Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah make history as first rappers to receive the National Medal of Arts, Davido announces release date for “Awuke” ft. Bob Marley’s grandson, YG Marley, Liverpool to make more than £60m a season with new Adidas kit 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. Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah make history as the first rappers to receive the National Medal of Arts
🙏🏾I am HUMBLY GRATEFUL! Crying Tears of JOY! Thinking of the days I wasn’t so strong but through FAITH & PRAYER I kept going..I’m SO THANKFUL🙏🏾@POTUS 🙏🏾& CONGRATULATIONS to the other amazing ppl who was blessed with this honor🙌🏾☺️ https://t.co/F86ksfZZsM
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) October 22, 2024
Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah made history on Monday, October 21, as the first rappers to be awarded the prestigious National Medal of Arts by President Joe Biden during a White House ceremony. The award, the highest honor for artists in the United States, recognizes their significant contributions to American culture through their groundbreaking music and influence. This historic moment took place as part of a larger ceremony honoring 39 notable figures from various artistic fields, including Spike Lee, LeVar Burton, and the late Selena Quintanilla. President Biden praised the recipients, noting their impact in “making America a better place.”
Elliott shared her joy on social media, posting an emotional message on X (formerly Twitter) and expressing her gratitude for the honor. “I am HUMBLY GRATEFUL! Crying Tears of JOY! … I’m SO THANKFUL @POTUS & CONGRATULATIONS to the other amazing ppl who was blessed with this honor,” she wrote. She also congratulated her fellow honoree, Queen Latifah, saying, “Thank you for kicking down doors QUEEN for me & those after you.” The two rap legends have long been trailblazers in the music industry, and their recognition with the National Medal of Arts marks a milestone for hip-hop culture in mainstream American recognition.
2. Davido announces release date for “Awuke” ft. Bob Marley’s grandson, YG Marley
AWUKE with @Ygmarley drops October 31st 🇳🇬🇯🇲 Get ready for the motion 5️⃣
pre-save: https://t.co/zNvwM3fCxP pic.twitter.com/HLHjECmpqE
— Davido (@davido) October 22, 2024
Afrobeats superstar Davido has announced the release date for his highly anticipated new single, “Awuke,” featuring YG Marley, the grandson of reggae icon Bob Marley. Set to drop on Thursday, October 31, this track will mark Davido’s first solo release of the year following a series of collaborations and his 2023 album, Timeless. Known for his versatility, Davido’s upcoming release will feature an Amapiano sound, a departure from YG Marley’s reggae heritage, sparking excitement about the fusion of musical styles.
The Nigerian artist announced on social media, sharing a pre-save link for fans eager to be the first to hear “Awuke.” The track is expected to bring a fresh vibe to the Afrobeats scene, as Davido continues to push creative boundaries while collaborating with international talent. Fans are buzzing with anticipation, as the combination of Davido’s infectious sound and YG Marley’s rich musical lineage promises to deliver something special.
3. South Africa: Siya and Rachel Kolisi are calling it quits
I’ve never been this heartbroken by strangers on the internet 😭😭💔💔
Not Rachel and Siya Kolisi ☹️☹️ pic.twitter.com/uB6bZg0Ome
— Perseverance Maremeni (@madam___speaker) October 22, 2024
In a surprising and heartfelt announcement, South African rugby star Siya Kolisi and his wife Rachel have revealed their decision to separate, ending their decade-long marriage. The couple, long celebrated as South Africa’s beloved “it” pair, shared the news in a joint statement, expressing their gratitude for the love and support they’ve received over the years. They acknowledged their challenges, stating, “We’ve grown apart, and our journey has taken us in different directions … We’ll always cherish the memories and lessons shared.”
While their relationship is coming to an end, Siya and Rachel emphasize that they remain great friends and will continue to co-parent their children with the same love and care. They also plan to maintain their joint work on their charitable foundation, which has made a meaningful impact in South Africa.
4. Eminem introduces Barack Obama at Kamala Harris’ Detroit campaign rally
Rapper Eminem introduces former President Barack Obama at a Detroit rally for Vice President Kamala Harris. pic.twitter.com/SGURWEGAMw
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) October 23, 2024
In a surprise appearance on Tuesday night (October 22), Eminem took the stage at a Detroit rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign to introduce former President Barack Obama. Addressing the crowd, the Detroit-native rap icon emphasized the critical role Michigan plays as a swing state in the upcoming election. “The spotlight is on us more than ever,” Eminem said, urging voters to make their voices heard. He also spoke about the importance of protecting freedom of expression, adding, “I think that VP Harris supports a future where these freedoms will be upheld.”
After Eminem’s introduction, Obama thrilled the audience by playfully rapping along to the rapper’s iconic hit “Lose Yourself,” quoting the song’s famous lyrics. “I notice my palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy,” Obama joked, referencing his nerves about following Eminem on stage. The rally was one of several high-profile events aimed at boosting voter turnout in key swing states, with other celebrities like Usher and Lizzo also lending their star power to Harris’s campaign in Georgia and Michigan over the past weekend.
5. Liverpool to make ‘more than £60m a season’ with new Adidas kit deal
(🟢) NEW:
Liverpool’s new multi-year kit deal with Adidas is set to be worth more than £60million per season.
[@_pauljoyce] pic.twitter.com/XoiFkuPAXF— The Anfield Talk (@TheAnfieldTalk) October 22, 2024
Liverpool FC is set to secure a lucrative new kit sponsorship deal with Adidas, reportedly worth more than £60 million per season. This fresh partnership, beginning next summer, will mark the end of Liverpool’s five-year contract with Nike. The Adidas agreement is expected to provide a significant financial boost for the club, potentially doubling the income from their current kit deal. Though the exact terms remain undisclosed, the value will likely be influenced by performance incentives and shirt sales, aligning with the club’s on-pitch success over the next five years.
Under the current Nike deal, Liverpool earns a guaranteed £30 million per year, supplemented by a 20% royalty on net merchandise sales. Nike has played a key role in boosting the club’s global recognition by partnering with high-profile ambassadors like LeBron James, Serena Williams, and Drake. The annual earnings from Nike have risen to approximately £60 million, but the upcoming Adidas deal will see Liverpool join Premier League giants like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea, whose kit deals range from £60 to £65 million per season. The agreement places Liverpool in direct competition with the biggest earners in the league, trailing only Manchester United’s record-breaking £90 million per season deal with Adidas.
Featured Image: @missymisdemeanorelliott @queenlatifah/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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