Erykah Badu announces first album in 15 years, Davido and others to headline AfroFuture Festival’s U.S. debut in Detroit, Japan becomes first nation to qualify for 2026 World Cup. 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. Erykah Badu announces first album in 15 years
ERYKAH BADU
THE ALCHEMISTNEW ALBUM 💿
🚨COMING SOON🚨 pic.twitter.com/nv3A6lAUCF
— NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) March 19, 2025
Erykah Badu is making her long-awaited return to music, confirming that she is deep into recording her first studio album in 15 years. In a recent interview with Billboard, the neo-soul legend revealed that she has been fully immersed in the creative process, collaborating with renowned producer The Alchemist. This marks a significant moment for fans who have eagerly awaited a new project since the release of “New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)” in 2010. While Badu has remained active through touring, collaborations, and her holistic ventures, this new album signals a fresh chapter in her storied career.
Although the album’s title and release date remain undisclosed, Badu expressed her deep commitment to crafting an experience that captures the full spectrum of emotions. “I want to be in the moment of the foreplay. Creating the music. The tragedy. The love. The experience of the whole thing,” she shared. The Alchemist’s signature blend of soulful yet gritty production, best known for his work with hip-hop elites like Freddie Gibbs and Kendrick Lamar, hints at an exciting sonic direction for the project.
2. Davido and others to headline AfroFuture Festival’s U.S. debut in Detroit
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AfroFuture Festival, formerly Afrochella, is making its U.S. debut in Detroit on August 16-17, with headliners Davido, Kaytranada, and Detroit’s own Tee Grizzley. The festival, a major celebration of African music and culture since 2017, is expanding its reach beyond Ghana to bring Afrobeats, Amapiano, hip-hop, and electronic music to an American audience. Also set to perform are Nigerian highlife star Flavour and Afrobeats sensation Lojay, ensuring a diverse musical experience.
Held at Bedrock’s Douglass Site, the festival will be produced by Paxahau, the team behind Detroit’s Movement Festival. In addition to performances, AfroFuture will feature a marketplace for Black designers and interactive cultural exhibits. CEO Abdul Karim Abdullah described the event as a fusion of music, fashion, and food, celebrating Black culture while embracing innovation. Presale tickets are currently on sale.
3. Rihanna, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys make the top 10 on Billboard’s Top 100 Women Artists of the 2000s list
Rihanna has officially been ranked the #2 biggest female artist of the 21st century by Billboard. pic.twitter.com/iJo0vNM5ME
— chart data (@chartdata) March 19, 2025
Billboard has unveiled its highly anticipated Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century list, with R&B powerhouses Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Alicia Keys securing spots in the top 10. Alicia Keys landed at No. 10, with Billboard praising her “piano-backed, smooth soul” that consistently resonated with listeners. The publication highlighted her early success, noting that six of her first seven Hot 100 entries reached the top 10, along with eight of her first nine albums making it to the top tier of the Billboard 200.
Beyoncé, despite being named Billboard’s Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century in December 2024, ranked at No. 3—a placement that sparked debate among fans. Billboard acknowledged her unparalleled impact, noting that all eight of her studio albums, from “Dangerously in Love” to “Cowboy Carter,” debuted at No. 1. Rihanna claimed the No. 2 spot, with the publication calling her a “sonic chameleon” who turned nearly every release into a smash hit. Fans marvel at her continued dominance despite not releasing an album since 2016. Taylor Swift secured the top position, while other notable artists on the list included Adele (No. 4), Mariah Carey (No. 12), and Nicki Minaj (No. 16).
4. Wizkid’s partner shares first glimpse of their daughter
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Nigerian music superstar Wizkid and his longtime partner, Jada Pollock, have given fans a subtle first look at their newborn daughter. Jada recently shared a series of photos on social media, with one particular image sparking widespread excitement. In the picture, she is seen sitting with two other women while cradling the baby in her lap. However, rather than revealing the infant’s face, the image only captured a glimpse of her pink shawl and tiny white socks, keeping her identity a mystery.
The post, which Jada captioned with a heartfelt message about being surrounded by her “favorite girls,” has since ignited speculation about when the couple might fully introduce their daughter to the world. Fans have been eagerly awaiting details since October 2024, when rumors of a pink-themed baby shower hinted that the Grammy-winning artist was expecting a daughter. With this latest tease, excitement continues to build as supporters celebrate Wizkid’s newest addition to his family.
5. Japan becomes the first nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup
JAPAN BECOME THE FIRST TEAM TO QUALIFY FOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP! 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/VHA8SlCzQK
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 20, 2025
Japan has officially secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first team to qualify through the tournament’s qualification process. The Samurai Blue clinched their spot with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain in Saitama, thanks to second-half goals from Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada and Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo. With three games still to play in the third round of Asian qualifiers, Japan’s dominant campaign has solidified its status as a powerhouse in the region. They join Canada, Mexico, and the United States—who qualified automatically as hosts—in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Under the guidance of manager Hajime Moriyasu, Japan has maintained an unbeaten streak in the qualifiers, with six wins and a draw in the third round, following a flawless second-round run of six victories. The team, featuring stars like Liverpool’s Wataru Endo, Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, and former Premier League winner Takumi Minamino, will now shift focus toward preparing for their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance. Meanwhile, second-placed Australia trails nine points behind, while the rest of the Asian qualifiers continue their battle for the remaining spots in the tournament.
Featured Image: Jamie Hawkesworth for Vogue
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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