Ayra Starr becomes the first Nigerian female artist to reach 1 billion YouTube views, Drake confirms the return of OVO Fest, Tennis ‘Big Four’ reunite at Rafael Nadal’s French Open farewell. 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. Ayra Starr becomes the first Nigerian female artist to reach 1 billion YouTube views
Ayra Starr becomes first Nigerian female artist to hit 1 billion YouTube views pic.twitter.com/VuJta1dXgu
— The Nation Nigeria (@TheNationNews) May 26, 2025
Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr has reached a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first Nigerian female artist to surpass 1 billion views on YouTube. This achievement places her among the elite group of Nigerian superstars—including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, and Davido—who have crossed the billion-view mark on the platform. Known for her captivating vocals and genre-defying style, Ayra Starr’s rise has been marked by viral hits and global recognition. Leading her impressive catalogue is the Grammy-nominated single “Rush,” which has amassed over 450 million views and earned her a UK platinum plaque, solidifying its place as one of the most viewed Afrobeats music videos by a Nigerian female artist.
The 2025 music calendar has already been eventful for the Mavin Records star, who recently dropped “Gimme Dat” featuring Wizkid—a track that samples Wyclef Jean’s classics “Diallo” and “911.” Earlier in the year, she claimed two MOBO Awards and added to her Headies collection with a win for Best R&B Single for “Last Heartbreak Song” featuring Giveon. With her latest YouTube achievement adding to the growing list of accolades and record-breaking achievements, Ayra Starr continues to cement her place as one of Africa’s most powerful cultural exports and a trailblazer for women in the global music industry.
2. Drake confirms the Return of OVO Fest
OVO FEST 2025 🦉
Drake was at Central Cee’s Toronto concert and announced OVO Fest is returning in 2025 — with Central Cee as a confirmed guest 🔥🦉 pic.twitter.com/MZhnCbQmLN
— Kurrco (@Kurrco) May 25, 2025
Toronto’s music scene is buzzing once again as Drake has officially confirmed the return of OVO Fest, revealing during a surprise appearance at a Central Cee concert that the beloved event will make its comeback this summer. “I’ll see you this summer by the way. OVO Fest will be back this year,” the rapper told an ecstatic crowd, hinting that Central Cee could be part of the lineup by adding, “We’ll need you there for that.” While no further details or dates have been disclosed, the announcement marks the end of a three-year pause since the festival last lit up Toronto in 2022 with a star-studded Young Money reunion featuring Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj.
Drake’s reveal continues a pattern of surprise announcements tied to UK talent—his 2022 OVO Fest was also teased during a British rapper’s show, when he praised Dave during a Toronto performance. Though tensions within the hip hop community have been high, thanks in part to Drake’s ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar and other former collaborators like The Weeknd and Rick Ross, the 6 God still has a loyal lineup of OVO artists to pull from. Names like PartyNextDoor, Roy Woods, and Majid Jordan, all past performers at the festival, are expected to feature. With all previous OVO Fests taking place in August, fans are already bracing for what could be one of the most talked-about musical events of the summer.
3. Macron dismisses viral video showing apparent shove from wife Brigitte
France’s President Emmanuel Macron was hit in the face by his wife as they arrived in Vietnam.
pic.twitter.com/KahvlgoTN7— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 26, 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron has dismissed a viral video showing his wife, Brigitte Macron, appearing to shove his face as they disembarked from a plane in Vietnam, calling the moment a misinterpreted act of light-hearted teasing. Speaking to reporters in Hanoi on Monday, Macron acknowledged the authenticity of the footage but criticized the online reaction, which he described as “a sort of geo-planetary catastrophe.” The short clip shows Macron stepping out of the aircraft before Brigitte’s hands briefly push his face. Macron regains his composure and waves to the waiting press as the couple descends the steps—Brigitte declining his offered arm.
The Élysée Palace initially denied the incident but later downplayed its significance, with a source describing it as a private, playful exchange. “It was a moment of togetherness,” an official told reporters. Macron condemned the spread of conspiracy theories surrounding the clip, hinting at pro-Russian disinformation networks. French officials say these narratives are part of a broader campaign to undermine European unity on Ukraine and destabilize Western alliances.
4. Burna Boy becomes the most certified Nigerian artist in France
JUST IN 🚨
Burna Boy’s “City Boys” is now certified PLATINUM in France 🇫🇷.
— It’s his 9th song to achieve the milestone in the country, the most for a Nigerian act. 👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/q2t7jGTxXF
— The Debut Hub (@thedebuthub) May 26, 2025
Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has officially become the most certified Nigerian artist in France, following the platinum certification of his hit single “City Boy” by SNEP, the French music certification body. This latest milestone marks Burna Boy’s ninth SNEP-certified song, further solidifying his status as a global icon. “City Boy,” one of the standout tracks from his seventh studio album “I Told Them,” has seen widespread commercial success, particularly in France, where Burna Boy recently made history as the first African artist to sell out the 80,000-capacity Stade de France.
Burna Boy’s remarkable list of French certifications includes the diamond-certified “Last Last,” platinum records “Gbona,” “YE,” and “City Boy,” as well as gold certifications for “Alone,” “For My Hand” featuring Ed Sheeran, and “Anybody.” His 2019 collaboration with French star Dadju, “Donne-Moi L’accord,” also recently earned a platinum plaque, adding to his impressive 2025 accolades. Earlier this year, he secured an RIAA gold certification for “Alone, from the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack. With five singles already out from his upcoming eighth album “No Sign of Weakness,” Burna Boy is poised to extend his chart dominance and global reach even further in the coming months.
5. Tennis ‘Big Four’ reunite at Nadal’s French Open farewell
The big 4 at Rafa Nadal’s tribute at Roland Garros. pic.twitter.com/zcGivmu2ZE
— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) May 25, 2025
In a moment that stirred the emotions of tennis fans worldwide, Rafael Nadal was joined by Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray as the French Open paid tribute to its 14-time champion in a moving farewell ceremony at Court Philippe Chatrier. Once fierce rivals at the top of men’s tennis, the quartet—fondly known as the “Big Four”—reunited on Sunday to honour Nadal’s unmatched legacy on clay, marking a rare public appearance together since Nadal announced his retirement. Nadal, visibly emotional, reflected on their storied battles and shared respect: “We built amazing rivalries… but were good colleagues and respected one another.”
The send-off featured heartfelt embraces, roaring chants of “Rafa!” from a packed 15,000-seat stadium, and a surprise unveiling of Nadal’s silver footprint plaque beside the net post. Federer, Djokovic, and Murray—who flew in just for the day—each shared in the tribute, underscoring the deep bonds formed through years of competition. “It was perfect. I could not have expected a more emotional day,” Nadal said after the ceremony, where he also cradled his son Rafael Jr. and delivered a trilingual speech honouring his family, fans, and mentor Toni Nadal. As the terracotta-hued crowd applauded one of tennis’s greatest ever, the sport’s golden era stood united once more.
Featured Image: @ayrastarr/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 2025.
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