Nigerian sensation Divine Ikubor, widely known as Rema, has clinched the title of the world’s most Shazammed song of 2023 with his hit track, ‘Calm Down.’ This groundbreaking achievement marks the first time an African song has claimed the top spot on the Global Shazam Year-End list.
‘Calm Down’ outshone international contenders, surpassing Miley Cyrus’ ‘Flowers’ and Lady Gaga’s ‘Bloody Mary,’ which secured the second and third positions respectively. The global recognition is a testament to the rising influence and global appeal of African music on the world stage.
Adding another feather to its cap, the remix of ‘Calm Down’ featuring Selena Gomez secured the 12th spot on the list of the most-streamed songs globally on Apple Music in 2023. In the United States, the song ranked at No. 45, showcasing its widespread popularity across borders.
Rema’s impact on the music scene extends beyond Shazam and streaming platforms. The artist has carved his name into the 2023 Billboard Year-End Charts with a remarkable 34 appearances, making him the African artist with the most entries. These appearances span various categories, including artistes’ year-end charts, airplay, albums, and song chart entries.
The success of ‘Calm Down’ and Rema’s overall dominance in global music charts underscore the growing recognition of African artists and their unique contributions to the music industry. As Rema continues to break barriers, his achievements serve as an inspiration to artists across the continent and affirm Africa’s position as a formidable force in the global music landscape.
