Nigerian Afrobeat superstar Divine Ikubor, also known as Rema, has continued his impressive success on the international charts as his “Calm Down” remix featuring Selena Gomez tops the Billboard Pop Airplay chart (dated May 13).
Rema becomes the list's first leader with the song, which was released by Jonzing World, Mavin, SMG Music, Virgin, and Interscope Records.
Gomez earns her fourth Pop Airplay No. 1 after earning three straight ones in 2015–16 with “Hands to Myself” (for one week in April 2016), “Same Old Love” (for two weeks, January 2016), and “Good for You,” with A$AP Rocky (for two, September–October 2015).
After becoming each artist's first No. 1, “Calm Down
The original version of “Calm Down
The longest reign since the chart's inception a little over a year ago, “Calm Down” has topped the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart in collaboration with music festival and international brand Afro Nation for 35 weeks (through the May 6-dated poll). It makes history as the first song to top both charts.
Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs No. 1s – Pop Airplay Peaks:
“Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah),” CKay – No. 20
“Essence,” Wizkid feat. Justin Bieber & Tems – No. 21
“Peru,” Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran – No. 22
“Last Last,” Burna Boy – did not chart
“Free Mind,” Tems – did not chart
“I think the magic behind this track lies in the combination of the fresh sounding Afrobeat, paired with the familiarity of Selena Gomez,” says Matt Mony, program director of Pop Airplay reporter WYOY Jackson, Miss., which has played “Calm Down” more than 1,100 times, dating to its first spin in August 2022, according to Mediabase, which provides Luminate data for Billboard's airplay charts. “I think with the strategy of bringing a familiar voice to an unfamiliar sound, records like this have huge potential in reaching a completely new audience.”
