American music publication Billboard has drawn sharp criticism online after resharing a June 2025 article that described Nigerian recording artist Rema as a “one-hit wonder.”
The post, shared on Sunday through the magazine’s official X account, revived a previously published ranking of 25 artistes categorized under the one-hit wonder label. In that list, Rema was placed at number six, with his global single “Calm Down” cited as the defining record of his international career.
The song, originally released in 2022, gained further commercial momentum through a remix featuring American pop star Selena Gomez. The collaboration significantly expanded the track’s reach, pushing it into mainstream pop markets across North America and Europe and setting new streaming and chart records for an Afrobeats act.
In the resurfaced article, Billboard argued that although Rema had begun building visibility in the United States with the original version of “Calm Down” through its performance on the U.S. Afrobeats chart, his broader crossover breakthrough occurred after the Gomez-assisted remix. The publication positioned the collaboration as the decisive factor that propelled the record into global pop dominance.
The characterization has since triggered debate among fans, industry observers, and Afrobeats stakeholders. Critics contend that labeling Rema a one-hit wonder overlooks a catalogue that includes charting projects, sold-out international tours, and multiple high-performing singles across African and global streaming platforms. Supporters further argue that the description diminishes the wider impact of Afrobeats artists who have steadily built international audiences beyond a single crossover record.
The controversy also highlights an ongoing conversation about how African musicians are framed in Western music media, particularly when their global recognition is tied to collaborations with established American pop figures. For many commentators, the issue is less about the success of “Calm Down” and more about whether a single global smash should define an artist whose career trajectory extends beyond one record.
As debate continues online, neither Rema nor his representatives have publicly responded to the renewed classification. The episode, however, has reignited scrutiny over the criteria and cultural context behind the “one-hit wonder” label in an increasingly global music industry.
