Danielle Brooks gets first Oscar nomination, Burna Boy makes African history with fifth Billboard Hot 100 entry, Karim Benzema asks to leave Al-Ittihad. 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. Danielle Brooks gets first Oscar nomination
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Danielle Brooks, the powerhouse actress known for her captivating roles in “Orange is the New Black” and “The Color Purple,” has received her first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. This prestigious nod cements her status as a rising star and one of the most versatile talents in Hollywood. Brooks’s nomination stems from her electrifying performance as Sofia in the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple.” Her fiery portrayal of Celie’s headstrong sister resonated with audiences and critics alike, earning her widespread acclaim and numerous award nominations.
Her powerful vocals and raw emotional vulnerability breathed new life into the iconic character, solidifying her as a force to be reckoned with on the big screen. The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 10, and Brooks faces stiff competition in the Best Supporting Actress category. However, her undeniable talent and the sheer power of her performance in “The Color Purple” make her a strong contender for the coveted golden statuette.
2. Burna Boy makes African history with fifth Billboard Hot 100 entry
Billboard Hot 100: #67(new) just like me, @21savage, @BurnaBoy & @MetroBoomin.
— chart data (@chartdata) January 22, 2024
Grammy-winning Afro-fusion star Burna Boy is leading the exportation of Nigerian culture through his award-winning music, which continues to enjoy global commercial acclaim. In another feat, the megastar has logged his fifth entry on the Billboard Hot 100 as his collaboration “Just Like Me” with American rapper 21 Savage and music producer Metro Boomin’ debuted at 67 on the chart dated January 27, 2024. “Just Like Me” becomes Burna Boy’s fifth entry on the Billboard Hot 100 following the charting of his hit singles “Last Last” (2022), “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” (2023) featuring 21 Savage, “Talibans II” with Byron Messia (2023), and his appearance on Justin Bieber’s “Loved By You” (2021).
This makes Burna Boy the Nigerian artist with the most Billboard Hot 100 entries. A record he shares with Nigerian singing sensation Tems. Burna Boy also becomes the only African artist to debut at least one song on the Billboard Hot 100 in four consecutive years.
3. South Africa: Nadia Nakai previews her tribute single to AKA ‘Never Leave’
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As Nadia Nakai gears up to launch a tribute album in honor of her late boyfriend, Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, who was shot dead on February 10, 2023, she’s shared a preview with her fans. The rapper took to her timeline on Monday to share a snippet of the first single, Never Leave, which is set to be released on January 26. “I Miss You. Happy Heavenly Birthday (January 28, 2024),” she captioned the post. While Nadia has been candid about mourning her boyfriend, she has also been spending a lot of time in the studio.
4. Rema is set to appear on Jason Derulo’s new album
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Rema is another talent leading the exportation of Nigerian culture through his music, which has gained commercial success globally. In another move to connect with international listeners, Rema is set to appear on the “Nu King” album of American pop star Jason Derulo. The Afrobeats star will join other superstars, including Nicki Minaj, TY Dollar$, French Montana, Quavo, Adam Levine, and EDM legend David Guetta, among other artists, on Jason Derulo’s upcoming album. Rema and Derulo previously appeared together on the “Ayo Girl” remix by Belgian music producer Robinson.
5. Karim Benzema asks to leave Al-Ittihad ‘due to pressure’
🚨 Al-Ittihad’s stance on Karim Benzema has NOT changed. They are very reluctant to sanction any move and will not entertain paying any of his wages if he does eventually leave on loan.
Benzema turning up for mid-season training camp 17 days late did not go down well within the… pic.twitter.com/eIFtXB0QZA
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 23, 2024
Karim Benzema has reportedly asked to leave Al-Ittihad “due to pressure” amid links with a sensational transfer to Manchester United. After a surprise dip in form following his summer move to Al-Ittihad, the 36-year-old striker has been frozen out by manager Marcelo Gallardo. Benzema returned to training 17 days late from his winter break, which was attributed to a storm in Mauritius that left him stranded, but Gallardo is keeping him on the sidelines. Now, according to reports, Benzema has sought permission to leave Al-Ittihad so that he can reignite his career elsewhere.
The Ballon d’Or winner was offered the chance to continue at a different club in Saudi Arabia with a loan transfer, but the forward has reportedly knocked back the proposal. The Real Madrid legend remains adamant about leaving the Middle East and has insisted that he is “unable to give the best version of himself due to the pressure,” as the scrutiny and criticism from fans and pundits have intensified since his move to the Gulf State.
Featured Image: @thedaniellebrooks/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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