Rema’s “Baby (Is It a Crime)” has officially crossed a major international milestone as the hit single has now sold over 100,000 units in the United Kingdom. The achievement marks another powerful moment in the Nigerian superstar’s fast rising global journey and further confirms his place among the most influential African artists of his generation.
Released in early 2025, “Baby (Is It a Crime)” immediately captured attention with its smooth blend of Afrobeats energy and classic soul influence. Built around a striking sample of Sade’s iconic “Is It a Crime,” the record offered listeners a perfect mix of nostalgia and modern sonic appeal. That creative fusion helped the song travel quickly beyond African borders and into major international markets.
From its first week of release, the song showed clear signs of becoming a global favourite. It quickly emerged as the most streamed Nigerian song released in 2025 on Spotify at the time and went on to dominate playlists across Europe and the United Kingdom in particular. Its steady streaming performance, radio rotation, and digital purchases have now combined to push its total UK sales beyond the 100000 unit mark.
This milestone is especially significant within the UK music industry. In the United Kingdom, official certifications are awarded by the British Phonographic Industry, with a Silver plaque requiring 200000 units for singles. By crossing 100000 units, “Baby (Is It a Crime)” has completed half of that journey and is now firmly on the path toward an official UK certification. For a Nigerian Afrobeats record, this level of commercial traction in the UK represents a remarkable achievement.
Beyond the numbers, the success of the song highlights Rema’s continued impact on the global stage. Over the last few years, he has consistently built an audience that spans Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. With “Baby (Is It a Crime),” he once again demonstrates his ability to connect with listeners across cultures through sound, emotion, and style.
The record’s success also underlines the continued rise of Afrobeats in the UK. Once considered a niche genre, Afrobeats is now a dominant force in clubs, radio, and streaming platforms across the country. Rema’s latest sales milestone adds to a long list of achievements by African artists who are reshaping the global music narrative.
For Rema, this achievement is not just another statistic. It is proof of consistency, creative evolution, and the expanding reach of African music on the world’s biggest stages. And for Afrobeats fans around the world, it is yet another reminder that the sound from Africa is no longer emerging. It has fully arrived.