By Dipo Olowookere
A fast-rising music act in Nigeria, Divine Ikubor, professionally known as Rema, has achieved a remarkable milestone with his hit single, Calm Down.
The smash-hit song has recorded one billion streams on the prominent audio streaming platform, Spotify, joining the prestigious Billions Club of the company, the first African artist-led track to achieve such.
“It’s a blessing,” Rema enthused, emphasising that, “It’s not just a big win for me, my team and my family; it’s also a big one for the culture.”
The singer, who disclosed in March that he abandoned his admission to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) due to the industrial action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), said, “I feel really happy, and I’m really proud of the fans as well for going back to the song and putting people on the song. Shout out to the DJs and everyone who made this possible.”
Rema ranks among the top 10 most streamed Afrobeats artists on the platform, according to data from Spotify, confirming his artistry and global appeal.
Business Post reports that Calm Down by Rema was able to amass such significant streams on Spotify because of the influence of an American singer, Selena Gomez, who featured in the remix version of the song, widening the reach of the tune.
Calm Down quickly became a worldwide favourite because of its catchy mix of Afrobeats rhythms, blended with afro-fusion melodies, and Rema’s unique and soulful singing.
The song production was made with a combination of modern and traditional elements, showing how African music is changing and growing.
“This milestone is absolutely remarkable for Rema, marking a pivotal moment for this talented artist and the entire Afrobeats community.
“It’s clear that the genre is making a significant impact and gaining substantial influence on the global music stage, and we are excited to continue supporting it at Spotify,” Spotify’s Artist and Label Partnerships Manager for West Africa, Mr Victor Okpala, commented.
Rema’s unique sound has propelled him to the forefront of the global music stage, with the song having its highest streams from the USA, India, Mexico, Brazil and the UK.
The song’s infectious chorus and relatable lyrics have made it a go-to track for both dance floors and personal playlists, with data showing that Calm Down has been added to over a million Spotify playlists.
Business Post Contributor