Billboard Faces Backlash For Calling Rema One-Hit Wonder

American entertainment magazine Billboard has sparked outrage online after resurfacing a June 2025 article that labeled Nigerian star Rema a “one-hit wonder.”

The post, shared Sunday on Billboard’s X account, ranked 25 artists under that label, placing Rema at No. 6 for his global hit Calm Down, which features U.S. pop singer Selena Gomez.

Billboard’s article noted that while the original version of Calm Down gained traction on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, the remix with Gomez pushed the song to mainstream success, peaking at No. 3 on the Hot 100. The magazine added that Rema has yet to return to the Hot 100, although he had recorded six top-10 entries on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart as of June 7, 2025.

“After releasing the original Calm Down in 2023, Rema noticed it breaking on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. He recruited Gomez for the remix, and shockingly, she agreed. ‘I had my fingers crossed,’ he told Billboard,” the article read.

The resurfaced ranking immediately drew criticism from fans, who accused the publication of downplaying Rema’s catalogue and global influence. Others defended the label, noting that it likely reflected performance on the U.S. charts rather than his overall impact.

On X, user Pauline (#Pauline1318957) wrote, “Rema of all people called a one-hit wonder? Africans are always disrespected in every field—sports, entertainment, oil and gas—because of bad governance.”

Yang (@Getme1082445) added, “Calm Down was a global hit before Selena joined. Rema has countless hits; this song is still breaking records. They’re trying to give Selena the credit instead.”

Ovie1 (@AjekpakoDante) said, “They’re judging based on their own view, not reality. We shouldn’t depend on external validation. Value what you have, and it will be cherished.”

Other fans also reacted. Wanderlust (#Erinma_2809) wrote, “No Nigerians or Africans on your editorial team, clearly. Listing Rema as a one-hit wonder is outrageous.” Yorkshire Lass (#eyup_io) added, “Some of those tunes are fun, but it’s a shame when a catchy song is all you’re remembered for. What could have been?”

The incident underscores ongoing tensions over how international media portrays African artists, with fans defending Rema’s achievements and global influence.