Cardi B brings big energy to Saudi Arabia’s Soundstorm Festival 2025, Don Jazzy reveals multi-million dollar investment behind Rema’s global hit “Calm Down,” WWE star John Cena retires from wrestling after submission loss. 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. Cardi B brings big energy to Saudi Arabia’s Soundstorm Festival 2025

Cardi B performing “Hello” at the Soundstorm Festival in Saudi Arabia tonight. 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/gxgcuZENn8

— Fan Account | #BLM 🫵🏾 (@BardiUpdatess) December 14, 2025

Cardi B brought undeniable star power to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the night of Sunday, December 14, delivering a profanity-light yet high-octane performance at Soundstorm Festival 2025 that felt tailor-made for the global stage. After weeks of teasing the appearance on social media, the Bronx rapper turned the MDLBEAST-created festival into a late-night block party during twilight, cementing her status as one of the event’s most anticipated headliners. Backed by a troupe of dancers and dressed in a brightly colored ensemble, Cardi ripped through a hit-filled set that blended fan favorites with newer standouts from her chart-topping sophomore album, AM I THE DRAMA? Tracks like “Press,” “Pretty & Petty,” “Bartier Cardi,” “No Limit (Remix),” “Safe,” and “I Like It” kept the massive crowd moving, with Cardi even stepping offstage at one point to interact with fans near the barricades.

Beyond the music, Cardi made a clear effort to connect with the local audience, weaving cultural nods into both her banter and the show’s visuals. She greeted the crowd with “As-salamu alaykum!” and thanked Saudi fans for welcoming her, calling the experience “mashallah.” At the same time, digital backdrops flashed Arabian-inspired imagery referencing the region’s silk and hand-loom traditions. Her performance capped a star-studded Soundstorm 2025 lineup that featured hip-hop and R&B heavyweights, including Young Thug, Miguel, Black Coffee, Davido, Metro Boomin, and Don Toliver across multiple stages. According to MDLBEAST Chief Creative Officer Baloo, the festival drew approximately 30,000 attendees on its final night alone, underscoring Soundstorm’s growing reputation as a major destination for global music’s biggest names.

2. Don Jazzy reveals multi-million dollar investment behind Rema’s global hit “Calm Down”

Mavin Records founder Don Jazzy has revealed the massive financial backing behind Rema’s global smash hit “Calm Down,” offering a rare look into what it takes to break Afrobeats on the world stage. Speaking on Toolz’s Bounce series, the veteran music executive disclosed that the label invested between $4 million and $5 million to propel the song to international dominance. According to Don Jazzy, the spending went far beyond the studio, covering an aggressive and ongoing cycle of promotion, marketing, and market expansion. “A song like Calm Down, we probably spent close to $4–5 million to get it to where it is,” he said, describing Mavin’s strategy as a “conquer and move” approach, locking down one territory before reinvesting to break into the next.

The high-stakes investment has delivered historic returns. Released in 2022 and later amplified by a remix featuring Selena Gomez, “Calm Down” became the first African song to surpass one billion streams on Spotify and has gone on to rank among the longest-charting African records in Billboard Hot 100 history. The track’s global success cemented Rema’s status as one of Afrobeats’ most influential international stars while underscoring the scale of resources now being deployed behind African music. Don Jazzy’s revelation highlights a growing reality in the industry: global success is driven not only by talent and cultural impact, but by strategic, multi-million-dollar campaigns that rival those of major Western pop acts.

3. Two people dead and nine wounded in a mass shooting at Brown University

BREAKING: At least two people have been killed and several others injured in a shooting at Brown University, AP source says. https://t.co/Cf5lyuzV3s

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 13, 2025

At least two people were killed and nine others critically wounded in a mass shooting Saturday afternoon at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, triggering a campus-wide lockdown and a large-scale manhunt that stretched late into the night. The shooting occurred near the Barus and Holley building on Hope Street, which houses the university’s engineering and physics departments and was open due to ongoing final exams. Police said the suspect, described as a man dressed in black and possibly wearing a camouflage mask, fled the scene and remained at large hours after the first shelter-in-place orders were issued. Surveillance footage of a person believed to be the shooter was released as officers searched academic buildings, nearby yards, and porches across College Hill and surrounding neighborhoods.

University President Christina Paxson confirmed that all 10 people shot were students, including the two who were killed, while authorities said another individual was injured by fragments from the gunfire. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley noted that the building’s unlocked doors meant “anybody could have accessed the building at that time,” calling the incident devastating as the city approaches the Christmas holiday. Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee described the shooting as “the unthinkable,” while federal agencies, including the FBI and ATF, joined local and state police in the investigation. As frightened students sheltered in labs and dorms for hours, officials vowed to provide answers and support for affected families, even as crowded holiday streets and events complicated the ongoing search for the suspect.

4. Love Island USA’s Chelley Bissainthe confirms split from Ace Greene

Love Island USA’s Chelley Bissainthe and Ace Green have broken up. pic.twitter.com/yAulhReHjJ

— Pop Base (@PopBase) December 12, 2025

Love Island USA star Chelley Bissainthe has confirmed that she and fellow cast member Ace Greene have gone their separate ways. Bissainthe, 28, revealed the split during an interview with SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio, previewed on Friday, December 12, telling hosts Danny Murphy and Evan Real that the pair “decided to part ways.” Calling the breakup a difficult but mutual decision, she explained, “When you love someone, sometimes loving someone means letting go.” Bissainthe added that despite their efforts to make the relationship work, they ultimately agreed that separating was the best path forward.

The former couple became fan favorites after sparking a romance on Season 7 of Love Island USA, which aired from June through August, making their relationship official on the show before exiting the villa on day 30. In the interview, Bissainthe emphasized the mutual respect between them and said the decision was reached after many conversations, with consideration for their supporters. She declined to share specific details about the breakup, stressing that they are on the same page and at peace with the outcome. “At the end of the day, I wish Ace the best,” she said, noting her focus is now on healing, growth, and moving forward. Bissainthe’s full interview will air on Page Six Radio on Monday, December 15.

5. WWE star John Cena retires from wrestling after submission loss

John Cena’s final words as he retires from the WWE

“It’s been a pleasure serving you all these years, thank you.” pic.twitter.com/5BIjPyD9xo

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 14, 2025

WWE legend John Cena officially retired from professional wrestling on Saturday night, closing a 24-year career with a rare and emotional submission loss at Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. In his final match, Cena tapped out to former two-time world champion Gunther after nearly 25 grueling minutes, marking the first time he had submitted in more than two decades. The decisive tap-out stunned the crowd, many of whom had hoped to see the 17-time world champion end his career with a victory, but instead witnessed Cena choosing to go out on his own terms in a moment that underscored the finality of his farewell.

Cena’s retirement caps one of the most decorated runs in WWE history. After signing with the company in 2001 and debuting on SmackDown in 2002, he rose from early struggles to global superstardom, becoming a six-time WrestleMania main-eventer and the most recognized world champion in WWE history. Following a yearlong retirement tour that included a brief heel turn, a record-setting title win at WrestleMania, and one final championship run, Cena was honored in the ring by fellow superstars and executives after his last bout. Eschewing a speech, he left his wristbands and boots in the ring before offering a final salute to fans, bringing an iconic era in sports entertainment to a close.

Featured image: @iamcardib/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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