SZA breaks Mary J. Blige’s almost 20-year chart record, Mr. Eazi announces new group, Choplife Soundsystem, Sadio Mane allegedly punched Leroy Sane. Stay in the know with our Rave News Digest which summarizes five of the hottest global news you need to catch up on, saving you time and energy. Consider it your daily news fix. SZA Mary J Blige
1. SZA breaks Mary J. Blige’s almost 20-year chart record as ‘SOS’ goes double platinum
“Kill Bill” by @SZA is now the longest-running #1 song by a female artist in Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart history (16 weeks).
— Pop Tingz (@ThePopTingz) April 10, 2023
The record was previously held by Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You” in 2006. pic.twitter.com/rHBcksx8AC
SZA’s dominating sophomore album, “SOS” has broken a record previously held by Mary J. Blige for over 15 years. With “Kill Bill,” a hit song off the album, spending its 16th consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, it has become the longest-running No. 1 single by a solo female artist, taking the reign from Blige’s 2x GRAMMY-winning hit, “Be Without You.” The Bryan-Michael Cox production spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on the aforementioned chart following its release in November 2005 and earned Blige wins from the Recording Academy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.
In addition, SOS also reached double platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) after reportedly selling two million units in its first four months — roughly two months after getting the platinum plaque. The 33-year-old also received 12 additional certifications, including five platinum certifications and seven gold.
2. Mr. Eazi announces new group, Choplife Soundsystem
Mr Eazi x DJ Edu team up to form a new music group : Choplife Soundsystem
— emPawa Africa (@emPawaAfrica) April 12, 2023
Choplife Soundsystem is a new Pan-African music group that derives its name from the popular West African pidgin slang phrase #choplife which means enjoy life. pic.twitter.com/21G92xjlTZ
Nigerian-born music superstar, business visionary, and international nomad Mr. Eazi has announced the formation of a new pan-African music group, Choplife Soundsystem. The group will also consist of UK-based, Kenyan-born Afrobeats selector and tastemaker DJ Edu, as its resident DJ, along with an informal crew of contributing DJs, artistes, and producers from across the continent. Mr. Eazi will be the primary vocalist on Choplife Soundsystem recordings, and will also serve as its MC — or Minister of Enjoyment— at live events. SZA Mary J Blige
Choplife Soundsystem derives its name from the popular West African pidgin slang phrase chop life, meaning “enjoy life,” along with the traditional Soundsystems that are the backbone of Jamaican music culture. In the Jamaican way of speaking, a Soundsystem is a mobile crew of DJs and MCs, typically financed by a prominent local businessperson, who present music together at public events, such as street parties, clubs, and festivals.
3. Questlove set to debut ‘The Rhythm of Time’ children’s book series
.@Questlove is continuing to show us that he's a man of many talents ✍🏾
— Okayplayer (@okayplayer) April 11, 2023
Aiming to inspire the kids, the Oscar winner is set to release his new 'The Rhythm of Time' children's book this month. https://t.co/Ggsrl4qiP1 pic.twitter.com/seoiU5X9D7
Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Questlove is set to publish his debut children’s book, “The Rhythm of Time,” a literary series geared for readers ages 8-12, co-authored with New York Times bestselling and award-winning author S.A. Crosby. The book follows two “slightly-nerdy” Black teens from the veteran hip-hop figure’s hometown of Philadelphia “as they travel back through time, inadvertently rewriting the future,” according to the synopsis.
The Rhythm of Time marks Questlove’s seventh book following the release of “Mo’ Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove” released in 2013, “Soul Train: The Music, Dance, and Style of a Generation,” “Something To Food About: Exploring Creativity with Innovative Chefs,” and others. The new book will be available on Tuesday, April 18. The hardcover will cost $18.99 and is set to be released via Penguin Random House.
4. Rema sets new African record on Billboard Hot 100
The #Hot100 top 10 (chart dated April 15, 2023)
— billboard charts (@billboardcharts) April 10, 2023
Nigerian international sensation Rema has made history as the African with the highest charting song on Billboard Hot 100. Rema’s “Calm Down” has swept across the world while becoming one of the biggest Afrobeats exports. The single has no intention of slowing down in its international ascension as it reaches a new record peak on Billboard Hot 100.
In the latest installment of the Billboard Chart dated April 15, 2023, the hit song which features Selena Gomez, reaches a new peak of No. 7 as it moves one spot up from its previous No. 8 peak position. This sees “Calm Down” extend its record as the highest-charting African song on the chart.
5. Sadio Mane allegedly punched Leroy Sane in the face after Bayern Munich’s loss to Man City
BREAKING: Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane punched teammate Leroy Sane in the face after yesterday’s Champions League defeat at Manchester City. pic.twitter.com/diUYAnBiDF
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 12, 2023
Sadio Mane reportedly struck Bayern Munich team-mate Leroy Sane in the mouth during a dressing room dispute on Tuesday night. The attacking pair had been seen arguing on the pitch during the 3-0 loss to Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final. It only escalated from there, according to reports. Their team-mates are said to have separated Mane and Sane in the dressing room after the physical altercation, which stemmed from Mane’s frustration over how he had been spoken to during the game. The latter was supposedly even told to wait outside.
The trigger for the dispute is said to be the moment in the 83rd minute when Sane complained to Mane about an attempted run in behind the defense. Sane wanted the Senegalese player to come short and angrily told him so. This has been an unusually dramatic season for Bayern Munich. They recently sacked Julian Nagelsmann amid reports of dressing room discontent, replacing him with Thomas Tuchel, and have been inconsistent in domestic competition by their standards despite leading the Bundesliga. SZA Mary J Blige
Featured image: @sza @therealmaryjblige/Instagram
Our Weekday News Digest brings you a summary of five of the hottest news topics across the world––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 2023.
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