Busta Rhymes to receive inaugural MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award, Burna Boy makes history with five consecutive years on the Billboard Hot 100, Ademola Lookman faces heavy sanctions from Atalanta over two-week strike. 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. Busta Rhymes to receive inaugural MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award

Busta Rhymes will received the first-ever MTV Rock the Bells Visionary Award at the VMAs on September 7th. pic.twitter.com/xZ1M9J5yc4

— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 18, 2025

Hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes is set to receive the first-ever MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. The 53-year-old rap icon will also hit the stage for a special performance celebrating his groundbreaking career. The newly created award, a collaboration between MTV and LL Cool J’s Rock the Bells brand, recognizes artists whose influence has shaped hip-hop culture across music, fashion, and film. The announcement follows Busta’s emotional appearance earlier this month at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, attended by LL Cool J and fellow rap luminaries.

The 2025 VMAs, airing live on Sunday, September 7, will be hosted by LL Cool J, who returns solo after co-hosting in 2022 and previously making history in 1997 as the first rapper to win the Video Vanguard Award. The ceremony will also feature performances by Alex Warren, J Balvin with DJ Snake, Sabrina Carpenter, sombr, and Latin icon honoree Ricky Martin. Lady Gaga leads the nominations with 12 nods, followed by Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar. Other top nominees include Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, and The Weeknd, promising a night that celebrates music’s biggest names and moments.

2. Burna Boy makes history with five consecutive years on the Billboard Hot 100

.@burnaboy becomes the first African artist to debut a song on the Hot 100 in five consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025). pic.twitter.com/LsDtdEeDEl

— chart data (@chartdata) August 18, 2025

Burna Boy has once again made history, becoming the first African artist to debut a song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five consecutive years, from 2021 through 2025. This remarkable milestone brings his total Hot 100 entries to seven, surpassing that of any other African artist in history, and further solidifies his status as a global music icon. Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential musical exports, Burna Boy’s consistent chart presence reflects both his longevity and the rising global demand for Afro-fusion music.

The achievement comes on the heels of his 2025 album release, No Sign of Weakness, a critically acclaimed project featuring standout tracks like “Bundle By Bundle” and “Love.” His genre-blending sound continues to captivate audiences worldwide, combining Afrobeat roots with emotional lyricism and cutting-edge production. From his breakout moment with “Ye” in 2018 to global anthems like “Last Last,” Burna Boy has proven his ability to evolve while staying true to his artistic identity. His latest collaboration with Gunna on “wgft,” which extended his record on the chart, has further expanded his influence, drawing crossover attention from both hip-hop and Afrobeats fans. With each new release, Burna Boy pushes boundaries and redefines what it means to be an international artist from Africa.

3. Gladys Knight denies son’s elder abuse claims

🚨 Gladys Knight releases a statement debunking claims that she shouldn’t be on stage due to her mental health, and denies allegations of financial abuse by her current husband. Tap into the latest w/ @lorenlorosa 🗞️ pic.twitter.com/0joC2U8yY7

— The Breakfast Club (@breakfastclubam) August 19, 2025

Legendary soul singer Gladys Knight has spoken out following troubling allegations from her son, Shanga Henderson, who claimed she is a victim of elder abuse by her husband, William McDowell. In a statement, the 81-year-old music icon assured fans and the public that she is in good health and high spirits. “I’m sorry that my health and performances have been misrepresented,” Knight said. “I want my fans and those concerned to rest assured I am doing very well for someone who has been on stage for three quarters of a century—hard to believe, right?”

Henderson, along with his ex-wife Gloria, recently raised concerns about Knight’s cognitive condition, alleging she has shown signs of decline since 2021. He claimed to have filed a formal elder abuse complaint with North Carolina authorities and cited moments where Knight appeared disoriented or forgot lyrics on stage. Knight, however, firmly denied these claims, saying she’s been enjoying time with friends and family and is looking forward to rejoining the road for the second leg of The Queens! 4 Legends. 1 Stage tour alongside Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and Stephanie Mills. “I’m excited to get back on the road with my sisters… See you soon,” she said. Henderson maintains his concerns are not financially motivated, insisting his only goal is to protect his mother’s well-being.

4. Louis Vuitton unveils makeup line, La Beauté, spearheaded by MUA Pat McGrath

A journey beyond. A creative collaboration commences with Creative Director @patmcgrathreal with La Beauté Louis Vuitton — an invitation to boldly celebrate individuality. Subscribe for the launch on August 25th at https://t.co/L133vjj2Mg#PatMcGrath #LVBeauty #LouisVuitton pic.twitter.com/pD7odnMIV8

— Louis Vuitton (@LouisVuitton) August 19, 2025

Louis Vuitton has officially entered the luxury beauty arena with the launch of La Beauté, its first-ever makeup line created in collaboration with legendary makeup artist Dame Pat McGrath. After two decades of crafting iconic looks for the fashion house’s runway shows, McGrath has now taken the reins as Creative Director, Cosmetics, delivering a visionary debut collection that reflects both her artistry and Louis Vuitton’s refined aesthetic. The collection, launching this month, marks a significant expansion of the fashion giant’s focus on beauty.

At the heart of La Beauté are eight LV Ombres eyeshadow compacts, ten sheer LV Baume lip balms, and the LV Rouge lipstick, available in 55 shades, all housed in refillable, design-forward packaging. McGrath describes the line as “a new level in luxury beauty,” emphasizing her obsession with detail, texture, and emotional connection to product. Enhancing the sensory experience, Louis Vuitton’s Master Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud created bespoke fragrances for the lip products—LV Rouge infused with mimosa, jasmine, and rose, and LV Baume delicately scented with mint and raspberry. After four years in development, La Beauté debuts on 20 August in select stores in China, with global pre-orders opening 25 August and broader availability on 29 August, including a celebratory pop-up in New York.

5. Ademola Lookman faces heavy sanctions from Atalanta over two-week strike

🚨🔙 Ademola Lookman is back in Bergamo.

With the Inter option now off, Atalanta are open to reintegrating him, while also considering internal sanctions.

Foreign bids would still be welcomed, but unless they meet the price tag, he’ll be at Juric’s disposal, as @APaglia7 said. pic.twitter.com/ND58OKJxB8

— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) August 19, 2025

Ademola Lookman is set to face disciplinary action from Atalanta following a two-week training strike aimed at forcing a transfer to Inter Milan. According to Calciomercato, the Nigerian international will return to the club’s Zingonia training center to meet with CEO Antonio Percassi and the Atalanta hierarchy, where he is expected to apologise for his actions. Lookman had hoped to engineer a move to Inter, with personal terms already agreed, but Atalanta’s refusal to sell to a domestic rival led to his protest, including deleting club-related content from his social media.

Despite rejecting Inter’s €45 million bid, Atalanta may opt for a measured response. New manager Ivan Juric considers Lookman a vital component of the squad, especially after the departure of last season’s top scorer, Mateo Retegui. Juric reportedly warned that losing Lookman would cost the team “90% of their goals.” While the club is likely to impose sanctions, they are also mindful of maintaining Lookman’s form and fitness ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. As tensions cool, a reintegration into the squad remains on the table, as both sides aim to navigate a delicate situation with the new season looming.

Featured image: @bustarhymes/Instagram

Our Weekday News Digest brings you a curated selection of the most compelling stories from around the globe. This week, we delve into the latest celebrity headlines, from Hollywood to Nollywood, explore trending global news, and highlight the most exciting sports developments of 2025.

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