Welcome to a captivating roundup of Guardian Life stories that have been making waves recently. From Rema’s groundbreaking musical achievements to Mercy’s emotional revelations about ambition and the double delight in Davido and Chioma’s life, we’ve got it all covered. And let’s not forget the historic musical milestone as Drake equals Michael Jackson’s Billboard No. 1 hits record. Join us on this exciting journey through the latest entertainment and cultural highlights.
Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ Sets New Records, Elevates ‘Afrobeats’ Worldwide
In a groundbreaking musical journey, Nigerian ‘afrobeat’ sensation, Rema, has etched his name in the annals of music history. His hit song, ‘Calm Down’, recently bid farewell to the Billboard Hot 100 chart after an astounding 57 weeks, marking an extraordinary milestone.
Chart Data, a revered music monitoring platform, has bestowed upon ‘Calm Down’ the coveted title of the “longest-charting and most successful African song of all time.” This remarkable feat surpasses the previous record held by fellow Nigerian ‘Afrobeats’ talent, Wizkid’s ‘Essence’, which charted for 35 weeks.
‘Calm Down’ made its grand entrance into the Billboard Hot 100 in September, a mere seven months after its initial release. Billboard magazine music analysts described it as a “melancholy slow jam with a subtle hypnotic draw,” enchanting music lovers across the globe.
A significant contributor to its global acclaim was the participation of American pop star, Selena Gomez, even in a relatively small role. Remarkably, ‘Calm Down’ ascended to the third position on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a watershed moment where an Afrobeats artist served as the lead artist.
Fans of Rema and Selena Gomez celebrated this historic achievement even as ‘Calm Down’ exited the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This chart-topper has shattered numerous records, becoming the most-streamed Afrobeats song on Spotify last month and the first African artist-led track to reach one billion streams on the platform.
The song spent an entire year on the Billboard Afrobeats chart, and its YouTube video amassed a staggering 673 million views, securing its position as the most-watched music video by a Nigerian artist.
With this remarkable international success, 23-year-old Rema joins the elite ranks of renowned Afrobeats artists such as, Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido. Furthermore, ‘Calm Down’ was honoured with the title of Best Afrobeats song at the MTV VMA Awards, cementing Rema’s place in the music industry and ensuring that Afrobeats continues to conquer the world stage
Mercy: Battling Ambition, Unwarranted Backlash
In a heartfelt interview, Mercy couldn’t hold back her tears as she expressed her disappointment over the lack of support she received during her time on the popular reality show, ‘Big Brother’. The Nigerian reality star revealed that despite giving her all in the competition, she felt let down by the apparent lack of support from her fellow contestants.
“It’s still in my head, and I’m not lying because it’s just pure hatred and wickedness what I went through. They almost made me feel like I’m wanting too much even though I don’t have it like that,” she shared with a heavy heart.
Davido
Davido And Chioma’s Double Delight
In an exuberant celebration, Nigerian afrobeat sensation Davido and his wife Chioma have embraced the joy of parenthood with the birth of their twins in Atlanta. While earlier reports hinted at the arrival of twins, the couple had remained mum on the subject. Now, multiple videos shared online reveal the exciting news to the world.
The footage captures the elated parents, Davido and Chioma, beaming with happiness as they receive heartfelt congratulations. In the background, a voice, presumably that of a proud grandparent, ushers the new mother inside while jubilantly exclaiming, “Our first ride is a Bentley,” an affectionate nod to the newborns.
Fans worldwide have greeted the news with fervor, offering their warmest congratulations to the couple.
This momentous occasion arrives following a tragic loss for Davido, who shared the devastating passing of his son, Ifeanyi, in 2022. The outpouring of support from people across the globe served as a source of strength during a difficult time.
While the genders of the twins remains a mystery, the Adeleke family’s official confirmation will undoubtedly bring further joy to the couple, making a remarkable and heartwarming chapter in their journey of parenthood.
