₦airaland Forum

American music publication Billboard has come under fire after resharing an article that classified Nigerian Afrobeats star Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, as a “one-hit wonder.”

The post, shared Sunday on the magazine’s official X account, referenced a June 2025 ranking titled “The 25 Biggest One-Hit Wonders of the 21st Century,” where Rema was placed at No. 6 based on the U.S. chart performance of his 2022 global smash hit Calm Down, particularly its remix featuring American pop star Selena Gomez.

“‎After releasing the original “lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-wo-wo-wo-wo”-ing version of “Calm Down” in 2023, Nigeria’s Rema noticed it breaking on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.

He took a swing and recruited Gomez for the female vocal and, shockingly, she agreed. “I had my fingers crossed,” he told Billboard,” the article reads.


According to Billboard, while the original version of Calm Down gained traction on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, the remix propelled it into mainstream success, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The publication noted that although Rema has since recorded six top-10 entries on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart as of June 7, 2025, he has not returned to the Hot 100.

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, through the June 7, 2025, chart.”


The ranking quickly sparked debate online, with critics arguing that the label fails to reflect Rema’s broader international success. Many pointed to his extensive catalogue, including tracks such as Dumebi, Iron Man, and Woman, as well as his debut album Rave & Roses, which reached the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart. Supporters also highlighted his global tours, festival appearances at events like Coachella and Wireless Festival, and collaborations with artists such as Chris Brown and 6lack.

Others, however, defended Billboard’s rankings, noting that the classification appears to be strictly based on performance within the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, rather than global streaming numbers or international chart achievements.

The renewed attention has reignited discussions about the limitations of U.S.-centric metrics in measuring the global reach of Afrobeats, a genre that has expanded significantly beyond American chart frameworks in recent years.

Rema has not publicly responded to the ranking as of press time


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/02/billboard-labels-rema-a-one-hit-wonder-faces-backlash/

Till today I don't know how Afrobeats has helped the Nigerian course.

Many of the so called artist travel abroad to live life
They come back to collect extionist fee for a show then travel back

China don't have Afrobeats, nobody is streaming their music but their solid science back ground has set them apart from their peers.

Though Rema is just a happy go lucky, he hasn't been tested.

I wish him well

Call a spade a spade. No lies detected!

The truth is always bitter.

Why are our artiste always seeking American validation?

Once these American music media label you one hit wonder they will do everything to make sure you remain there ..Rema got their attention and instead of him to start making more songs for them like Tyla he came back and started doing that Kelebu nonsense sound...only Nigerians will accept such nonsense because they are used to accepting nonsense from their govt daily

It’s annoying that it’s one of his worst tracks which got international recognition. Selena made Calm Down listenable — the opposite of what Justin Bieber did on Essence.

Billboard is not wrong. They meant one-hit wonder on the international scene. Rema has the potential to replace Davido or Wizkid at the Top 3 but he's not living up to it lately. Well there's still enough time for him to prove Billboard wrong.

Asides calm down, none of his other hits made it to the mainstream billboard charts.

Is this a compliment or a spit
We dey wonder

He is truly a one hit wonder. That's just the fact. If na lie, let him give us another banger na.

.. but sincerely speaking, Calm Down is an EVERGREEN BANGER. Andre Vibes in particular deserves bigger accolades for producing that mad beat for Rema

Why the backlash

After the waves of Baby Calm Down....any other thing from Rema that made it to top 100 Bill Board Chart

So,where is the iie

Ok americans are complaining ? His music is largely for the african audience nah. Its like expecting Taylor Swift to be dragging with Tiwa on the Nigerian top 100

SalamRushdie:
Once these American music media label you one hit wonder they will do everything to make sure you remain there ..Rema got their attention and instead of him to start making more songs for them like Tyla he came back and started doing that Kelebu nonsense sound...only Nigerians will accept such nonsense because they are used to accepting nonsense from their govt daily

I swr we dey collect nonsense from our government like mad

adioolayi:
Why the backlash

After the waves of Baby Calm Down....any other thing from Rema that made it to Bill Board Chart

So,where is the iie

Why not use nigerian chart instead of billboard chart? That is the problem. They do this to maintain authority over you.

Same as Roddy Rich.

Am i wrong?

LabStores:
Is this a compliment or a spit
We dey wonder

For me it is a compliment.

Rema songs are not bad. It must be said..

Make we nor lie. Let’s just “CALM DOWN” and we will see the truth in what they said

frank417:
Why not use nigerian chart instead of billboard chart? That is the problem. They do this to maintain authority over you.

But it's all about top 100 billboard charts

Ironfaceman:
Till today I don't know how Afrobeats has helped the Nigerian course.

Many of the so called artist travel abroad to live life
They come back to collect extionist fee for a show then travel back

China don't have Afrobeats, nobody is streaming their music but their solid science back ground has set them apart from their peers.

Though Rema is just a happy go lucky, he hasn't been tested.

I wish him well

That's because Africans are better in the heart. Singing, dancing and sports that is strength

Afrobeat has not help Nigeria and Africa in any way. It has not added anything valuable to Nigeria. It only benefits the singer and the producer.

Rema dey sing like who put hot yam for mouth.

Let's face it, his songs are childish

If Rema na one hit wonder, wetin you go call portable

Ironfaceman:
Till today I don't know how Afrobeats has helped the Nigerian course.

Many of the so called artist travel abroad to live life
They come back to collect extionist fee for a show then travel back

China don't have Afrobeats, nobody is streaming their music but their solid science back ground has set them apart from their peers.

Though Rema is just a happy go lucky, he hasn't been tested.

I wish him well

So because chinese music is stupid we should do what?

No lies....by American standards he's a one-hit wonder

Lol wetin Dem go come talk about CKay....



There are artist I always root for like Runtown too...




Psy Gnamnam style a Chinese song is still doing number is a one time wonder....

As Dem no fit keep to the consistency mak Billboard chop am like that...


Don jazzy said on Calm down PR alone they spend 5M USD he no easy....

So what if he has not returned to the Hot 100? How many others did not return? He got 6 on the charts since ...how many did the others get? Must one be on Billboard to be recognized? Here are many artistes over the years that have been one hit wonders ... because they were blacklisted after refusing to sell their soul to the devil in exchange for fame and fortune . Maybe Rema was offered and refused now they are trying to shade him.

These people now know if they want to trend they should mention nigeria. Ignore them. we should know better. Work on improving our local awards and they will scramble here to be recognized

Goodmarlian:
Why are our artiste always seeking American validation?

I wonder oooo
Although I dey Yankeee but our Guys are doing well and should stick to African contents

dominique:
Asides calm down, none of his other hits made it to the mainstream billboard charts.

Nigerians just don’t like the truth.