Rema's Global Streaming Empire Challenges Billboard's Narrow Definition of Success
A recent resurfaced Billboard article from June 2025 has sparked controversy by labeling Nigerian superstar Rema as a one-hit wonder, placing him at No. 6 on such a list. The classification primarily relied on his performance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where his collaboration with Selena Gomez, "Calm Down," peaked at No. 3 in 2023, and noted his absence from that specific chart since then.
Billboard's assessment stated: "The No. 3-peaking 'Calm Down' was obviously not veteran pop superstar Gomez's only hit, but Rema has yet to make it to the Hot 100 again, although he has landed six top 10s on U.S. Afrobeats Songs." While this metric provides one perspective, it raises significant questions about whether a U.S.-centric chart should serve as the definitive measure of global artistic success, particularly for African artists whose influence spans multiple continents and markets.
The Streaming Numbers That Tell a Different Story
The broader data reveals a far more comprehensive picture of Rema's international impact. By the end of 2025, Rema had surpassed an astonishing 5.6 billion streams across all credits on Spotify alone. This represents total catalogue volume rather than a temporary spike from a single song. On YouTube, he finished 2025 as the most-streamed Nigerian artist globally with 868 million views, marking his third consecutive year holding this top position.
Sustained multi-platform dominance across several years contradicts the typical pattern of one-hit wonders, who usually experience brief visibility followed by decline. Rema's consistent streaming numbers indicate deep catalogue engagement, repeat listening habits, and strong global audience retention that extends well beyond any single track.
Catalogue Depth Beyond the Breakout Hit
Examining Rema's discography beyond "Calm Down" reveals multiple milestone records with impressive international performance:
- "Dumebi" (2019): His breakout single has accumulated over 179 million Spotify streams and earned Gold certification in France in 2021 after surpassing 15 million streams in that region.
- "Soundgasm" (2021): This track has crossed 200 million Spotify streams and received Silver certification in the United Kingdom for exceeding 200,000 units sold.
- "Charm" (2023): Certified Platinum in France for over 30 million streams and Silver in the UK, this song peaked at No. 77 on the French SNEP chart and No. 11 on Billboard's U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.
- "Baby (Is It a Crime)" (2025): Released in February 2025, this Sade-sampling record topped Spotify's Global Impact List as the most-exported Nigerian song early in the year and became the first Nigerian song to chart in over 70 countries on Apple Music within ten months.
- "FUN" (2025): Spent six consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Official Nigeria Top 100, becoming his longest-running domestic chart-topper while reaching No. 5 on Billboard's U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.
- "Secondhand" (2026): His collaboration with Don Toliver debuted at No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 on February 11, 2026, directly contradicting the narrative of his absence from that chart.
The Album That Redefined African Chart Longevity
Rema's 2022 debut album, 'Rave & Roses', has achieved remarkable chart milestones that further undermine the one-hit wonder classification. The project charted ten songs on the U.S. Billboard Afrobeats Chart in its debut week and later became the first African album to surpass 3 billion streams on Spotify.
Most significantly, 'Rave & Roses' holds the record as the longest-charting African album on the U.S. Billboard World Albums chart, spending an incredible 170 weeks on the tally. This represents more than three years of continuous chart presence, demonstrating catalogue strength that extends far beyond any single breakout moment.
Recognition and Recent Achievements
Rema earned his first Grammy nomination at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in early 2025, with his sophomore album 'HEIS' nominated for Best Global Music Album. Critics highlighted the project's experimentation and artistic range, with such recognition typically reflecting body-of-work impact rather than isolated hit success.
The 2025-2026 period has seen continued momentum, with "Secondhand" marking his return to the Billboard Hot 100 and multiple tracks achieving significant streaming milestones across platforms.
Contextualizing the Chart Debate
While Billboard's classification relies on the measurable standard of Hot 100 appearances, this approach presents a one-dimensional view when considered against the full scope of Rema's career achievements. When factoring in streaming totals exceeding 5.6 billion, international certifications across multiple territories, long-running album chart presence, and consistent multi-chart entries, the artist's profile becomes substantially more complex.
One-hit wonders are typically characterized by brief flashes of visibility followed by diminished relevance. Rema's career trajectory shows sustained growth, cross-market penetration, and catalogue depth maintained across several years. The charts offer one perspective, but his complete discography and global streaming dominance present a far more comprehensive narrative of enduring international success.
