Denzel Washington set to enter the Marvel Universe in new “Black Panther” role, Tems extends her record as the most certified Nigerian female artist in the US, Neymar breaks silence on his future. Stay in the know with our Rave News Digest, which summarizes five of the hottest global news stories you need to catch up on, saving you time and energy. Consider it your daily news fix.
1. Denzel Washington set to enter the Marvel Universe in new “Black Panther” role
Denzel Washington says that Ryan Coogler is currently writing a role for him in the next “Black Panther” film
He also says he’s going to retire after a few more films pic.twitter.com/2qaiudtBdF
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 12, 2024
Denzel Washington is set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as revealed in a recent interview during his media tour for “Gladiator II.” The legendary actor confirmed that Ryan Coogler, the visionary director of “Black Panther” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” is writing a role for him in the upcoming third installment of the Black Panther series. Washington, who has long been a Hollywood staple, expressed that he is now selective about his projects as he nears the end of his career. With a focus on exploring new and challenging roles, he teased his upcoming performances, including a portrayal of Hannibal after taking on Shakespeare’s Othello at age 70.
The Black Panther franchise has become a cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with “Black Panther” (2018) breaking box office records and “Wakanda Forever” (2022) paying tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. Washington’s entry into the world of Wakanda is sure to generate massive excitement among fans, adding another layer of depth to the already beloved series. Additionally, Washington is rumored to be reuniting with director Spike Lee for a new crime thriller, “High and Low,” which will mark their fifth collaboration.
2. Tems extends her record as the most certified Nigerian female artist in the US
Tems (@temsbaby) and Brent Faiyaz’s “Found” has now sold over 1 million units in the US. pic.twitter.com/8TV93Swbn6
— chart data (@chartdata) November 12, 2024
Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems has extended her record as the most certified Nigerian female artist in the United States, adding another platinum certification to her achievements. Her single “Found,” featuring American artist Brent Faiyaz, has now sold over one million copies in the U.S., earning it a platinum plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). “Found,” a track from her sophomore EP “If Orange Was A Place,” gained popularity following Tems’ rise to international prominence through her feature on Wizkid’s global hit “Essence.” The song has also garnered over 119 million streams on Spotify, solidifying its place as one of her most-streamed records.
This milestone brings Tems’ total RIAA platinum certifications to three, including “Wait For U” with Future and her own hit “Free Mind.” In addition, she recently made history as the first Nigerian female artist to have an RIAA gold-certified album with her debut EP, “For Broken Ears,” which also included the chart-topping single “Higher.”
3. Megan Fox expecting baby with Machine Gun Kelly
Megan Fox is pregnant, expecting child with Machine Gun Kelly. pic.twitter.com/hN8C0oXa2i
— Pop Base (@PopBase) November 11, 2024
Actress Megan Fox and musician Machine Gun Kelly are expecting their first child together, marking a new chapter in their relationship. Fox took to Instagram on Monday to announce the news, sharing intimate photos that included a glimpse of her baby bump and a positive pregnancy test. “Nothing is ever really lost. Welcome back,” she wrote, alluding to a past experience of pregnancy loss. The post resonated with fans, as Fox also featured Kelly’s song “Last November” in the background—a track the artist has previously mentioned was inspired by their shared loss.
Fox, who is already a mother to three children—Noah, Bodhi, and Journey—from her previous marriage to actor Brian Austin Green, has openly discussed the emotional impact of pregnancy loss. In her recent poetry collection, “Pretty Boys are Poisonous,” Fox shared two poignant poems on the subject, and in a past interview with Good Morning America, she reflected on how the experience bonded her and Kelly. The pair, who met in 2020 on the set of a music video, have been engaged since 2022.
4. Jaywon issues public apology to Ayra Starr over 2025 Grammy snub
If you see Ayra Starr, tell her I’m sorry she wasn’t nominated for this year’s Grammys. I’m a huge fan of her music, and I believe she’s one of the best female vocalists Africa has. On this side, we don’t pull people down. We elevate, not just for today, but for the future. Ola…
— Jaywon (@JAYWONJUWONLO) November 11, 2024
Nigerian singer Jaywon has publicly apologized to fellow artist Ayra Starr after sparking backlash for comments that fans perceived as dismissive following her exclusion from the 2025 Grammy nominations. Taking to social media platform X, Jaywon clarified his admiration for Ayra Starr’s talent and apologized to the “Sability” singer, praising her as one of Africa’s finest female vocalists. His remarks came amid a wave of online criticism that accused him of shading the artist over the Grammy snub.
In his message, Jaywon expressed his support for Ayra Starr’s music, acknowledging her vocal skills and contributions to the industry. He wrote, “If you see Ayra Starr, tell her I’m sorry she wasn’t nominated for this year’s Grammys. I’m a huge fan of her music, and I believe she’s one of the best female vocalists Africa has.” He reiterated his commitment to uplifting African talent, “On this side, we don’t pull people down. We elevate, not just for today, but for the future.”
5. Neymar breaks silence on his future amid reports Al-Hilal could terminate his contract
“I think it’s one of the best projects I’ve ever seen. It has the potential to be the best World Cup ever.” 🏆😲
We had the pleasure of welcoming Brazil record-goalscorer and Saudi Pro League star @neymarjr to the #Saudi2034bid exhibition in Riyadh. It was a dream come true for… pic.twitter.com/0OaNJx6PoV
— Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup™️ 2034 bid (@Saudi2034bid) November 11, 2024
Neymar has addressed growing speculation about his future at Al-Hilal, following reports the Saudi Pro League club may terminate his contract after his latest injury setback. The Brazilian forward is currently sidelined for up to six weeks due to a hamstring injury, having only recently returned to action after a year-long recovery from an ACL tear. This recent injury has prompted speculation about his long-term role with Al-Hilal, as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season. Despite the rumors, Neymar insists he is happy at the club, speaking positively about his experience in Saudi Arabia while helping to promote the nation’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
In his remarks, Neymar expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play in Saudi Arabia, describing his experience as rewarding and hinting at the country’s potential to attract more international talent. “I was very well received here,” Neymar said. “I’m very happy and I’m sure it will only get better.” As Al-Hilal fans await his return in December, Neymar’s situation remains uncertain, and he is eligible to negotiate with other clubs starting January 2025. His former club, Santos, has openly expressed interest, with its president revealing a “concrete project” to bring Neymar back should his contract with Al-Hilal end prematurely.
Featured Image: @CultureCrave/Instagram
Our Weekday News Digest summarizes five of the hottest news topics worldwide–including celebrity news from Hollywood to Nollywood, the latest trending global headlines from American reports to top African news today, and the best sports stories in 2024.
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