Rema, the Nigerian music sensation, has expressed his deep appreciation for his close friendship with global pop icon Selena Gomez, which blossomed following the massive success of their collaboration on the chart-topping hit “Calm Down.”
The song, which fused Afrobeats with Gomez’s pop prowess, took the music world by storm.
According to People magazine, at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, Rema shared insights into his unexpected partnership with Gomez. “I’ve been rocking with her, and it was a blessing to find out she actually rocks with me,” Rema candidly revealed during the red carpet interview.
While creating “Calm Down” for his album Rave & Roses, Rema had unwavering confidence in his artistry. However, he could not have foreseen the immense accolades that the song would receive, including winning the coveted title of Best Afrobeats Video at the VMAs.
The collaboration between Rema and Gomez began when Rema decided to remix “Calm Down” and reached out to the multi-talented artiste. “Everybody rocks with Selena,” Rema explained. “I’ve been rocking with her, and it was a blessing to find out she actually rocks with me. She listens to my music.” This connection deepened, and Rema now considers Gomez a “close friend.”
Despite their busy schedules and global tours, the two artistes maintain a strong bond. Rema revealed that they often converse and that their friendship goes beyond music. “We’ve not had the time to party and celebrate because we’re all working, but of course, we always go back to take it all in,” Rema stated.
The success of “Calm Down” has been nothing short of remarkable. The song spent a record-setting 45 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart and marked Rema’s first top-10 single in the United States. During the VMAs, Selena Gomez took a moment to express her gratitude to Rema for choosing her as a collaborator and for the incredible journey they embarked on together.
In the world of music, collaborations often lead to beautiful friendships, and Rema’s bond with Selena Gomez is a testament to the power of music in bringing people from diverse backgrounds together. Their shared success and genuine friendship serve as an inspiration to artistes and fans alike.
