Entertainment
Rema’s ‘Calm Down Remix’ Makes History as First Afrobeats Song to Surpass 1 Billion Views on YouTube.
Nigerian singer Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has achieved a remarkable milestone with his hit song “Calm Down Remix,” featuring Selena Gomez. This collaboration has made history as the first Afrobeats song to reach over 1 billion views on YouTube. A recent review confirms that the music video, uploaded on Gomez’s YouTube channel two years ago, has surpassed this significant landmark, marking a new era for Nigerian music on global platforms.
In addition to setting a new record for YouTube, “Calm Down Remix” is also recognized as the fastest African song to achieve 1 billion views, reaching this phenomenal figure within just two years. The original version of the song has also enjoyed considerable success, accumulating over 619 million views.
This past August, the “Calm Down Remix” made waves once again by becoming the first African song to surpass the billion-stream mark on Spotify, currently boasting over 1.5 billion streams on the platform.
Rema’s resounding success with “Calm Down Remix” underscores the growing influence of Afrobeats on the global music scene and highlights the potential for further international collaborations in the future.
The Nigerian film industry is in mourning following the death of Kayode Peters, a renowned filmmaker and producer. The news was announced by his family on his official Instagram page, stating that he passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Toronto, Canada, after a long illness.
Peters, fondly known as KP, was celebrated for his contributions as a filmmaker, actor, and producer. He was known for his role as Koko in the popular sitcoms “Twilight Zone” and “Flatmates” in the early 2000s. His work also extended to stage plays and sitcoms like “Extended Family” and “Being Farouk,” significantly impacting Nigeria’s contemporary theatre and television landscape.
He is survived by his wife, Alexander, and their children. Funeral arrangements are underway, and further details will be shared by the family in due course. The industry and fans alike will deeply miss his warmth, generosity, and contributions to Nollywood.
Popular Nigerian skit maker, Carter Efe, has reportedly lost access to his Instagram and TikTok accounts. This development follows recent criticism leveled against Afrobeat artist Wizkid during a TikTok live stream.
Efe’s comments, in which he accused Wizkid of pride, triggered a backlash from Wizkid’s fanbase, known as Wizkid FC. Subsequently, Efe claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that his Instagram account, boasting 1.8 million followers, was taken down by Wizkid FC. He later released an apology video stating that his TikTok account had also been blocked.
Efe has appealed to Wizkid and Wizkid FC for forgiveness and the restoration of his accounts.
Gabriel Oche Amanyi, known as Terry G, has asserted his significant contribution to the Nigerian music landscape. The “Akpoko Master,” pioneer of the “Street-hop” movement in the 2010s, stated that his influence is undeniable when discussing cultural impact within the Nigerian music industry.
His comments, made via social media on Wednesday, arrive amidst ongoing discussions regarding impact and legacies, spurred by the recent exchange between Odumodublvck and Blaqbonez.
In his statement on X, Terry G declared, “You can’t talk about cultural impact in Nigeria without talking about Terry G. I am the culture!” This pronouncement underscores his belief in his lasting effect on the evolution of Nigerian music.
Federal Government Declares State of Emergency on Suleja-Minna Road.
Nollywood Mourns the Loss of Kayode Peters.
