Entertainment

Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ Falls Off Billboard Hot 100 After Making History

Published

2 years ago

October 17, 2023

After an incredible record of 57 weeks, Afrobeats superstar Rema’s hit song featuring American star Selena Gomez has fallen off the global music chart, Billboard Hot 100.

This was confirmed in a post on X by music monitoring platform Chart Data which reads: “REMA and Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down” departs the Hot 100 this week.

It made history, becoming the longest-charting and most successful African song of all time.”

REMA and Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down” departs the Hot 100 this week.

It made history, becoming the longest charting and most successful African song of all-time.

Calm Down – Africa’s biggest chart-topping song of all time

Rema’s Calm Down is the highest charting Nigerian and African song of all time and it broke the 35-week record previously held by fellow Nigerian Afrobeats star Wizkid’s song Essence ft. Tems and Justin Bieber.

The remix of the song which features Selena Gomez was released in August 2022 and debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 2022, peaking at number three. It marked Rema’s first top-ten hit and Gomez’s ninth.

The Billboard Hot 100 is the most prestigious music ranking in the US, and Rema’s song is the highest-charting song on which an Afrobeats musician was the lead artist.

The song has also led the U.S. Afrobeats Songs for a record-setting 57 weeks, it reached number one on both the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs and the Billboard Global Excl. US charts, and peaked at number three on the Global 200 chart.

More records and achievements

Calm Down also entered into the Guinness World Record as the First No.1 Hit on The Official MENA Chart (the world’s first regional streaming chart) and reached number one on the Canadian Top Songs chart.

The amazing song, which Billboard magazine music analysts described as “a melancholy slow jam with a subtle hypnotic draw”, has enjoyed massive raves amongst global music listeners and has also caught the attention of music enthusiasts worldwide since its release.

Vanguard also reviewed the song as a feelgood smash hit and noted that Selena Gomez’s “melodic tune complements Rema’s vibe perfectly, maintaining the same energy as the original release.”

Calm Down’s massive global popularity is partly due to American pop star Selena Gomez featuring on the song albeit for a short part.

The song has won a plethora of awards and has shattered more than a dozen records.

Last month, the song won the inaugural Best Afrobeats song at the MTV VMA Awards, edging out other popular Afrobeats artists and it also became the most streamed Afrobeats song on Spotify and the first African artist-led song to hit one billion streams on the music platform.

Calm Down is also the first song to spend one year on the Billboard Afrobeats chart and its YouTube video, with 673 million views, is the most watched music video by a Nigerian artist.

The massive recognition and success of Calm Down in the international music scene has placed 23-year-old Rema into the ranks of prominent Afrobeats superstars such as Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy.
VANGUARD

REMA and Selena Gomez's "Calm Down" departs the Hot 100 this week.
It made history, becoming the longest charting and most successful African song of all-time. pic.twitter.com/6fiTR5R5vm
— chart data (@chartdata) October 17, 2023

Entertainment

2Face Controversy: Family, Friends Speak Out Amid Apology Backlash

Published

11 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

The recent public apology issued by Nigerian music legend, 2Face Idibia, over his comments on men and commitment has sparked a heated debate, with family and friends weighing in on the controversy.

According to reports, 2Face’s apology was met with skepticism, with many believing he was forced to retract his statement.

Media personality, Daddy Freeze, claimed that 2Face was being controlled by someone, while former dancehall star, Cynthia Morgan, accused 2Face’s wife, Natasha Osawaru, of allegedly forcing him to issue the apology.

In a shocking turn of events, 2Face’s brother, Charles Idibia (Charlybrave), penned an emotional open letter to the singer, accusing Natasha of manipulation and control.

Charlybrave detailed alleged instances of Natasha’s meddling, including isolating 2Face from his business and personal life.

Meanwhile, media personality, Do2dtun, expressed concern over 2Face’s well-being, stating that the singer’s apology video seemed unnatural. Do2dtun believes 2Face needs help and recommended therapy, suggesting that someone was exploiting his vulnerability.

The situation has raised questions about the dynamics of 2Face’s personal life and the impact of his public apology.

As the debate continues, many are calling on 2Face to prioritise his well-being and take action to protect himself.

With family and friends speaking out, the controversy surrounding 2Face’s apology is unlikely to die down anytime soon. One thing is certain, however, 2Face’s fans and the public are eager to see how this situation unfolds.

Entertainment

Meet First African Artiste Who Get Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star

Published

2 days ago

July 3, 2025

Editor

Five-time Grammy Award-winning singer Angelique Kidjo is poised to make history as the first African artiste to be honoured with a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Renowned for her powerful vocals, genre-blending music, and dynamic stage presence, Angelique Kidjo will be recognised in the “Recordings” category. She joins a celebrated lineup of honorees that includes Miley Cyrus and The Clark Sisters.

This prestigious honour acknowledges Kidjo’s decades-long contribution to music and her enduring commitment to sharing African culture and sounds with the global community.

The honorees were selected by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s Walk of Fame selection panel from hundreds of nominations during a June 20 meeting. The Chamber’s board of directors approved the selections on June 25.

The Walk of Fame Class of 2026 features 35 prominent figures across the entertainment spectrum, including music, film, television, live performance, and sports.

“We are excited to announce the newest selections of 35 esteemed individuals who will be enshrined onto the Walk of Fame,” said Peter Roth, former CEO of Warner Bros. Television and chairman of the Walk of Fame selection committee, in a statement.

“These talented individuals have made significant contributions to the world of entertainment, and we are thrilled to honor them with this well-deserved recognition.”

Full List of 2026 Walk of Fame Honorees

Recordings

Air Supply
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Paulinho da Costa
The Clark Sisters
Miley Cyrus
Josh Groban
Intocable
Angélique Kidjo
Lyle Lovett
Motion Pictures

Emily Blunt
Timothée Chalamet
Chris Columbus
Marion Cotillard
Keith David
Rami Malek
Rachel McAdams
Demi Moore
Franco Nero
Deepika Padukone
Molly Ringwald
Stanley Tucci
Carlo Ramboldi (Posthumous)
Tony Scott (Posthumous)
Television

Greg Daniels
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Lucero
Chef Gordon Ramsay
Melody Thomas Scott
Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos (double ceremony)
Bradley Whitford
Noah Wyle
Live Theatre/Performance

Lea Salonga
Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias
Sports Entertainment

Shaquille O’Neal
The date of Angélique Kidjo’s star unveiling ceremony has not yet been announced.

Now 64, the Beninese-French singer continues to be celebrated for her boundary-pushing artistry, visually captivating music videos, and role as a cultural ambassador. In addition to her five Grammy Awards, she received the 2023 Polar Music Prize. A vocal activist and actress, Kidjo is widely considered one of Africa’s greatest music icons.

Entertainment

‘This Is Not Me’ – 2Baba Apologises To Wife Natasha, Children Over Controversial Comments

Published

3 days ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

Popular Nigerian singer Innocent Idibia, better known as 2Baba, has issued a heartfelt apology to his wife, Natasha, and their children following the backlash from a controversial statement he made about male sexuality and monogamy.

During a recent appearance on the 234 Mzansi podcast hosted by Nedu and others, the award-winning singer claimed it is “nearly impossible” for a man to remain sexually involved with only one woman, even if he deeply loves her. The remark quickly sparked widespread criticism and intense public debate.

In a remorseful post shared via his Instagram page on Wednesday, 2Baba acknowledged the gravity of his words and the hurt they caused.

He said, “I know I fxxked up with what I said. I know I am going to pay dearly for it. I’m going to pay the heavy price for this, you know; I said what I said, man. I didn’t say it appropriately.

“This is my situation; there is no excuse. I own up to that. I have hurt so many people – my fans, people that hold me up in high esteem, and millions of people who look up to me. This is not me; I’m terribly sorry for allowing myself, but one thing I’m sure of is that I’m sorry to my wife, the love of my life, Natasha. She is amazing, wonderful and smart. I’m so sorry. And also to my kids: you don’t deserve the kind of things I put them into.

“I’m Tuface Idibia; I’m 2Baba. I’m fortunate enough to have achieved a lot to have people look up to me. They call me the legend, but this talk of mine was quite unlegendary. I feel bad I own up to my mistakes.

“I know I will pay the price, but I just expressed myself. It’s something I thought we just said; we looked at it as a cruise, but the amount of response I got made me see the amount of love and respect people have for me, and for me to make that stupid statement, it cancelled everything. People that know me know that that’s not who I am. I dey talk some kinds of things.

“My music speaks for me.” I know you will be wondering if it’s the same person that said that thing.”