Drake files a federal lawsuit against Universal Music Group in New York, Wizkid’s “Made In Lagos” makes African history after re-entering Billboard chart, Gunners confirm Gabriel Jesus requires surgery on ACL injury. 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. Drake files a federal lawsuit against Universal Music Group in New York
Drake’s new lawsuit against UMG over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”:
“It was just three days after UMG originally published the Recording and Image that Drake was targeted at his Toronto house by armed intruders in the 2024 equivalent of ‘Pizzagate.’”https://t.co/EVhVle8tsx pic.twitter.com/fMwDvoWQLp
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) January 15, 2025
On Wednesday, January 15, Drake filed a federal lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) in the Southern District of New York, accusing the label of defamation and harassment. The lawsuit stems from Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us,” which Drake alleges caused significant damage to his reputation. According to the filing, UMG exploited the track through aggressive marketing, despite knowing its lyrics falsely portrayed Drake as a “criminal pedophile.” The complaint also cited the song’s inflammatory cover art and detailed security breaches at his Toronto residence, which forced him to remove his son, Adonis, from school for safety concerns.
Drake further alleged that Universal Music Group’s actions were motivated by ongoing contract negotiations, suggesting the label aimed to leverage his tarnished reputation to secure more favorable terms for Lamar. The lawsuit also implicated Spotify and iHeartMedia in a scheme to amplify “Not Like Us” using bots and manipulative practices. The rapper had initially filed two state lawsuits against UMG in New York and Texas. While the petition in New York was withdrawn, a second hearing is set to take place in Texas later this month, highlighting the strained relationship between Drake and his former label.
2. Wizkid’s “Made In Lagos” makes African history after re-entering Billboard chart
Wizkid’s “Made In Lagos” album has re-entered Billboard World Album chart this week at #24.
It’s now the first and only African album appear on the chart 6 different years:
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025 pic.twitter.com/t6Zy4mlFh3— BASITO (@itzbasito) January 14, 2025
Wizkid’s critically acclaimed fourth studio album, “Made In Lagos,” continues to break barriers. The album has made history by re-entering the Billboard World Album chart for the sixth consecutive year, an unprecedented feat for any African artist. This remarkable achievement solidifies the album’s status as a global phenomenon and a testament to the enduring power of Afrobeats music.
Since its release in 2020, “Made In Lagos” has consistently charted on the Billboard World Album chart, showcasing its immense commercial success. The album’s impact extends beyond Africa, with significant achievements in the United States, including a debut on the Billboard 200 and an impressive 100-week run on the Billboard World Album chart. The hit single “Essence,” featuring Tems, played a crucial role in the album’s global success, particularly the remix featuring Justin Bieber, which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, setting a record for the highest-charting Afrobeats song.
3. Britain’s Princess of Wales says her cancer is in remission
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, announces she is in remission from cancer. pic.twitter.com/QeBsIvP3Zg
— Pop Base (@PopBase) January 14, 2025
The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, announced Tuesday that her cancer is in remission, sharing the news while visiting the Royal Marsden Hospital where she received treatment. In a statement on social media, she thanked everyone who supported her and Prince William throughout their challenging journey. During the hospital visit, Kate met with other patients, offering words of encouragement and sharing her own experiences with cancer treatment.
The Princess of Wales stressed that while in remission, she will continue her gradual return to public duties. This positive news comes after a challenging year for the royal family, marked by health concerns for both King Charles III and the Princess of Wales.
4. South Africa: Kwaito legend Doc Shebeleza has died
Legendary kwaito artist Doc Shebeleza has died at age 51 🕊
— DJ Mag (@DJmag) January 15, 2025
Renowned Kwaito star Doc Shebeleza, born Victor Bogopane, has died at the age of 51. His manager, Shakes Mavundla, confirmed the news, stating that Shebeleza passed away around 10:30 AM last Thurdsday after being discharged from the hospital earlier in the week. Known for his electrifying hits and significant contributions to the kwaito genre, Doc Shebeleza had been battling a life-threatening illness for several months, which included a recent stay in intensive care. In December, his family sought financial assistance to cover essential medication, underscoring the challenges he faced in his final days.
A Soweto native, Doc Shebeleza rose to fame in the 1990s with hits like “Ghets Ghetsa” and “S’kumfete,” becoming a household name and an inspiration to younger artists. Beyond music, he dedicated himself to philanthropic efforts, such as building homes for underprivileged communities. His legacy was immortalized when Cassper Nyovest paid tribute to him in the 2014 hit single “Doc Shebeleza.” His passing follows that of fellow artist Winnie Khumalo earlier this week, marking a somber moment for South Africa’s music industry.
5. Gunners confirm Gabriel Jesus requires surgery on ACL injury
Arsenal have confirmed that Gabriel Jesus will have surgery in the coming days 🤕 pic.twitter.com/492ayYJkY8
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 14, 2025
Arsenal have confirmed that Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus will undergo surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained during their FA Cup defeat to Manchester United on Sunday. Jesus was forced off the pitch after 41 minutes, and subsequent assessments and scans confirmed the severity of the injury. In a statement, the club said, “Gabby will undergo surgery in the coming days and will soon begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme.” The injury deals a significant blow to Arsenal’s squad as they aim to maintain momentum in their Premier League title challenge.
The injury leaves Mikel Arteta with limited options in attack, as Kai Havertz is now the only available striker. Jesus had been in fine form before the setback, scoring six goals in his last seven appearances. With Eddie Nketiah sold to Crystal Palace and Reiss Nelson on loan at Fulham, Arsenal’s attacking depth is severely impacted. The club is reportedly intensifying efforts to sign a striker in the January transfer window to address the void left by Jesus’ absence.
Featured Image: @champagnepapi/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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