Why the “One-Hit Wonder” tag fails Rema: 10 Tracks that prove the haters wrong

Billboard’s description of Rema as a 21st-century one-hit wonder because of Calm Down’s performance in the USA has sparked debate because his catalogue tells a much deeper story.

Since 2019, Rema has delivered multiple hits while headlining international tours and selling out venues across the world, including London’s The O2 Arena. He also earned a Grammy nomination for the Grammys 2025 for his 2024 album ‘Heis.’

We take a look at 10 hits from Rema that prove he’s an Hitmaker.

Dumebi (2019)

Released in 2019, as part of his debut EP, “Dumebi” was the song that put Rema on the music scene. It quickly became a favourite among young people in Nigeria and even gained fans internationally. The song was everywhere on the radio, streaming platforms, and at campus parties. Its catchy, chant-like chorus, “Dumebi, Dumebi…”, made it unforgettable, and the colourful music video featuring other teens added to its appeal.

More than just a hit, Dumebi introduced Rema as a fresh Gen Z voice in Afrobeats. It showed off his melody, charisma, and star power right from the start. The song’s success proved he was a rising star and a hitmaker early in his career.

Beamer (Bad Boys) (2020)

Released in 2020, Beamer (Bad Boys) expanded Rema’s identity beyond teenage melodies into bold, street-leaning confidence. The song is a high-energy anthem about lifestyle, luxury, and attraction. This collaboration brought a heavy Dancehall and Reggaeton influence to the track, mixing it with Afrobeats to create a truly international sound. The song features a distinct Indian-style vocal melody in the background, which has since become a signature element of Rema’s “Afrorave”

The lyrics of the song go as ‘Bad boys like you, I like bad boys like you
Ooh, yeah, boys like you, I like bad boys like you’. The song was so big in 2020 that, during the lockdown period, it was used to create a lot of videos by people. It was a song that was big, and people vibed along with it. It also helped Rema stake a claim as a mainstream artist in the industry.

Soundgasm (2021)
Released in 2021, ahead of his debut album Rave & Roses, Soundgasm. It blends Afrobeats with smooth, soulful melodies and playful lyrics, creating a sensual and rhythmic track that quickly became a fan favourite across the world.

The title is a combination of “sound” and “orgasm,” which Rema describes as “sex translated into sound frequency.” The lyrics explore lust, intimacy, and raw passion. The song was produced by London. The track features a prominent alluring guitar lead, bouncy melodies, and Rema’s signature vocal range.

Calm Down (2022)
Calm Down became a historic global smash. The lyric “Baby, calm down, calm down” turned into a worldwide hit. The remix featuring Selena Gomez propelled the track to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and made it one of the most-streamed Afrobeats songs ever.

Rather than being his only moment, Calm Down was the peak of years of groundwork. It showed Rema’s crossover appeal, songwriting ability, and global charisma. This was the track that was acknowledged by Billboard as his only hit, which made them label him as a one-hit wonder, demonstrating that Calm Down is a global hit, both the original version and the remix with Selena Gomez. The song is one of the lead singles on his debut album titled Rave & Roses.

Holiday (2023 )
Holiday arrived at a crucial moment — after the massive success of Calm Down. Released on February 17, 2023, as part of a double-sided single alongside “Reason You,” Rema goes “down memory lane” to reflect on his struggles in Benin City and his rise since his 2019 debut. The central theme, “Everyday na holiday,” encapsulates the joy and freedom he feels now that his hard work has paid off.

In the lyrics, he claims how people didn’t think he would go far and how his music is doing wonders: “Straight out of Benin
I dropped ‘Rema EP’
2019, they think say the gbedu go fini-i-ish
My music is traveling
From India to Asia to Berlin”

Holiday demonstrated staying power. Many artists struggle after a global smash, but Rema followed up with another widely embraced single. The music video also features his labelmates, such as Ayra Starr, Magixx, and Crayon.

Charm (2023)
Released in April 2023 as part of the deluxe edition of Rave & Roses, produced by his frequent producer, London, the song is a playful, flirtatious “Afrorave” anthem centered on themes of attraction, confidence, and wealth. Rema adopts a “slick-talking” persona, trying to woo a woman by showcasing his success and charisma. The lyrics include bold lines like “I get money pass your papa” (I have more money than your father) and playful jabs such as “Shey you be Kizz Daniel ni?” when asking why she is acting “buga” (proud), which is the title of Kizz Daniel’s 2022 single ‘Buga’. In the music video too, Rema served as he and video vixen were giving us moves that were pleasing to the eyes.

Hehehe (2024)
Hehehe is a high-energy track by Rema, released in July, 2024, as a lead-up to his second studio album, HEIS. It marked a cultural reset and a shift in Rema’s sound. The song is a bold “flex” and a direct response to his critics.

The title refers to Rema’s signature taunting laugh heard throughout the track. It’s his way of mocking those who doubted his “Afrorave” sound or claimed he was moving away from his roots. The lyrics focus on his status as one of the “Big 4” in Afrobeats. He addresses industry pressure and competition, essentially saying he’s untouchable and too busy making money to care about the noise. The lyric of the song says, “Monday morning talking about me while I’m making money hehehehe.”

The track showed Rema’s boldness and self-belief, especially as he publicly claimed his place among Afrobeats’ “Big 4.”

Ozeba (2024 )
Also from HEIS, an album that marked a shift in Rema’s sound and a cultural reset, the title Ozeba is a word from the Bini language (native to Rema’s hometown, Benin City) which translates to “trouble” or “chaos.” Its energetic cadence and rhythmic bounce inspired dance challenges and party trends. It’s a track that, once played in a party setting, excites everyone. By using a Bini title and infusing the lyrics with local slang, Rema pays homage to his roots while pushing a futuristic sound. The music video is cinematic and chaotic, featuring heavy industrial aesthetics.

Baby (Is It a Crime) (2025)
This is a smooth, chart-topping single by Rema, released on February 7, 2025, that cleverly samples the British-Nigerian soul icon Sade’s 1985 hit Is It a Crime?. The song bridges classic soul with modern Afrobeats, quickly becoming a global sensation. The track is built around a prominent sample of Sade Adu’s Is It a Crime?. Rema, a self-professed huge fan, worked with his team to meticulously clear the sample, a process which caused a significant delay between the song’s initial snippet release in November 2024 and its official drop. The sample was everywhere even before the song dropped, and it was one of the biggest songs of 2025.

The Lyrics include:
“Baby/Baby sunmoni/You know say you match my steeze…
You know I’m a G/Shawty. I’mma always keep it real/I no dey for too much whining/Dey for too much whining,”
Rema sings in Pidgin English, blending his effortless style with the track’s soulful vibe.

Baby (Is It a Crime) combines his now-trademark Afropop with a catchy hook that keeps you listening from beginning to end. The second verse is straight fire, with Rema effortlessly flowing on the beat, delivering vocals like his house rent was due. He proved once again why he’s always in the conversation for the top spot, solidifying his title as the Rave Lord.

Fun (2025)
Fun is a vibrant, feel-good single by Rema, releaseed in 2025. The track is described as an unpretentious anthem for escapism and self-protection.

The lyrics emphasize living in the moment and prioritizing personal peace. The recurring chorus, “I just want to have fun / I no wan worry too much,” highlights a desire to disconnect from the pressures of fame and industry drama. Rema reflects on his financial growth and ambition, with lines like “My pocket filled with green salad” and “Universe no like force / Take your time, brother mi, no rush.”

The track was produced by Rema’s longtime collaborator London. Fun is a self-assured, aspirational anthem that cements Rema as not just a hitmaker but a voice of his generation, translating youthful joy, hustle, and resilience into sound.

The post Why the “One-Hit Wonder” tag fails Rema: 10 Tracks that prove the haters wrong appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.