Nigeria’s globe-trotting musical talent, Jonzing World star Rema, and American pop star Selena Gomez have won a 2023 MTV Video Music Award.
The duo took home the award in the inaugural Best Afrobeats category for their smash hit “Calm Down.”
The song pipped Ayra Starr’s “Rush”, BurnaBoy’s “It’s Plenty”, Davido feat. Musa Key’s “Unavailable”, Libianca’s “People”, Wizkid feat. Ayra Starr’s “2 Sugar,” and Fireboy DML’s “Bandana” for Best Afrobeats.
“Calm Down” was also nominated in the “Song of the Year” category and the “Best Collaboration” category.
This win follows Rema’s historic feat as the first African artist to reach a billion streams on Spotify with his song “Calm Down,” featuring Selena Gomez.
In his speech, Rema thanked his fans, his team, Selena Gomez, and Nigerian music icons 2Baba, DonJazzy, D’Banj, D’Prince, Runtown, Timaya, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido for their pioneering work in Afrobeats and also thanked the new generation for their efforts in continuing the trend to take Afrobeats to greater heights.
First released on February 11, 2022, “Calm Down” is the second single from Rema’s debut studio album, “Rave & Roses.”
The remix with Selena Gomez was released on August 25, 2022, and since then, it has been a global hit. Rema posted a celebratory message on his social media after he earned his first career Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with the remix of the global record “Calm Down.”
See his speech below and the highlights of his appearance below:
See the full list of winners below:
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Doja Cat – “Attention”
Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl”
Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire”
Sam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy”
SZA – “Kill Bill”
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” WINNER
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Beyoncé
Doja Cat
Karol G
Nicki Minaj
Shakira
Taylor Swift
SONG OF THE YEAR
Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire”
Rema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down”
Sam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy”
Steve Lacy – “Bad Habit”
SZA – “Kill Bill”
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” WINNER
BEST NEW ARTIST
GloRilla
Ice Spice *WINNER
Kaliii
Peso Pluma
PinkPantheress
Reneé Rapp
PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
August 2022: Saucy Santana – “Booty”
September 2022: Stephen Sanchez – “Until I Found You”
October 2022: JVKE – “golden hour”
November 2022: Flo Milli – “Conceited”
December 2022: Reneé Rapp – “Colorado”
January 2023: Sam Ryder – “All The Way Over”
February 2023: Armani White – “GOATED”
March 2023: Fletcher – “Becky’s So Hot”
April 2023: Tomorrow X Together – “Sugar Rush Ride” WINNER
May 2023: Ice Spice – “Princess Diana”
June 2023: FLO – “Losing You”
July 2023: Lauren Spencer Smith – “That Part”
BEST COLLABORATION
David Guetta & Bebe Rexha – “I’m Good (Blue)”
Post Malone, Doja Cat – “I Like You (A Happier Song)”
