Nigerian music sensation Rema has made history. His debut album, ‘Rave & Roses Ultra’, has become the first African album to hit 3 billion streams on YouTube Music.
This milestone places the young Afrobeats star, born Divine Ikubor, in a league of his own. No other African artist has achieved this level of success on the global video-streaming platform.
A review by New Daily Prime on Thursday confirmed the streaming record. The numbers show that ‘Rave & Roses Ultra’ has surpassed the 3 billion mark on YouTube Music, setting a new standard for African music on the platform.
Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ leads the way
The album’s massive success owes much to its standout hit, ‘Calm Down’. The track was already a major hit in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. However, its reach exploded with the release of a remix featuring American pop star Selena Gomez.
The remix introduced Rema’s sound to millions of new listeners across the globe. The original and remix versions of ‘Calm Down’ combined have accounted for a significant chunk of the 3 billion streams on YouTube Music.
‘Calm Down’ became a global anthem. It dominated charts in multiple countries, received heavy rotation on international radio, and sparked countless fan-made videos and dance challenges on social media.
Success beyond YouTube
Rema’s success isn’t limited to YouTube. The Ultra version of ‘Rave & Roses’ has also become the most-streamed African album on Spotify, with over 3.9 billion streams to date.
The album made history on Spotify by being the first African project to cross 2 billion streams. It remains the only Nigerian album to surpass that threshold on the platform.
This multi-platform achievement underscores Rema’s growing influence not just in Africa but across the global music scene. His blend of Afrobeats, pop, and trap has found a devoted international audience.
A new era for afrobeats
Rema’s success reflects a larger trend: the global rise of Afrobeats. Over the past few years, artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tems have introduced the sound to new audiences worldwide.
Now, with this record-breaking milestone, Rema has pushed African music even further into the global spotlight.
His chart-topping album includes other hit tracks like ‘Holiday,’ ‘Charm,’ and ‘Soundgasm,’ which have each helped attract millions of fans. The Ultra edition added new material and fresh energy to the original album, which was first released in March 2022.
Industry reactions pour in
Fans and fellow musicians have flooded social media with praise. Many have called Rema’s achievement a defining moment for Nigerian music. Music critics and industry professionals say the record proves that African artists can compete and win on the biggest stages in the world.
A Lagos-based music executive said, “This is a massive moment for the culture. Rema has opened doors and raised the bar for everyone coming after him.”
More than just numbers
While the streaming numbers are impressive, they also reflect something deeper: a genuine global connection. Rema’s music speaks to a new generation. His themes of love, youth, ambition, and freedom resonate far beyond Nigeria’s borders.
His success shows the power of digital platforms in breaking down barriers and amplifying African voices.
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