By Jemimah Chungu
Streaming and sales statistics have become the modern metrics for measuring an artist’s popularity and the appeal of their songs as Nigeria’s Rema, with his sensational hit “Calm Down” featuring American singer Selena Gomez, conquering the streaming era of 2023, surpassing an impressive 1 billion streams on Spotify, the renowned American streaming platform.
This achievement places Rema shoulder to shoulder with industry giants such as Taylor Swift, Drake, and Miley Cyrus, solidifying his position in the highly competitive landscape of streaming statistics.
Beyond the numbers, “Calm Down” has earned the title of the most Shazamed African song in 2023, a remarkable feat accompanied by sold-out tours, marking Rema as a global musical powerhouse.
The streaming success story doesn’t end with Rema alone. Amapiano and Afrobeat artists are making waves across borders, exemplified by Davido’s “Unbelievable,” which boasts more than 40 million streams on Spotify.
Arya Star’s “Rush” and Tyla’s solo venture with “Water” have secured spots in the Billboard Top 20, contributing to the global recognition of Afrobeat and Amapiano genres.
However, amid these triumphs lies the untold narrative of undiscovered brilliance.
Talented artists, thriving on streaming platforms beyond the mainstream, like Boomplay, often grapple with limited chances of broader recognition despite amassing billions of streams.
As the entertainment industry undergoes transformative shifts, a pertinent question emerges: Should recognition be confined to mainstream platforms, or is it time to acknowledge the triumphs on smaller, local streaming services?
The streaming era, while democratizing access to music, also challenges the industry to ensure that success transcends the limitations of popular platforms.
Rema’s journey to a billion streams is not merely a personal victory but a reflection of the evolving dynamics in the music industry.
The narrative continues to unfold, with artists worldwide anticipating their moment in the streaming sun, regardless of the platform that amplifies their art.
