Kendrick Lamar leads BET Awards 2025 Nominations with 10 nods, Rema receives special recognition from Mayor of Boston, Juventus confirm signing of Lloyd Kelly from Newcastle. 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.
Here is a rundown of five of the hottest news topics…
1. Kendrick Lamar leads BET Awards 2025 Nominations with 10 nods
Kendrick Lamar leads the 2025 BET Awards with 10 nominations — including album of the year for ‘GNX’ and video of the year for his Drake diss, “Not Like Us” 🔥
Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla follow close behind with six nods each, while Metro Boomin, SZA and The Weeknd also… pic.twitter.com/WlMxsNgoRu
— billboard hip-hop/r&b (@billboardhiphop) May 8, 2025
The BET Awards 2025 nominees were announced on May 8, with Kendrick Lamar emerging as the most nominated artist, earning a staggering ten nods across major categories. Lamar’s critically acclaimed album “GNX” is up for Album of the Year, while his explosive hit “Not Like Us” is nominated for both Video of the Year and Viewer’s Choice Award. He also received three Best Collaboration nominations for standout tracks “Like That,” “30 for 30,” and “Luther” featuring SZA, as well as a nod for Video Director of the Year with longtime collaborator Dave Free and a nomination for Best Male Hip Hop Artist.
Following closely behind are Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla, each scoring six nominations. Rising star Doechii was recognized for her genre-defying project Alligator Bites Never Heal and her single “Denial is a River.” Drake earned nods for both R&B and hip hop categories, including Album of the Year for “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U.” Future’s collaborations with Metro Boomin fueled his nominations, including their joint album “We Don’t Trust You.” At the same time, GloRilla impressed with a diverse spread of nominations ranging from gospel to hip hop. Metro Boomin landed five nominations, while SZA and The Weeknd each secured four. The nominations, selected by the BET Voting Academy, highlight the depth and diversity of Black creative excellence across music, film, sports, and media.
2. Rema receives special recognition from the Mayor of Boston
Rema received a certificate of Recognition from the Mayor of Boston, after his performance in the city last night 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HvfaPjBI7r
— SoundPool (@thesoundpool) May 7, 2025
Nigerian music superstar Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has received a prestigious certificate of recognition from the Mayor of Boston, celebrating his global impact and dedication to promoting African culture through music. The City of Boston commended Rema for his outstanding contribution to the international music scene, noting how his Afrobeats sound has brought joy to diverse audiences while preserving and amplifying African identity.
In a formal statement, the Mayor acknowledged Rema’s ability to bridge cultural divides and elevate African creativity on the world stage. The certificate hailed his efforts in ensuring that the rhythms of Afrobeats echo far beyond Nigeria’s borders. “On behalf of the City of Boston, we honor Rema for championing Afrobeat and promoting African culture worldwide,” the citation read. This recognition adds to the singer’s growing list of international accolades, reinforcing his status as one of Africa’s most influential musical exports.
3. Robert Prevost of the United States is named Pope Leo XIV
The new pope is revealed as Robert Prevost of the US, the first American pontiff in history. He’ll be known as Pope Leo XIV. https://t.co/8E04SUErJj pic.twitter.com/cPlSBxFwpa
— CNN (@CNN) May 8, 2025
In a historic decision, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States has been elected pope, becoming the first American to lead the Catholic Church in its two-thousand-year history. Prevost, 69, a former missionary in Peru and most recently the head of the Vatican’s powerful Dicastery for Bishops, chose the name Leo XIV. His election was announced with the traditional white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 6:07 p.m. local time Thursday, signaling the successful conclusion of the conclave.
Prevost’s elevation follows a closely watched papal conclave in which 135 cardinal-electors cast secret ballots in isolation, selecting a new spiritual leader for the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. Known for his deep experience in Latin America and his central role in shaping the global episcopate, Prevost was considered a rising figure under the late Pope Francis, who appointed him to oversee bishop nominations. His election represents a significant shift for the Church, which has never before seen an American pontiff ascend to the papacy.
4. Nollywood actor Okey Bakassi crowned king in Imo State
Veteran Nollywood actor and comedian Okey Bakassi has been crowned the king of the Umuihuocha community in Imo State. The respected entertainer, known for his decades-long contributions to Nigeria’s film and comedy industries, shared the joyous news on his Instagram page on May 7. In a video posted from the ceremony, Bakassi was seen adorned in traditional regalia, surrounded by family, friends, and community leaders, as he received his royal title in a colorful and emotional inauguration.
The coronation has sparked a wave of celebration across social media, with fans and fellow entertainers congratulating him on the new honor. Many praised the community for recognizing one of their own with such a prestigious role, lauding Bakassi not only for his contributions to entertainment but also for his longstanding advocacy for social development. His new role as king is expected to deepen his influence both culturally and socially, particularly in community-building efforts within Imo State and beyond.
5. Juventus confirm signing of Lloyd Kelly from Newcastle
🚨⚪️⚫️ Juventus confirm obligation to buy clause for Lloyd Kelly has now been activated for €17.5m with add-ons.
It was always a permanent move planned with no chance of return to Newcastle but now formally completed. pic.twitter.com/bS1VYxjioL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 8, 2025
Juventus have officially completed the permanent signing of Lloyd Kelly from Newcastle United, activating their obligation-to-buy clause after the defender’s successful loan spell in Turin. The 26-year-old joined the Italian giants in January and has since made 13 appearances, impressing enough to secure a full-time move. Juventus will pay €17.5 million plus add-ons for Kelly, ending what turned out to be a brief stint with Newcastle.
Kelly originally arrived at St James’ Park on a free transfer from Bournemouth last summer, but struggled for regular game time, making only 14 appearances in all competitions. His switch to Serie A has proven more fruitful, and he now looks set to play a part in Juventus’ push to finish in the top four and secure a Champions League spot next season. With three league matches remaining, Kelly will be aiming to help solidify the club’s defensive line and contribute to a strong end to the campaign.
Featured Image: Robert Kamau/Getty Images
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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