Will Smith’s “Bad Boys” tops the American box office, African artists make Spotify’s 30 Songs of the Summer 2024 list, AC Milan names ex-Lille boss Fonseca as new manager. 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. Will Smith’s “Bad Boys” tops the American box office
‘BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE’ debuts at #1 at the domestic box office with a $56M+ opening weekend. pic.twitter.com/Lr8D6p26QK
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) June 9, 2024
Will Smith scored a major win this weekend as the highly anticipated “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” debuted at number one on the North American box office chart. The fourth installment in the action-comedy franchise, which also stars Martin Lawrence, brought in an estimated $56 million according to Exhibitor Relations, marking a strong comeback for Smith after a difficult 2022. This is a significant milestone for Smith, following the controversy surrounding the 2022 Academy Awards. “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” serves as his first major box office hit since then, indicating a potential shift in audience reception.
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” stands out as the biggest R-rated opening since “Oppenheimer,” showcasing continued audience demand for action-packed thrillers. The film also surpassed its production budget of $100 million, demonstrating its commercial viability. This is a welcome change for Smith after his previous film, “Emancipation,” failed to resonate with audiences.
2. African artists make Spotify’s 30 Songs of the Summer 2024 list
🚨Only 3 Songs from African Acts appear on the Spotify Songs of the Summer List:
• Love me Jeje — Tems 🇳🇬
• Tshwala Bam Remix — Titom, Yuppe & Burna Boy 🇿🇦
• Jump — Tyla, Gunna, Skillibeng 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/3DmJq1Y4G6— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) June 12, 2024
As summer sizzles, so does the music scene, and Spotify’s annual Songs of the Summer playlist is here to soundtrack the fun. This year’s lineup features a global blend of genres, with African artists making a showing. While pop and hip-hop dominate the playlist, Afrobeats holds a sizzling 10% spot, thanks to heavyweights like Burna Boy. “Tshwala Bam Remix,” featuring Burna Boy brings the fire with its signature blend of traditional African rhythms and modern beats, sure to be a hit at summer parties. “Santa” by Rvssian, Rauw Alejandro, and Ayra Starr, which also made the list, is a summer smash that’s already surpassed 200 million streams on Spotify. This catchy track exemplifies the cross-pollination of sounds that’s defining today’s music scene.
Dancehall also gets a nod with the record-breaking “Jump” by Tyla, featuring Gunna and Skillibeng. This energetic collaboration between African, Jamaican, and American artists is the only dancehall track on the playlist, but it holds the title for the longest-reigning number one on the UK Afrobeats Chart featuring a Jamaican artist. Spotify’s Songs of the Summer 2024 list highlights the growing influence of African music on the global stage.
3. South Africa: DJ Zinhle surprises her husband Murdah Bongz with a car for his 37th birthday
Dj Zinhle buys a brand new car for her husband murda bongz on his birthday pic.twitter.com/ToJc4zPEwF
— kokota.afrika (@kokotafrika) June 11, 2024
South African musician Bongani Mohosana, better known by his stage name Murdah Bongz, turned 37 on June 9, and his wife, DJ Zinhle, made sure it was a birthday to remember. In a heartwarming surprise, she gifted her husband a stunning classic car, leaving him speechless and emotional.
The news broke on Murdah Bongz’s Instagram, where he shared clips from his birthday celebration. The videos showcase a joyous gathering of family and friends, culminating in the singer’s shock and delight as he discovers a magnificent cobra convertible, bathed in a deep purple hue, waiting for him. The excitement was so raw that even a request to keep the car a secret until Murdah Bongz saw it wasn’t enough to contain his joy.
4. Jeezy and Jeannie Mai finalize divorce, case placed under seal
Jeezy and Jeannie Mai are officially divorced!
— BET (@BET) June 13, 2024
Jeannie Mai and Jeezy, whose split dominated headlines last year, have officially ended their marriage. It was reported that the couple finalized their divorce on Tuesday, June 11, in Georgia’s Fulton County Superior Court. The details of the settlement, including child support, custody arrangements for their 2-year-old daughter Monaco, and any property divisions, are being kept private. According to court documents obtained by multiple outlets, the judge ordered that the settlement agreement and child support worksheet be sealed.
Jeezy, born Jay Wayne Jenkins, filed for divorce in September 2023 after two and a half years of marriage. He cited “irreconcilable differences” and requested joint legal custody of their daughter. The former couple reportedly had a pre-nuptial agreement in place. While the exact reasons behind the split remain unclear, Jeannie Mai made public accusations of infidelity, physical abuse, and child neglect against Jeezy in the months following the separation. The rapper denied these allegations on social media.
5. AC Milan names ex-Lille boss Fonseca as new manager
𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐨 𝐅𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐚
Official Statement 👉 https://t.co/8VToZbcKxv
Comunicato Ufficiale 👉 https://t.co/ZTnirAMhqY#SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/mMAkh0vEBR
— AC Milan (@acmilan) June 13, 2024
AC Milan have named Paulo Fonseca as their new manager, signing the 51-year-old Portuguese to a three-year deal until 2027. Fonseca takes over from Stefano Pioli, who departed the Rossoneri by mutual consent after the team finished fourth in Serie A. Fonseca arrives at San Siro after a two-year stint at French club Lille. Despite leading Les Dogues to a fourth-place finish in Ligue 1 last season, they narrowly missed out on automatic Champions League qualification. Lille’s European campaign also ended in disappointment, with a penalty shootout defeat to Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals.
The Portuguese manager is no stranger to success, having previously managed Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Porto. He’s known for his attacking brand of football, which is expected to be a welcome change for Milan fans after Pioli’s more pragmatic approach. While AC Milan had initially targeted other managers, including Sergio Conceicao and Julen Lopetegui, those moves fell through. Fonseca, however, was reportedly keen on the role, despite interest from Marseille.
Featured Image: @willsmith/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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