Rave News Digest: Silvia Venturini Fendi Steps Down As Fendi Creative Director, Spotify Announces Top Afrobeats Artists Of 2025, William Saliba + More

Silvia Venturini Fendi has announced her departure as Fendi’s creative director, Spotify unveils its list of the top Afrobeats artists and songs for 2025, and Arsenal has confirmed a new five-year contract for William Saliba. Stay up-to-date with our Rave News Digest, your go-to source for the hottest global news stories, crafted to save you time and energy. Think of it as your essential daily news fix.

Catch up with these five trending news topics…

1. Silvia Venturini Fendi exits role as Fendi creative director

Silvia Venturini Fendi steps down as
Fendi’s Creative Director pic.twitter.com/JzB8xBJCam

— Maximilian Kilworth (@MaxKilworth) September 29, 2025

In a surprising move for the fashion industry, Silvia Venturini Fendi will officially step down from her role as Fendi’s creative director effective October 1. This announcement comes shortly after the brand’s Spring/Summer 2026 show held in Milan, marking a pivotal point in Italian fashion history. Fendi, a brand she has significantly influenced for decades, will now see her assume the position of honorary president, focusing on preserving its heritage and championing the craftsmanship that has defined the brand for over a century.

A member of the Fendi family for three generations, her journey encompasses influential collaborations with Karl Lagerfeld in the 1990s and the iconic Fendi Baguette launch in 1997. Most recently, she led the women’s collections following Kim Jones’s exit in 2024. Silvia’s departure comes amidst a celebratory centennial year for the brand, laden with retrospectives and high-profile performances. As she reflected on her journey, Fendi expressed gratitude for her family, collaborators, and the late Lagerfeld. Speculation about her successor is rampant, with a keen interest in whether a woman will again lead the brand into its next chapter.

2. Spotify highlights top Afrobeats artists and songs for 2025

Afrobeats continues to expand its reach, with fans streaming artists like Rema, Wizkid, and Burna Boy from Nigeria to Brazil. Check out some of the top songs, artists, and countries fueling the genre’s discovery and growth globally ✨ pic.twitter.com/ZWvVUTIIVT

— Spotify News (@SpotifyNews) September 29, 2025

Spotify has officially announced its ranking of the leading Afrobeats artists and songs for 2025, highlighting the genre’s remarkable global rise. Nigerian icon Burna Boy takes the lead as the top artist, following a year filled with chart-topping tracks, worldwide tours, and notable collaborations. In second place is Rema, whose innovative sound continues to win over international fans, while Wizkid ranks third, affirming his significant impact on contemporary African music. Rounding out the top five are Asake and Ayra Starr, the latter being the sole female artist in this elite group.

In song rankings, Ayra Starr notably holds the top spot with her collaboration “Santa,” featuring Rauw Alejandro and Rvssian, reflecting Afrobeats’ growing integration with Latin and mainstream pop cultures. Following her is Ghanaian breakout MOLIY with the viral success “Shake It To The Max (FLY).” Rema’s collaboration with Selena Gomez on the remix of “Calm Down” maintains a strong position at third. The cross-cultural collaboration “We Pray” by Coldplay alongside Burna Boy comes in at fourth, with Labianca’s heartfelt piece “People” completing the top five. Spotify’s rankings indicate not only dominance in streaming but the expanding global appeal of Afrobeats across various markets.

3. Tyler James Williams shares his battle with Crohn’s disease

Tyler James Williams is opening up about a decade of living with Crohn’s disease.

The Abbott Elementary star went from hiding the pain to becoming an advocate for gut + mental health in Black communities.

✍🏾 Read about his journey #OnTheGriohttps://t.co/a37HHyT57s

— theGrio.com (@theGrio) September 30, 2025

Actor Tyler James Williams, known for his role in Abbott Elementary, has opened up about his decade-long struggle with Crohn’s disease. In a heartfelt interview with People, the 32-year-old actor discussed how the chronic disorder, an inflammatory bowel disease affecting hundreds of thousands in the United States, led to a series of serious health challenges, including three surgeries within three months. Despite being diagnosed in 2015 shortly before his 23rd birthday, Williams reflects that symptoms began manifesting as early as age 19, which he dismissed despite experiencing significant pain. “I thought I could just work through it,” he admitted, leading to a dire health crisis.

By 2016, his health deteriorated to the extent that he required frequent hospital visits and significant surgical interventions. At one point, he faced a complete inability to eat or drink for weeks and had to utilize an ostomy bag for six weeks, a profoundly challenging time both physically and psychologically. Today, Williams is in remission and thriving, attributing his recovery to a disciplined regimen of medication, nutrition, physical activity, and constant communication with his healthcare professionals. Tyler is now committed to raising awareness about Crohn’s and related inflammatory bowel diseases, hoping that sharing his experiences will encourage others facing similar challenges to know they are not alone and that improvement is possible.

4. Tyla seemingly declines Tiwa Savage’s apology regarding her “colored” comment

Looks like Tyla seemingly responded to Tiwa Savage’s apology on her behalf during her Global Citizen Festival performance

“Sorry, I’m not sorry” 👀 pic.twitter.com/JzLXas9pBU

— NOTJUSTOK (@NOTJUSTOK) September 29, 2025

<p<Grammy-winning South African artist Tyla has made her stance clear after distancing herself from an unsolicited apology issued by Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage. This controversy arose after Tyla described herself as “colored” in a recent interview in the U.S., a term that is understood within a specific cultural context in South Africa but often viewed as dated or offensive in American discourse.

In an attempt to mitigate the backlash, Tiwa Savage offered an apology during her appearance on The Breakfast Club, stating, “If that was not communicated well… on behalf of her, we apologize,” adding that as an “elder,” she felt compelled to address such moments. However, her attempt to clarify the situation faced criticism from many South Africans who felt she overstepped by speaking for Tyla without fully appreciating the nuance of the term in its local context. Tyla’s response at the Global Citizen Festival in New York—declaring, “Sorry, I’m not sorry”—was perceived as a direct rebuttal to Savage’s apology and a strong affirmation of her identity. The clip quickly went viral, garnering applause from fans who admired her for standing firm in her beliefs.

5. Arsenal officially announces a new five-year deal for William Saliba

One of us.

We’re delighted to announce that William Saliba has signed a new contract with The Arsenal 🙌 pic.twitter.com/82i5CkiF5I

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 30, 2025

Arsenal Football Club has confirmed that French defender William Saliba has put pen to paper on a new deal, extending his stay at the Emirates Stadium until 2030 and effectively quashing speculation about his future. At 24 years old, Saliba’s previous contract was set to expire in 2027, but after intense discussions and interest from clubs like Real Madrid, he has reaffirmed his allegiance to the Gunners. Since his arrival from Saint-Étienne in 2019, followed by pivotal loan spells in France, Saliba has emerged as a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defense under Mikel Arteta, accumulating 140 first-team appearances and gaining 28 caps for the French national team.

Expressing pride in his journey, Saliba remarked, “I feel at home… the coach is perfect for me.” Head coach Arteta commended Saliba for his leadership qualities and integral role in the club’s future, while sporting director Andrea Berta referred to him as one of “the best defenders in the world.” This renewal comes at a decisive moment for Arsenal as they strive for silverware after three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League. Saliba joins fellow teammates Gabriel, Leandro Trossard, and Myles Lewis-Skelly in committing to the club, as Arsenal aims to reshape its squad in pursuit of a long-awaited trophy.

Featured image: Fendi

Our Weekday News Digest presents a curated selection of the most compelling stories from around the globe. This week, we explore evolving celebrity headlines across Hollywood and Nollywood, trending global news stories, and the exciting developments in the sports arena for 2025.

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