Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema has etched his name into the global music history books as his debut album, Rave & Roses Ultra, becomes the first African album to surpass 3 billion streams on YouTube Music.

This groundbreaking milestone is largely fueled by the global success of his chart-topping single “Calm Down” and its massively popular remix featuring Selena Gomez. The remix not only widened Rema’s reach into the international market but also played a key role in driving unprecedented streaming numbers.

Originally released in March 2022 under Jonzing World and Mavin Records, Rave & Roses was later re-released as Rave & Roses Ultra in April 2023, featuring four additional tracks. The album includes collaborations with global stars like 6lack, Chris Brown, AJ Tracey, and Yseult, showcasing Rema’s cross-cultural appeal.

In addition to the YouTube achievement, the album has racked up over 3.9 billion streams on Spotify, making it the most-streamed African album ever on the platform — and the first to cross the 2 billion mark there as well.

Rema’s unique sound, which blends Afrobeats with Middle Eastern and Indian influences — a style he dubs "Afrorave" — has resonated with audiences worldwide and contributed to the album’s massive success.

This landmark moment underscores not only Rema's rising global status but also the growing influence of African music on the world stage. His accomplishment signals a new era for the genre and sets the bar higher for artists across the continent.