Drake named one of the top five pop icons of the 21st century by Billboard, Burna Boy makes Spotify history with record-breaking albums, Ben White forced to undergo surgery. 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. Drake named one of the top five pop icons of the 21st century by Billboard
Billboard names Drake the 4th greatest pop star of the 21st century. pic.twitter.com/PFt4DzvGrm
— Pop Base (@PopBase) November 12, 2024
In a celebration of music’s most influential names over the past 25 years, Billboard has named Drake one of the top five pop icons of the 21st century, landing him at the Number 4 spot on its list of the 25 greatest pop stars. The Canadian rapper and singer surpassed celebrated artists like Kanye West (No. 7), Nicki Minaj (No. 13), and Lil Wayne (No. 21) in a ranking that highlights his extraordinary contributions to the industry. Known for his record-breaking achievements, Drake’s career includes 13 No. 1 singles and 13 No. 1 albums on the Billboard charts—accomplishments only matched by The Beatles. With a total of 39 Billboard Music Awards to his name, his impact on the music landscape is indisputable.
Billboard also acknowledged Drake’s historic presence on the Billboard Hot 100, where he leads with 338 career entries, a milestone set in 2020 and still growing. He holds additional records for the most Top 40 hits (206) and Top 10 hits (78), setting the bar for music’s elite. Drake’s influence extends beyond chart success; since his mainstream breakthrough in 2009, he has redefined hip-hop by blending genres and popularizing introspective, emotional themes in rap. Billboard describes his appeal as unique, stating that Drake “never really ‘went pop’; he simply always was pop,” embodying a fusion of hip-hop and universal appeal that continues to resonate with fans globally. Billboard’s top three greatest pop stars are yet to be announced.
2. Burna Boy makes Spotify history with record-breaking albums
Burna Boy comes the FIRST African act to have 2 albums surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify
• Love, Damini – 1.2B+
• African Giant – 1B+ 🆕 pic.twitter.com/1BJGzfUDxs— 49th. (@the49thstreet) November 12, 2024
Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has achieved a historic milestone on Spotify, becoming the first African to have two albums reach over 1 billion streams each. This remarkable feat was cemented as his 2019 album “African Giant” joined his latest album, “Love, Damini,” in surpassing the billion-stream mark. “African Giant,” which helped propel Burna Boy to international fame with hit singles like “On The Low” and “Gbona,” stands as a testament to his growing global influence. Since its release, the album has produced several platinum-certified tracks and solidified Burna Boy’s place on the world music stage.
With “Love, Damini,” Burna Boy has continued his ascent, delivering chart-topping hits like “Last Last,” which alone has amassed over 451 million streams, and the Ed Sheeran collaboration “For Your Hand,” with 289 million streams. This achievement underscores Burna Boy’s role as a groundbreaking force in Nigerian and African music, establishing new records for Afrobeat artists on global platforms.
3. South Africa: Rapper Maglera Doe Boy collaborates with LeBron James in viral commercial
Senya re tla patala.@KingJames @hennessy#hennessy#HennessyXLebron pic.twitter.com/PsDmxvumtn
— Maglera Doe Boy (@MagleraDoeBoy) November 12, 2024
South African rapper Maglera Doe Boy, born Tlhalefo Molefe, has captured the global spotlight through an unexpected collaboration with NBA legend LeBron James in a viral Hennessy commercial. Known for his authentic storytelling and the gritty, raw vibe of kasi life, Doe Boy’s music resonates with South African youth by reflecting the streets, the struggle, and the dreams of a young artist from Klerksdorp.
The commercial reflects the rapper’s real-life narrative of resilience and ambition, sparking pride among his fans and fellow artists. The ad, featuring Doe Boy and LeBron James, went viral almost instantly, flooding social media with praise and admiration for the rapper’s milestone achievement. Fans, industry icons, and peers joined in the celebration.
4. Skai Jackson is expecting her first baby
Congrats! Skai Jackson confirms her pregnancy in new baby bump photos. 💕 #TSRStaffBD pic.twitter.com/wn8CNtROnf
— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) November 12, 2024
Skai Jackson is embarking on an exciting new journey—motherhood. The former Disney star confirmed in an interview that she is expecting her first child, though she did not reveal the name of her boyfriend. At 22, Jackson expressed her joy, stating, “I’m thrilled to begin this new chapter in my life—embracing motherhood and diving into new acting projects. My heart is so full!” The young actress credits her mother, Kiya Cole, for instilling the confidence and strength that she hopes to bring into this new phase.
While Jackson has not yet posted an official announcement on social media, recent photos show her proudly flaunting her baby bump in a chic maternity look. In one appearance, the “Jessie” alum was seen in a stylish ensemble featuring a cropped white button-down layered over a bandeau top, relaxed-fit jeans, black-heeled boots, and bold accessories. Amid preparations for her baby’s arrival, Jackson is also keeping busy with her career. She stars in the upcoming thriller “The Man in the White Van,” set for release on December 13, and recently promoted the film at Comic-Con, showing her commitment to balancing both personal and professional milestones.
5. Ben White forced to undergo surgery
Ben White has been playing through an injury for weeks. He has undergone a minor surgical procedure to resolve a knee issue he has been carrying this season.
An absolute amazing man and player who would give everything for this club. So much love you Benny White! 🙌❤️ pic.twitter.com/E8wVHCiSXj
— Arsenal Inside (@arsenalinside_) November 13, 2024
Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions have taken a major hit as defender Ben White faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to address a persistent knee issue. The 26-year-old had been playing through pain, managing to complete full matches against Inter Milan and Chelsea despite the discomfort. However, White has missed several games recently, including critical league fixtures against Leicester City and Southampton, as well as last month’s Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain. His recovery period is expected to last up to eight weeks, which could see him miss the majority of the winter campaign, leaving manager Mikel Arteta short on defensive options.
The timing of White’s injury coincides with an already depleted Arsenal squad. Fellow defenders Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney are also sidelined, while key players Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka sustained injuries during a 1-1 draw with Chelsea, ruling them out of England’s international matches. Arteta’s squad has struggled recently, dropping to fourth in the league, nine points behind Liverpool. With a critical clash against Nottingham Forest set for November 23, Arsenal will be hoping to have some of their stars fit, but White’s absence undoubtedly adds to the mounting challenges in their title chase.
Featured Image: @PopBase/X
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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