Lauryn Hill’s Only Album Tops Apple Music’s 100 Best Albums List

“The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” tops Apple Music’s 100 Best Albums List, Tekno signs imprint and equity deal with emPawa Africa, Serena Williams teases return to tennis with message on social media. 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. “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” tops Apple Music’s 100 Best Albums List

The full #100BestAlbums list is here. Explore now. https://t.co/KVsV7L0aDJ pic.twitter.com/WZmO9xkwX8

— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) May 22, 2024

In a move that’s sure to spark conversation among music fans, Lauryn Hill’s groundbreaking 1998 solo album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” has been named the best album of all time by Apple Music. The streaming giant began to unveil its highly-anticipated 100 Best Albums List last week, culminating in the reveal of the top 10 on Wednesday. Hill’s critically acclaimed debut, which tackled themes of love, loss, societal pressures, and motherhood with raw honesty, edged out classics by music titans like Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Prince, Frank Ocean, and Beyoncé to claim the top spot. “This is my award, but it’s a rich, deep narrative, and involves so many people, and so much sacrifice, and so much time, and so much collective love,” Hill said in a statement to Apple Music upon receiving the news.

The 10-day countdown saw Apple Music reveal 10 albums each day, building anticipation for the top 10 best albums. The final list includes a diverse range of genres and eras, with entries from Nirvana, Kendrick Lamar, Amy Winehouse, and Stevie Wonder rounding out the top ten alongside Hill.

2. Tekno signs imprint and equity deal with emPawa Africa

We are excited to announce that the renowned Nigerian artist and maestro producer, @alhajitekno , is now officially a partner artist and investor at emPawa Africa!#empawapresentsTekno #empawaafrica #tekno #mreazi #africanmusic pic.twitter.com/BvEfgl7VfK

— emPawa Africa (@emPawaAfrica) May 22, 2024

Nigerian music heavyweight Tekno has signed a landmark deal with emPawa Africa, a talent incubator program founded by Mr. Eazi. The deal includes the creation of Tekno’s imprint under emPawa Africa and a significant equity stake for the artist. This strategic partnership marks a new chapter for Tekno and the incubator program. Tekno, known for chart-topping hits like “Duro” and “Pana,” will leverage emPawa Africa’s resources and expertise to further solidify his position in the global music scene.

emPawa Africa, on the other hand, gains the influence and star power of a proven Afropop leader, expanding their reach and impact. Details of the imprint, including its name and artistic direction, are yet to be revealed. However, music fans can expect Tekno to maintain his signature sound while potentially nurturing and spotlighting new talent through his imprint.

3. The 2025 Grammy Awards date and new eligibility period confirmed

#GRAMMYs Key Dates:
⭐️ Sept. 16, 2023 – Aug. 30, 2024: Product Eligibility Period
🗳 Oct.4, 2024 – Oct.15, 2024: 1st Round Voting
🎶 Nov. 8, 2024: GRAMMY Nominations
🗳 Dec.12, 2024 – Jan.3, 2025: Final Round Voting
🏆 Feb. 2, 2025: 67th GRAMMY Awards

➡️ https://t.co/aRC2zNAskY pic.twitter.com/i10X6XkhIr

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) May 21, 2024

The Recording Academy has officially announced the date and key deadlines for the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. The prestigious awards show will return to Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, February 2, 2025. But the celebration starts well before the ceremony, with nominations revealed on November 8, 2024. This news comes alongside confirmation of the eligibility period for works hoping to contend for a Grammy.

Recordings released between September 16, 2023, and August 30, 2024, are in the running. This timeframe ensures releases from the latter half of 2023 can be considered alongside projects hitting shelves for most of 2024. The Recording Academy will also hold voting periods for its esteemed voting members. The first round will take place between October 4 and 15, 2024, followed by the final round from December 12, 2024, to January 3, 2025.

4. Angel Reese becomes part-owner of DC women’s soccer team

Welcome DC Power FC Co-Owner, @Reese10Angel!

“I’m honored to be able to support Power FC and invest in women’s soccer in the DMV community to continue elevating female athletes and the women’s game across the board.” – Angel Reese pic.twitter.com/BaasN16vdk

— DC Power Football Club (@DCPowerFC) May 21, 2024

Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese is adding another impressive accomplishment to her already-packed resume: being part-owner of a professional sports team. On Tuesday, she was revealed as a founding investor in the DC Power Football Club, a brand new women’s soccer team set to debut this summer. This move signifies Reese’s expanding influence in the world of women’s sports. While excelling on the court for the Sky, she’s now diving into the ownership ranks, aligning with her desire to empower female athletes.

“I’ve always wanted to impact sports, not just women’s basketball,” Reese said in a statement. “This is an opportunity to be a part of something special, to inspire young Black women and show them they have a place in ownership too.” The DC Power will compete in the inaugural season of the USL Super League that kicks off in August. The eight-team league represents a significant development for professional women’s soccer in the United States.

5. Serena Williams teases return to tennis with message on social media

I’m ready to hit some balls again

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) May 21, 2024

Tennis fans around the world are buzzing after 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams sparked speculation about a return to the court. On Tuesday, Williams posted a brief but cryptic message on X (formerly Twitter) that read, “I’m ready to hit some balls again.” The message quickly went viral, with many interpreting it as a hint at a comeback after her apparent retirement in 2022. Williams’ last competitive match was at the US Open in September 2022. Though she never officially uttered the word “retirement,” she did suggest she was “evolving away from tennis” after a dominant career that redefined the sport.

Williams’s latest social media post has reignited hope for a return, especially considering her previous comments about not being a fan of the term “retirement.” This isn’t the first time the mother-of-two has hinted at a comeback. In 2022, she spoke at a tech conference, stating that the chances of her returning were “very high.” While there’s no official confirmation yet, fans are eagerly awaiting any further information from the tennis icon.

Featured Image: Irma Mchedlishvili via @mslaurynhill/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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