Kendrick Lamar officially earns fifth Billboard 200 No. 1 for “GNX,” Asake sets new record with his chart-topping album “Lungu Boy,” Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo headline FIFPRO Men’s World 11 shortlist. 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. Kendrick Lamar officially earns fifth Billboard 200 No. 1 for “GNX”
‘GNX’ marks Kendrick Lamar’s fifth consecutive #1 album on the Billboard 200. pic.twitter.com/KrBHCx9RaO
— chart data (@chartdata) December 1, 2024
Kendrick Lamar’s surprise album “GNX” debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard 200, marking his fifth consecutive chart-topping release. The project earned 319,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, making it the sixth-largest debut of 2024 and the biggest streaming week for any R&B and hip-hop release this year. Of that total, 285,000 units came from streaming, with 32,000 from traditional sales and 2,000 from track-equivalent albums.
GNX follows 2022’s “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers” and arrives as Lamar gears up for his performance at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in February 2025. In a teaser for the event, Lamar invited fans to “meet [him] in New Orleans” and addressed critics on the album’s opener, “wacced out murals,” acknowledging the buzz over Lil Wayne being passed over for the coveted performance spot.
2. Asake sets new record with his chart-topping album “Lungu Boy”
‘Lungu Boy’ becomes the longest running No. 1 album in history. For the last five weeks, @asakemusik has achieved a historical run with all three albums in the Top 10— a feat no other artiste has ever achieved https://t.co/e2t0lSI5Sc
— TurnTable Charts (@TurntableCharts) November 27, 2024
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Asake has etched his name in history with his third studio album, “Lungu Boy,” which has become the longest-charting number-one album on Nigeria’s TurnTable album chart. Since its release on August 8, “Lungu Boy,” has held the top spot for 15 consecutive weeks, a feat unmatched by any other album in the chart’s history. This milestone solidified Asake’s dominance, following the success of his previous albums “Mr Money With The Vibes” and “Work of Art,” which helped establish him as a force in the Afrobeats genre.
Beyond its commercial success, “Lungu Boy” has received critical acclaim for its blend of Afrobeats, Amapiano, and hip-hop influences, featuring collaborations with global stars such as Stormzy, Central Cee, Anais Cardot, and Wizkid. The track “MMS,” featuring Wizkid, earned Best African Song Performance nomination at the 67th Grammy Awards, marking Asake’s second Grammy nod in two years. With this latest achievement, coupled with his previous record-breaking single “Lonely At The Top,” Asake continues to set new benchmarks in Nigerian music, reinforcing his status as one of the most influential artists in the industry today.
3. South Africa: Uncle Waffles’ Kenya performance canceled amid chaos and safety concerns
Uncle Waffle statement following her Concert in Kenya which as she highlights, saw mistreatment of fans. At some point, teargas attended the concert. pic.twitter.com/lDwY0JIWs8
— BRAVIN YURI (@BravinYuri) December 2, 2024
South African Amapiano sensation Uncle Waffles was forced to cancel her highly anticipated performance in Kenya on November 30, following chaotic scenes at the ASK Dome in Nairobi. The event, dubbed “For The Love of Amapiano,” descended into disorder, prompting security to disperse the crowd with teargas. Concertgoers and artists faced unsafe conditions, ultimately leading to the cancellation of Uncle Waffles’ set. The star took to social media to express her frustration with the event’s poor management, citing sound issues, mishandling of her team, and a lack of security measures to protect attendees.
“I am extremely disappointed and shattered by the way ‘For The Love of Amapiano’ handled this event,” she wrote, addressing the organizers. She also condemned the treatment of her fans, who were reportedly pushed around by security personnel. “To the event organisers, you have not only disappointed me but also let down over 10,000 people who came out in support of this event.” Fans echoed her sentiments on social media, calling for better event management in Kenya. While the organizers have yet to respond, supporters remain hopeful for a future performance under safer conditions.
4. Martin Lawrence’s daughter Jasmin and Eddie Murphy’s son Eric announce engagement
Martin Lawrence’s daughter Jasmin and Eddie Murphy’s son Eric are engaged. 💍❤️ pic.twitter.com/a4uSdcGJfd
— Complex (@Complex) December 1, 2024
It’s a Hollywood love story for the ages! Jasmin Lawrence, daughter of comedian Martin Lawrence, and Eric Murphy, son of legendary actor Eddie Murphy, have announced their engagement. The couple took to social media on Saturday, November 30, to share the exciting news. “We’re engaged! God truly blessed us with a love that feels like destiny. We couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter,” Jasmin wrote on Instagram, alongside a heartwarming video of the proposal. The intimate moment featured a romantic setup with white flower petals, glowing candles, and a red heart where Eric popped the question with a dazzling diamond ring.
The couple first went public with their relationship in 2021, revealing that Jasmin’s uncle introduced them—not their famous fathers, who have starred together in films like Boomerang and Life. Despite their parents’ close ties, it was their shared backgrounds and mutual understanding that brought them together. As they embark on this new journey, the question of wedding costs has sparked playful banter.
5. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and others headline FIFPRO Men’s World 11 shortlist
Congratulations to the 11 current PFA members named in FIFPRO’s men’s #World11 shortlist.
⭐️🤝 Voted by players. pic.twitter.com/PERT1XiMRF
— Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA) December 2, 2024
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two of the most iconic footballers in history, have been named finalists for the 2024 FIFPRO Men’s World 11. This year’s shortlist includes 26 of the world’s top players, with Messi and Ronaldo continuing their remarkable streak by earning nominations for the 18th consecutive year. Despite neither player winning the Ballon d’Or in 2023—a first since 2018—the duo remains among the elite, with the final 11 set to be unveiled on December 9. Voted on by 28,000 players from 70 countries, the FIFPRO World 11 celebrates footballing excellence and will mark its 20th edition this year.
Joining Messi and Ronaldo on the shortlist are rising stars like Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, and Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Notable Premier League stars such as Rodri and Virgil van Dijk have also secured spots, though Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka missed out. Meanwhile, injuries sidelined top contenders like Thibaut Courtois from consideration. The final team will be announced alongside the Women’s World 11, highlighting the best talent in global football for 2024.
Featured Image: TDE News
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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