Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” breaks all-time rap record, Banky W bags Master’s Degree from Georgetown University, Tennis legend Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian acquires stake in Chelsea Women. 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.
Here is a rundown of five of the hottest news topics…
1. Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” breaks all-time rap record
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” officially breaks the record for longest charting rap song in Hot 100 history.
First to chart for over a year. pic.twitter.com/ajPlHrLNnC
— chart data (@chartdata) May 19, 2025
Kendrick Lamar has officially set a new benchmark in rap history, as his searing diss track “Not Like Us” becomes the first-ever hip-hop song to spend 52 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. Released in May 2024 at the height of his headline-grabbing feud with Drake, the track has defied expectations with a full year of dominance, still sitting strong at number 22 thanks to consistent airplay and streaming numbers. No other rap song has achieved a continuous year on the chart, solidifying the track’s place as a cultural and commercial juggernaut.
The milestone adds to a string of record-breaking achievements for Lamar, whose recent collaboration with SZA, “Luther,” has held the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 13 straight weeks, making it the longest-charting hip-hop No. 1 in history and one of only 15 songs ever to reach that mark. Beyond the charts, Kendrick continues to leave his mark on the live music scene: his Grand National Tour, co-headlined with SZA, set a new record for the highest-grossing show by a Black artist, raking in $11.822 million at AT&T Stadium in Texas. With multiple records shattered in just a year, Kendrick Lamar is redefining what’s possible for a hip-hop artist in the modern era.
2. Banky W bags Master’s Degree from Georgetown University
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Nigerian singer, actor, and politician Banky W has achieved yet another milestone by earning a Master’s degree in Policy Management from the prestigious Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The entertainer-turned-public servant shared the news in a heartfelt Instagram post on May 20, where he reflected on his academic journey, describing the last few years as a “stretching season” for him and his family. Alongside pursuing a full-time master’s program, Banky W also served as a Fellow on Capitol Hill, embraced fatherhood with the birth of his second son, and navigated the demands of family life in the United States.
In his post, Banky W emphasized the role of faith, family, and resilience in helping him cross the finish line. “Faith gives you the courage, resilience and power to redefine endings,” he wrote, encouraging followers to never stop dreaming or reshaping their path. As he celebrated his academic achievement and the arrival of his second son, Hezekiah Oluwadarasimi Wellington, Banky W expressed gratitude to his wife Adesua and their support system. “It’s never too late to dream a new dream,” he concluded, signaling a fresh chapter in his already multifaceted career.
3. Savannah James launches skincare line Reframe Beauty
Savannah James Expands Her Entrepreneurial Empire With A Skincare Line That Aims To Reframe How Clinical Skincare Is Viewed https://t.co/KZ3aIRGjbX
— AfroTech (@AfroTech) May 19, 2025
Savannah James, podcast host, philanthropist, and wife of NBA star LeBron James, has officially entered the beauty industry with the launch of Reframe Beauty, a luxury-meets-clinical skincare brand. Calling the venture “my baby,” James says the brand reflects her passion for high-performance skincare rooted in science and inclusivity. Reframe Beauty launches with three hero products: the Pigment Processor, a daily brightening serum; the Compression Complex, a sculpting moisturizer; and the Circadian Cream, an overnight collagen-boosting formula. After two years of personal testing, James says she was determined to deliver “real results backed by real research.”
What sets Reframe Beauty apart is its innovative approach to clinical skincare, especially for people of color. The brand has partnered with Howard University’s College of Dermatology to test products across the full Fitzpatrick skin tone scale, ensuring efficacy on all complexions. One key ingredient, Cetyl Tranexamate Mesylate 3%, targets inflamed melanin to treat redness and dark spots with precision. “We wanted to reframe what clinical skincare looks like for the real world,” James said. With a science-forward yet stylish approach, Reframe Beauty is poised to reshape the skincare narrative through innovation and intentional inclusivity.
4. Thuso Mbedu to star in HBO drama “Task”
???????????? Thuso Mbedu plays Sergeant Aleah Clinton, a member of a specialized task force assembled to tackle a wave of violent robberies shaking the United States. #OKA15200
Details of the upcoming show here ????????https://t.co/J3vxo6xTOn pic.twitter.com/3ytyyV0o33
— OkayAfrica (@OkayAfrica) May 19, 2025
South African actress Thuso Mbedu is set to star in HBO’s upcoming crime drama series “Task,” alongside Hollywood heavyweight and Oscar nominee Mark Ruffalo. The seven-part limited series, created by Brad Ingelsby of “Mare of Easttown” fame, follows a specialized Philadelphia task force trying to stop a spree of violent robberies in a working-class neighborhood. Mbedu will play Sergeant Aleah Clinton, a central figure in the high-stakes mission. “Task” is set to premiere this September, with its South African debut on Showmax.
This marks Mbedu’s fifth international project, cementing her position as one of Africa’s most successful global talents. After her breakout role as Cora Randall in Amazon’s “The Underground Railroad,” Mbedu starred in the blockbuster “The Woman King,” voiced roles in “Castlevania: Nocturne” and “Mufasa: The Lion King,” and earned accolades including the Gotham Award for Outstanding Performance. With a cast that includes Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, and Raúl Castillo, “Task” promises to be another major milestone in Mbedu’s ever-rising career.
5. Tennis legend Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian acquires stake in Chelsea Women
In the sports world, many know him as Serena Williams’s husband.
In tech, he’s better recognised as the Reddit co-founder and venture capitalist.
Alexis Ohanian is on a mission to become one of the most influential figures in women’s sports and his investment in Chelsea Women… pic.twitter.com/RRiOKH817D
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) May 19, 2025
Tech entrepreneur and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian has made a bold entrance into English football by acquiring an estimated £20 million stake—approximately 8 to 10%—in Chelsea Women. Ohanian, who is married to tennis legend Serena Williams, sees a massive future for the Women’s Super League giants, calling them “the queens of global soccer” and predicting the team will become a “billion-dollar franchise.” This investment marks his second major foray into women’s football, following his significant role in founding and investing in Angel City FC of the U.S. National Women’s Soccer League.
Ohanian attended Chelsea Women’s triumphant FA Cup final at Wembley with Serena, witnessing their 3-0 win over Manchester United, which secured a domestic treble. He praised the club’s ambition, saying, “The sky is the limit,” and adding that Chelsea’s unapologetic drive inspired him to invest. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor welcomed the move as a “game-changing endorsement,” noting Ohanian’s passion for women’s sports and his proven track record. While Chelsea continues to dominate domestically, the club now sets its sights on conquering Europe—something Ohanian’s backing could help accelerate.
Featured Image: @nfr_podcast/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 2025.
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