Rema’s Calm Down goes platinum in the UK, NBA star, Ja Morant suspended, Salah makes Liverpool history. 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.
1. Rema’s Calm Down secures platinum plaque in the UK
.@heisrema's "Calm Down" is now certified Platinum in the UK.
— chart data (@chartdata) March 3, 2023
Nigerian superstar Rema has added another accolade to his growing list as his international hit single “Calm Down” is now eligible for platinum certification. In a post on Friday, March 3, chart news platform Chart Data revealed that Rema’s international smash hit Calm Down was now eligible for platinum certification in the United Kingdom. Released on February 11, 2022, as one of the lead singles off his debut album “Rave & Roses,” the single went on to become a domestic hit before capturing listeners internationally.
The single has enjoyed huge digital success as it has accumulated over a billion streams across all platforms. It also holds the record for the most viewed Afrobeats music video on YouTube. It would later get a Selena Gomez remix which rocketed it to international fame. Calm Down is Rema’s first platinum single in the UK and he joins CKay, Wizkid, and Burna Boy as lead artists with BPI platinum plaques.
2. NBA star, Ja Morant suspended after Instagram gun flashing video
The Grizzlies have suspended Ja Morant for at least two games after he appeared to display a gun on Instagram Live while at a nightclub pic.twitter.com/SsGMxg2q3c
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 4, 2023
The NBA has launched an investigation into a video of what appears to be NBA All-Star Ja Morant flashing a handgun during an Instagram Live early Saturday morning, March 4. According to reports, the Memphis Grizzlies announced later in the day their decision to suspend Morant “for at least the next two games,” in addition to not allowing him to travel with the team.
Hours after a tough Friday evening 113-97 loss against the Denver Nuggets, Morant appeared shirtless and rapping along to an NBA YoungBoy song in the Live video. Following the backlash, he deactivated his social media accounts. Morant issued a statement later Saturday, taking “full responsibility for my actions last night.”
This is the latest controversy for Morant, who was at the center of two other incidents in the summer of 2022. It was also reported that a confrontation between Morant and a mall security guard in a parking lot, as well as an incident involving a 17-year-old boy who alleged Morant displayed a gun in his waistband after a fight occurred between the two during a pickup basketball game in the NBA star’s backyard.
3. South Africa: Beloved radio DJ Mark Pilgrim has died
Breaking News: Legendary and celebrated broadcaster Mark Pilgrim has passed away at the age 53 #MarkPilgrim pic.twitter.com/0JD297bFwa
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 5, 2023
Veteran radio DJ Mark Pilgrim has died. His death, at the age of 53, was confirmed in a statement shared with the media. It said he passed away at home with his family. “DJ Mark Pilgrim lost his battle with cancer this morning. He fought valiantly to the very end. Mark passed peacefully with his fiancée Adrienne at home.”
The star was known for hosting several radio shows on 5FM, 94.7 Highveld Stereo, 94.5 Kfm, Hot919, and HOT 102.7FM. He was working for HOT 102.7FM at the time of his death. He also hosted reality TV shows “Big Brother South Africa,” “Big Brother Africa” and the game show “Power of 10.” Pilgrim was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, which he later revealed had spread to his femur, the base of his spine, and lymph nodes.
Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
4. Kobe Bryant family settles lawsuit with L.A. county for $28.5M
The family of the late Kobe Bryant has agreed to a $28.5 million settlement with Los Angeles County to resolve the remaining claims in a lawsuit over deputies and firefighters sharing grisly photos from the 2020 helicopter crash. https://t.co/jCIxVavmwY
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 1, 2023
Vanessa Bryant and her family have settled with Los Angeles County after a sheriff deputy was accused of taking helicopter crash scene photos of Kobe Bryant. According to reports, Los Angeles County will pay $28.5 million. Vanessa Bryant will receive $15 million, which she was awarded in August, and the rest will be given to his three surviving daughters, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri. An attorney representing L.A. County stated, “We hope Ms. Bryant and her children continue to heal from their loss.”
The photos were taken at the site of the January 2020 helicopter crash that killed Kobe and their daughter Gianna, and seven other people. A deputy allegedly shared the images among employees of the L.A. County Sheriff and Fire departments, but also with workers’ spouses, and in one case, with a bartender at a bar where a deputy was drinking.
5. Mohamed Salah makes Liverpool history in Manchester United defeat
Mohamed Salah has now scored more Premier League goals for Liverpool than any other player in the competition's history.
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 5, 2023
The Egyptian King reigns supreme. 👑 pic.twitter.com/uNTaMIWbLC
Mohamed Salah became Liverpool’s all-time top Premier League scorer and the club’s first to strike in six straight games against Manchester United. Salah fired in off the bar to make it 4-0 for the Reds as they trounced United in the Premier League clash at Anfield on Sunday. That goal put him level with club legend Robbie Fowler in their list of top scorers in the league, but he went on to break Liverpool’s Premier League goal record when he scored again to take his tally up to 129.
Salah has now scored 11 goals across his last six appearances against the Old Trafford club as he struck twice in a historic win at Anfield. Liverpool ended up winning 7-0 for their biggest-ever win against United, with Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez , and Roberto Firmino also getting in on the act.
Featured image: @heisrema/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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