American entertainment magazine Billboard has come under criticism after resharing a June 2025 article that described Nigerian singer Rema as a “one-hit wonder.”

The post, shared Sunday on the magazine’s X account, featured a ranking of 25 artistes it classified under the label, placing Rema at No. 6 for his global hit Calm Down, which features U.S. pop star Selena Gomez.

In the article, Billboard noted that the original version of Calm Down gained traction on its U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart before the remix with Gomez propelled it into mainstream success, peaking at No. 3 on the Hot 100 chart. It added that Rema had not returned to the Hot 100 since, although he recorded six top-10 entries on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart as of June 7, 2025.

The resurfaced ranking sparked swift reactions online, with many critics accusing the publication of downplaying the artist’s catalogue and global impact. Others argued that the classification may have been based strictly on performance within the U.S. mainstream chart landscape.

Several social media users defended Rema, insisting that Calm Down was already gaining global momentum before the remix and highlighting his multiple charting records and international recognition.

The debate reflects broader conversations about how global success is measured and the criteria used by U.S.-based publications in evaluating non-American artistes.