Rema’s “Calm Down” Hits One Billion Views, Bringing New Revenue for Afrobeats Star

Rema’s 2022 single “Calm Down”, featuring Selena Gomez, has crossed one billion views on YouTube, becoming the first Afrobeats track to hit this milestone.

The video’s success, achieved on Nov. 9, signals a notable financial impact, as estimates suggest Rema could earn around $5 million from the streaming platform.

The song’s broad appeal, aided by Gomez’s collaboration, helped “Calm Down” peak at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and secure 7x platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also received the Best Afrobeats award at the 2023 MTV VMAs.

The one billion-stream mark puts the recent Grammy nominee in an elite league of artists who have reached such heights on YouTube. As the Afrobeats genre and its influence continue to expand, Rema’s achievement stands as a significant milestone in Afrobeats’ journey toward worldwide recognition.