Billboard Faces Backlash For Calling Rema A ‘One-Hit Wonder’

U.S. entertainment magazine Billboard has faced backlash after resharing a June 2025 article that called Nigerian singer Rema a “one-hit wonder.”

The post, shared on Sunday via Billboard’s X page, highlighted a list of 25 artists labeled as one-hit wonders, placing Rema at number six for his global hit “Calm Down,” which featured American singer Selena Gomez.

The original article noted that while Rema had already started gaining attention in the U.S. with the original version of “Calm Down” on the Afrobeats chart, his mainstream breakthrough came after the remix with Gomez.

The remix reached No. 3 on the Hot 100 chart, but the article pointed out that Rema has not returned to the Hot 100 since then, although he has achieved six top-10 entries on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart as of June 7, 2025.

The resurfaced post quickly drew criticism online, with many accusing Billboard of underestimating Rema’s talent and disregarding his broader accomplishments.

One social media user wrote: “All i could see is hate on Rama’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”.

Another linked the remark to leadership issues in Africa, arguing that disrespect toward Africans in various fields stems from bad governance rather than lack of talent

“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,” the user wrote.

See the reactions below:

KanyiDaily recalls that South African singer, Tyla Laura Seethal expressed her desire to take Rema on a prom date.