American music powerhouse Billboard has come under heavy criticism after resharing an article that classified Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Rema, born Divine Ikubor, as a “one-hit wonder.” The debate erupted after Billboard reposted its June 2025 ranking titled “The 25 Biggest One-Hit Wonders of the 21st Century,” placing Rema at No. 6 based strictly on his performance on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The ranking centers around Rema’s 2022 global smash hit Calm Down and its hugely successful remix featuring American pop star Selena Gomez. While the original version gained momentum on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, the remix propelled the track into mainstream American success, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. According to Billboard’s metrics, although Rema has secured six top-10 entries on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart as of June 7, 2025, he has not returned to the Hot 100 since the massive success of Calm Down, qualifying him under their criteria as a one-hit wonder.
However, the classification has sparked widespread disagreement online, with many fans and industry observers arguing that the label ignores Rema’s broader global achievements. Long before Calm Down dominated international charts, Rema had already built a strong catalogue with records like Dumebi, Iron Man, and Woman, which cemented his place as one of Afrobeats’ most exciting exports. His debut album, Rave & Roses, reached the Top 10 on the UK Albums Chart and amassed billions of streams worldwide, further reinforcing his international appeal.
Supporters also point to his global touring presence, including performances at major festivals such as Coachella and Wireless Festival, as well as collaborations with international stars like Chris Brown and 6lack. For many, these accomplishments paint the picture of a global superstar whose influence extends far beyond one song on a single chart.
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On the other hand, some industry analysts have defended Billboard’s ranking, emphasizing that the list is strictly based on performance within the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and does not account for international streaming numbers, global chart placements, touring revenue, or cultural impact. This has reignited discussions about whether U.S.-centric chart systems accurately measure the worldwide reach of genres like Afrobeats, which has experienced explosive growth across Africa, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
As of press time, Rema has not publicly responded to the ranking, but the conversation continues to dominate social media timelines. Whether viewed through the lens of U.S. chart performance or global influence, one thing remains clear: Rema has played a significant role in pushing Afrobeats further into the international spotlight, and the debate surrounding his classification highlights the evolving nature of music success in the streaming era.
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