SZA receives Hal David Starlight Award for Original Songwriting, Tems makes RollingStone’s Best Songs of 2024 List, Gervonta Davis knocks out Frank Martin to retain WBA title. 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. SZA receives Hal David Starlight Award for Original Songwriting
SZA says receiving the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame “validates my entire career” pic.twitter.com/e5MEXo5V70
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 14, 2024
Singer-songwriter SZA was honored with the Hal David Starlight Award at the 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala. This award recognizes artists who have made a significant impact on the music industry through their original songwriting. SZA, known for hits like “Good Days” and “Snooze,” joins a prestigious list of past recipients including Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Post Malone.
SZA’s emotional acceptance speech highlighted the significance of this award. “I’m just beyond all of my wildest dreams,” she said. She went on to express her gratitude, stating that the award “basically validates” her entire creative journey, “I’m just so grateful. Thank you for seeing me.” The ceremony also featured a special performance by the singer. She delivered a soulful acoustic rendition of her latest hit, “Snooze,” for the captivated audience.
2. Tems makes RollingStone’s Best Songs of 2024 List
.@RollingStone names Tems’ “Love Me JeJe” as one of the Best Songs of 2024.
🔗: https://t.co/yzRpzebseG pic.twitter.com/CS73GPgZJa
— tems 𝖘z𝖓 (@temsszn) June 13, 2024
Nigerian singer Tems continues her meteoric rise to global stardom, landing a coveted spot on Rolling Stone magazine’s prestigious “Best Songs of 2024” list. Her soulful single “Love Me JeJe” has been named one of the best songs of the year by the magazine. The song was released in April as the lead single from her debut album “Born in the Wild.”
The song interpolates Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 hit of the same name and even features a cameo from Sodimu in the music video, which Tems self-directed as a loving homage to her hometown of Lagos. Tems is the only African to be featured this year. This achievement further cements her position as a leading voice in Afrobeats’ global takeover.
3. South Africa: Tyla makes it clear that she never denied her Blackness in social media post
— Tyla (@Tyllaaaaaaa) June 13, 2024
South African singer Tyla took to social media to address recent speculation about her racial identity. The controversy arose following her interview on “The Breakfast Club” where the topic of South Africa’s “Colored” designation came up. In a social media post, Tyla stated, “Never denied my Blackness. [I don’t know] where that came from,” according to reports. She went on to explain her mixed heritage, including Black (Zulu), Irish, Mauritian, Indian, and Colored.
Tyla also acknowledged the difference in racial classifications between South Africa and other parts of the world. “In [South Africa], I would be classified as a Colored woman, and [in] other places, I would be classified as a Black woman,” she said. She added that she understands the complexities of the term “Colored” outside of South Africa and doesn’t expect that label to be used universally. The social media post concludes with a clear statement: “But, to close this conversation, I’m both Colored in South Africa and a Black woman.”
4. Omah Lay to feature on Kehlani’s upcoming album “Crash”
Omah Lay is a featured act on Kehlani forthcoming album dropping Next week Friday, Afrobeat to the world 🌏❤️ pic.twitter.com/JCNwPHHsBi
— ✞ (@Deyvxxd_) June 14, 2024
Nigerian singer Omah Lay is set to make a splash on the global scene once again with a feature on R&B powerhouse Kehlani’s upcoming album, “Crash.” The news comes as Kehlani unveiled the official tracklist for the project, slated for release on June 21.
Omah Lay, known for his brand of soulful Afrobeats, will be lending his vocals to the track “Tears.” This collaboration marks a meeting point between two of music’s most captivating artists, with Kehlani’s smooth vocals sure to blend seamlessly with Omah Lay’s signature melancholic charm. Fans of both artists are already buzzing with anticipation for “Tears,” eager to see how their distinct styles will converge.
5. Gervonta Davis knocks out Frank Martin to retain the WBA title
GERVONTA DAVIS JUST KNOCKED OUT FRANK MARTIN IN THE 8TH 🤯 pic.twitter.com/wZTdl75tUa
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) June 16, 2024
Gervonta “Tank” Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) delivered a powerful reminder of his punching prowess on Saturday night, knocking out Frank Martin in the eighth round to retain his WBA lightweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Davis, returning from a 14-month layoff, started slowly against a sharp Martin, who landed clean shots in the early rounds. But as the fight progressed, Davis’s pressure and power turned the tide. A series of stinging punches in the sixth had the crowd buzzing, and the seventh saw Davis unload a flurry in the corner, stunning Martin with a left hook.
The eighth round proved decisive. Davis landed a devastating left uppercut followed by a left hook that crumpled Martin to the canvas. The referee’s count was academic, as Martin remained motionless, handing Davis a dominant victory. “I knew the way he fell he wasn’t getting back up,” said Davis afterward. The win extended his unbeaten record and solidified his reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the lightweight division.
Featured Image: @mefeater/X
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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