Entertainment
Rema’s “Calm Down” Remix with Selena Gomez Hits 1 Billion YouTube Views
Nigerian music artist Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has set a remarkable record as his global hit “Calm Down Remix” centremerican pop star Selena Gomez becomes the first Afrobeats song to surpass 1 billion views on YouTube.
Released on Gomez’s YouTube channel two years ago, the “Calm Down Remix” has steadily climbed in popularity, ultimately achieving the billion-view mark—a first for any Nigerian artist.
This achievement reflects the rapid growth and mainstream acceptance of Afrobeats, a genre that originated in Nigeria and has since taken the world by storm.
The remix, which showcases Rema’s unique sound with Gomez’s soothing vocals, brought the song massive global attention, drawing in fans from various backgrounds and regions.
In addition to its YouTube success, “Calm Down Remix” holds another record as the fastest African song to reach 1 billion views on the platform, taking only two years to hit this milestone.
The original version of “Calm Down” has also proven immensely popular, amassing over 619 million views on YouTube, reflecting Rema’s ability to create music that resonates with both African and international audiences.
The remix made news on other platforms too, and in August last year, it achieved another groundbreaking record, becoming the first African song to cross 1 billion streams on Spotify.
Currently, it has accumulated more than 1.5 billion streams on the platform, showcasing its enduring popularity and the cross-cultural appeal of the collaboration.
The long-awaited trial in the murder case of legendary rapper Tupac Shakur has reached a major development, with Duane “Keffe D” Davis sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on October 13, 2026.
Davis was convicted of first-degree murder in August 2026 for his role in orchestrating the 1996 killing. Tupac was shot in a drive-by attack in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996, and died six days later.
During the sentencing, the judge addressed Davis, rejecting his claims that he had changed his life and moved on from his past. “Mr. Davis, for three years, I’ve heard you say some variation of the same thing to law enforcement, [in interviews], in your book, and it’s something like, ‘Yeah, I was involved in this, but I’m different. I’ve moved on. I got out of Compton. I’m a grandfather now.’ I’m here to tell you that’s not how this works,” the judge said.
She continued “You don’t get to take a man from his family. You don’t get to take his very life, his whole future from him, and just walk away from it. Especially when that man is Tupac Shakur.
“The world never forgot about him and his death, and neither did Las Vegas. It took us 30 years, but at this time, you are going to face justice for what you did on Sept. 7, 1996.”
Nollywood actor Timini Egbuson has reflected on how his perception of YouTube movies has changed over the years. The actor recalled that there was a time when he looked down on movies released on YouTube.
However, he now appreciates the opportunities they have provided for his career and joked that he might have struggled financially if he had continued to dismiss them.
Sharing his thoughts in a post on X, Egbuson wrote “Can’t believe I was looking down on YouTube movies at some point. Hunger go don kpai me by now.”
Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo has advised young people who are still living with their parents not to rush into moving out because of peer pressure.
The singer encouraged young people to focus on their personal circumstances rather than compare their lives with those of others. He noted that there is no need to leave their parents’ homes simply because they want to feel independent.
Sharing his advice, Dakolo said “No hurry, leave your papa house because of peer pressure. Forget all that, ‘I don’t have my freedom here.’”
Judge Tells Duane Davis He Must Face Justice for Tupac’s Murder
Timini Egbuson Reflects on Embracing YouTube Movies in Nollywood
