A Minecraft Movie’ strikes gold at the box office - $157M U.S. launch, $301M globally

African music is on the rise, and it’s paying off for Spotify, with a boost in revenue and more global attention on the genre. The growing success of African artists on streaming platforms has led to bigger payouts, showing just how influential the continent’s music is becoming. Jeronimo Gonzalez for Semafor breaks down how this trend is changing the music scene and opening doors for fresh talent.

The Minecraft movie just hit a major milestone, bringing in a massive $157M in the U.S. and $301M worldwide. Pamela McClintock of The Hollywood Reporter shares that this huge opening shows that gaming franchises are dominating the film scene. It’s clear – we’ll be seeing more game-to-movie hits soon!

YouTube Shorts' new view count updates are helping brands get a better sense of performance, but creators aren’t fully convinced it’s a game-changer for them. According to Alexander Lee and Antoinette Siu for Digiday, brands are happy with the changes, but creators are still waiting to see if it benefits them in the long run.

The White Lotus is still riding high, with its fanbase growing even after the show’s finale. HBO’s luxury drama is getting more viewers through word-of-mouth and social media hype, showing that people just can’t get enough. As reported by John Koblin for The New York Times, it’s clear that HBO has a huge hit on its hands.

Looks like OpenAI might be buying an AI hardware startup from Jony Ive and Sam Altman! The startup’s focus on hardware could work well with OpenAI’s software advances. Ivan Mehta over at TechCrunch broke the news, and if it happens, it could shake up the AI space in a big way.

The AI race is heating up, and China is quickly catching up to the US. With major investments and government backing, China is making big moves in AI, making the competition a lot tighter. Will Knight’s WIRED article dives into how this rivalry is reshaping tech and defense industries.

Coca-Cola and Home Depot are battling it out in the finals of Adweek's March Brandness tournament! Ashley R. Cummings, Adweek The classic Coke vibe met its match with TurboTax, while Home Depot flexed its strong cultural presence against Great Clips. It's a clash of nostalgia vs. practicality—who's taking home the crown?

It turns out, construction workers are into crypto more than finance pros, according to a new Harris Poll. The survey suggests that industries outside finance, like construction, are turning to digital currency—probably because of the big payout potential. Sam Becker from Fast Company dives into this surprising trend and what it might mean for crypto's future.

Luxury brands are shifting from exclusive designs to more accessible products as the U.S.-China trade war impacts global markets. Carol Ryan for The Wall Street Journal explores how brands are adjusting their strategies to cater to both U.S. and Chinese consumers. This shift is crucial for maintaining relevance in today’s economic climate.

Looks like Trump's tariffs are going to make your wardrobe a little more expensive. They’re pushing up the cost of imported goods, especially clothes, thanks to rising production prices. According to Fast Company, get ready to pay more at the checkout.