Rema and Selena Gomez’s Calm Down made history at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), receiving the prestigious Best Afrobeats Award.
The star-studded concert took place on Tuesday at the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey, celebrating the world’s greatest musical talents.
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Calm Down had already made waves, receiving three nominations for Best Collaboration, Song of the Year, and Best Afrobeats.
However, it was in the best afrobeats category that this incredible duo made history as the inaugural winners of this newly founded category.
ALSO READ: Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ becomes first song to spend one year on US Billboard Chart
The song debuted on August 25, 2022, and drew attention for its unique combination of Afrobeats and pop components.
Notably, the song’s remix was a huge success, becoming the first-ever track to stay on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart for a year.
It also earned the distinction of becoming the first No. 1 hit on The Official MENA Chart.
Rema and Selena Gomez win the #VMA for Best Afrobeats. https://t.co/mLNbmLXyoC pic.twitter.com/BDkTjRSuH2
— Variety (@Variety) September 13, 2023