Rema & Selena Gomez win first ever VMA for Best Afrobeats Song with ‘Calm Down’ remix

MTV has officially announced the winners of the highly-anticipated 2023 “VMAs,” and in a remarkable moment, Nigerian artist Divine Ikubor, aka Rema, alongside Selena Gomez, clinched their first-ever VMA award in the prestigious category of Best Afrobeats Song for their outstanding ‘Calm Down’ Remix.

In a competitive field featuring nominees like Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Davido, Fireboy DML & Asake, Libianca, and Wizkid, Rema emerged as the standout victor, solidifying his place in the global music scene.

Taylor Swift had a standout night at the awards ceremony, claiming a total of nine wins, including accolades for “Anti-Hero” like Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Visual Effects. She also secured Album of the Year for “Midnights,” along with Artist of the Year and Show of the Summer.

Speaking about the significance of the win, Monde Twala, the Senior Vice President and General Manager for Paramount Africa and Lead for BET International, emphasized, “These wins are not just a triumph for the artists, Rema and Selena Gomez, but they also mark a momentous milestone for the global reach of Afrobeats music. This recognition at the VMAs underscores Afrobeats’ growing influence and appeal on the international stage. It highlights the genre’s ability to bridge cultures, connect people, and establish itself as a powerful force in the global music industry’’.

SEE FULL LIST OF WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY BELOW:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR, Presented by Burger King®  

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift – Republic Records

SONG OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records

BEST NEW ARTIST – TBD

Ice Spice – 10K Projects / Capitol Records

PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

April 2023: TOMORROW X TOGETHER – “Sugar Rush Ride” – BIGHIT MUSIC / Republic Records

BEST COLLABORATION

KAROL G, Shakira – “TQG” – UNIVERSAL MUSIC LATINO

BEST POP

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records

BEST HIP-HOP

Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl” – Republic Records

BEST R&B

SZA – “Shirt” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records

READ ALSO: Rapper Nicki Minaj announced as host and performer at 2023 VMAs  

BEST ALTERNATIVE

Lana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste – “Candy Necklace” – Interscope Records

BEST ROCK

Måneskin – “THE LONELIEST” – Arista Records

BEST LATIN

Anitta – “Funk Rave” – Republic Records

BEST K-POP
Stray Kids – “S-Class” – JYP / Republic

BEST AFROBEATS

Rema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World

VIDEO FOR GOOD

Dove Cameron – “Breakfast” – Columbia Records

BEST DIRECTION

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records – Directed by Taylor Swift

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Rina Yang

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Parliament

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records – Kiel Tutin, Sienna Lalau, Lee Jung, and Taryn Cheng

BEST ART DIRECTION

Doja Cat – “Attention” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records – Art Direction by Spencer Graves

BEST EDITING
Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” – Geffen Records – Edited by Sofia Kerpan and David Checel

SHOW OF THE SUMMER

Taylor Swift – Republic Records

GROUP OF THE YEAR

BLACKPINK – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records

SONG OF THE SUMMER presented by M&M’S®
Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven” – BIGHIT MUSIC / Geffen Records

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Taylor Swift – Midnights – Republic Records