The American entertainment magazine, Billboard, has drawn criticism online after resharing a June 2025 article that described Nigerian star Rema as a “one-hit wonder.”
The post, shared Sunday on its X account, reshared a ranking of 25 artistes it classified under that label, placing Rema at No. 6 for his global hit Calm Down, which features U.S. pop singer Selena Gomez.
In the article, the magazine stated that while the original version of the song gained traction on its U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, the remix with Gomez pushed it into mainstream success, peaking at No. 3 on the Hot 100. It added that the singer had not returned to that chart since, though he recorded six top-10 entries on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart as of June 7, 2025.
“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.
“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 resurfaced ranking triggered swift reactions online, with critics accusing the publication of downplaying the artiste’s catalogue and global influence. Others defended the classification, saying it was likely based on performance within the U.S. market.
An X user Pauline who identifies as #Pauline1318957 wrote, “Una dun really see Africans finish …rema of all people one hit wonder, make una enjoy..any disrespect Africans get from any field of life is all because of the bad leaders we have, whether it’s sports, pharmaceutical, entertainment, oil n gas, aviation..na bad governance cause am.
Yang, who tweets as Getme1082445, wrote, “All i could see is hate on Rema’s greatness, nothing more. Calm down was a global hit before Selena asked to jump on it..Rema has countless hits that the world know bro, because bro calm down is heading to break more records, you’re planning to give Selena the accolade”.
Ovie1 of Delta who writes as AjekpakoDante added, “They’re giving their verdict base on their own understanding, not the understanding of everyone. We shouldn’t kill ourselves base on the validation of others. Value what you have nd it would be cherish by others.”
Yorkshire Lass who tweets as #eyup_io wrote, “Aye, some of those tunes are great for a laugh at a party, but let’s be honest—it’s a real shame when a catchy tune is all you’ve got to show for your career! What do you reckon, light a candle for the ‘what could have been’?
“Clearly no Nigerians or even Africans were on your editorial team. To list Rema is outrageous, ew,” Wanderlust who identifies as #Erinma_2809 added.
The PUNCH