Tiny Desk celebrates Black Music Month with all-female lineup featuring Tems, Salt-N-Pepa makes history as the first female rap act to have their own action figures, Mbappe signs Real Madrid deal. 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. Tiny Desk celebrates Black Music Month with all-female lineup featuring Tems
NPR’s Tiny Desk is celebrating Black Music Month with a lineup that includes Chaka Khan, SWV, Tems, Flo Milli, and Tierra Whack https://t.co/c2GFNc3O4V
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) May 31, 2024
NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series is honoring Black Music Month in a big way this year: with an all-female lineup. This exciting announcement puts the spotlight on incredible Black women who are making waves across various musical genres. One of the standout performers is Nigerian singer Tems, whose soulful vocals and genre-bending sound have captivated audiences worldwide. Tems is sure to deliver a spellbinding Tiny Desk performance, showcasing her talents alongside other talented artists.
Also, the full lineup boasts a diverse range of stars, including legendary vocalist Chaka Khan, the smooth sounds of R&B group SWV, and rising luminaries like Tierra Whack and rapper Flo Milli. Each artist brings a unique flavor to the table, ensuring a month-long celebration of Black music’s powerful female voices. The Tiny Desk concerts are known for their intimate setting and stripped-down arrangements, allowing viewers to experience the raw talent of the performers. This Black Music Month special promises unforgettable renditions of classic hits and electrifying performances of contemporary sounds.
2. Salt-N-Pepa makes history as the first female rap act to have their own action figures
Salt-N-Pepa are the first female rappers to have their own action figures. The Salt-N-Pepa ReAction Figure 2-pack is inspired by their looks from the “Push It” music video and comes with a pair of microphone accessories. pic.twitter.com/5xPAX7MAzk
— CapCityHipHop (@capcityhiphop_) May 31, 2024
The legendary Salt-N-Pepa are back in the headlines for a new kind of performance. The pioneering rap group has become the first female rap act to be immortalized in action figure form. San Francisco-based pop culture powerhouse, Super7 is behind the history-making collectibles. The figures depict Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton in all their fierce glory, rocking their iconic looks from the music video for their 1987 smash hit “Push It.”
In addition, these detailed figures capture the essence of Salt-N-Pepa’s signature style, complete with their asymmetrical haircuts, statement door knocker earrings, red boots, and unmistakable black bodysuits and leather jackets. Each figure even comes with a microphone accessory, ready to drop rhymes on any play surface. The release of these figures is a landmark moment, not just for Salt-N-Pepa but for hip-hop culture as a whole.
3. Qing Madi makes Billboard’s 21 under 21 list
Billboard’s 21 Under 21: @Qingmadi 💫
AGE: 17
LABEL: Columbia Records/Bu Vision & Jton Music
PUBLISHER: Bu Vision
MANAGEMENT: Jton MusicLearn more + see the full 2024 list of the most innovative & influential young artists in the music industry: https://t.co/s7z2ZwYbAh pic.twitter.com/0hAfa71Pc8
— billboard (@billboard) May 31, 2024
Nigerian singer-songwriter Qing Madi is taking the music industry by storm, and the world is taking notice. The 17-year-old talent has landed a coveted spot on Billboard magazine’s prestigious 21 Under 21 list for 2024. Billboard’s annual list recognizes the brightest young stars under the age of 21 with the potential to become major forces in music. Joining the ranks of established names like Tate McRae and rising groups like NewJeans, Qing Madi stands out as a beacon of innovation and future success.
Madi’s meteoric rise began in 2023 with the release of her self-titled debut EP. The project quickly garnered attention, propelling her onto the scene. Qing Madi’s inclusion on Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list is a testament to her undeniable talent and early achievements. She is poised to become a global phenomenon with her captivating voice, songwriting prowess, and undeniable stage presence.
4. Donald Trump found guilty on all 34 felony counts
BREAKING: Donald Trump found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business documents in New York pic.twitter.com/Yq8LWihvRx
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) May 30, 2024
After weeks of testimony, former U.S. president, Donald J. Trump was found guilty on all charges. The trial, which began in April, saw Trump face 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to hide a “hush money” payment before the 2016 election. Lawyers from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office claimed the reimbursements were part of a scheme that was “election fraud.”
With this trial over, Trump still has more cases that might go to trial this year. Judge Aileen Cannon has postponed his classified documents case in Florida indefinitely, originally scheduled for May 20. Also, in the Fulton County election subversion case, no trial date is set yet, though prosecutors are asking for August 5. The trial is on hold as Trump and some co-defendants try to disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis, who brought the charges.
5. Mbappe signs Real Madrid deal
🚨⚪️ Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid, HERE WE GO! Every document has been signed, sealed and completed.
Real Madrid, set to announce Mbappé as new signing next week after winning the Champions League.
Mbappé made his decision in February; he can now be considered new Real player. pic.twitter.com/MMqEp1C0pK
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 2, 2024
French superstar Kylian Mbappe has finally sealed his long-awaited transfer to Real Madrid, signing a contract that will see him wear the famous white jersey until 2029. The 25-year-old forward joins Los Blancos on a free transfer after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired. This signing marks the end of a transfer saga that has dragged on for years. Mbappe has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid, and it almost happened in 2022 before he opted to stay with PSG. However, this time around, there was no last-minute change of heart.
According to reports, Mbappe’s contract includes a hefty salary of €15 million per year, along with a massive €150 million signing-on bonus spread over five years. Additionally, he will retain a percentage of his image rights, further sweetening the deal. The arrival of Mbappe is a major boost for Real Madrid. He is considered one of the best young players in the world, and his pace, skill, and goal-scoring ability are sure to excite the Bernabéu faithful.
Featured Image: @temsbaby/Instagram
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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