Rema has officially made history on the U.S. Billboard charts.
The Nigerian superstar’s debut album, Rave & Roses, has become the longest-charting African project on the Billboard World Albums Chart, spending 165 weeks on the ranking. The milestone sees Rema surpass Wizkid’s Made In Lagos, which previously held the record at 164 weeks.
The achievement further cements Rave & Roses as one of the most impactful African albums of the modern streaming era.
Released in March 2022, Rave & Roses has shown remarkable longevity on the Billboard World Albums Chart, an indicator of sustained international demand rather than short-term hype.
Crossing the 165-week mark means the album has remained relevant for over three years, a rare feat for any project, let alone a debut album from an African artist.
The record-breaking run reflects not just initial success, but consistent streaming, catalog growth, and global listener retention.
Before now, Wizkid’s Made In Lagos was the benchmark for African albums on the chart. Widely regarded as a defining Afrobeats project, the album spent 164 weeks on the Billboard World Albums Chart and played a major role in pushing the genre into mainstream global consciousness.
Rema overtaking that record highlights a generational shift where younger Afrobeats stars are building on the foundation laid by earlier global breakthroughs.
Much of the album’s longevity can be traced to its international appeal. Songs like “Calm Down”, which later gained even more momentum with a remix featuring Selena Gomez, helped push the project far beyond African borders.
The album blends Afrobeats, pop, trap, and alternative influences, making it accessible to diverse audiences while still rooted in African sound and identity.
Its success also reflects how streaming platforms have changed music consumption, allowing albums to grow steadily over time rather than peak and disappear.