Rema launches at #1 on the newly created official MENA chart (Middle East & North Africa) by IFPI

On 29th November, 2022, Global recorded music body IFPI launched the ‘Official MENA Chart’, which it calls the first-ever official chart in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). 

According to the IFPI,  recorded music market revenues in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region grew by 35% in 2021 – the fastest-growing region in the world.

The data also stated that streaming represented around  95.3% of recorded music revenues in the region in 2021.

The newly created singles chart for the Middle East and North Africa includes music streaming data from Anghami, Apple, Deezer, Spotify and YouTube. The IFPI says that the chart captures music streaming from 13 markets across the MENA region, from Morocco in the West to UAE in the East – covering more than 300 million people.

“Calm Down” by Nigerian Afrobeats artist Rema was the first ever MENA Chart #1. 

Rema in a tweet said: “I’d like to thank all of my fans across the region who streamed Calm Down and helped it to become the first ever Official MENA Chart No.1.

“I am so happy that you are enjoying the song and very proud to be the first artist to reach No.1. Thanks also to the team at my label for their support.”

Over the years, Afrobeats songs have began to gain traction in the MENA region, CKay's “Love Nwantiti” which went viral Globally could have made the top 20 MENA chart — if it was launched as of last year. 

According to Apple Music, these Afrobeats songs made it to the Year-end top streamed songs of North Africa & Middle East on Apple Music in 2022:

North Africa most streamed songs of 2022 on Apple Music:

#3. Calm Down - Rema 

#4. Love Nwantiti - CKay feat. Elgrandetoto 

#8. Emiliana - CKay

Middle East most streamed songs of 2022 on Apple Music:

#2. Calm Down - Rema & Selena Gomez 

#4. Calm Down - Rema 

#13. Ku Lo Sa - Oxlade 

#23. Last Last - Burna Boy 

#58. No Wahala - 1dabanton

#78. Love Nwantiti - CKay 

In the coming months, more Afrobeats songs might dominate the chart. 

As of the 2nd week of launch, this is the top 10:

As of the 2nd week of launch, this is the top 10: 

Rema's “Calm Down” remains at the #1 position. 

In the year-end top songs of 2021, CKay's “Love Nwantiti Remix” feat. Elgrandetoto was the only Afrobeats song represented in both the Top Songs of North Africa & Middle East on Apple Music at #2 & #98 respectively, but as of 2022 year-end Afrobeats songs dominate 3% & 6% respectively of both charts, an astounding growth. 

However, Love Nwantiti in the year 2020 was the #1 song in Northern Africa and has remained in the top 4 for a 3rd consecutive year.