By: Kalyssa Chu, Staff Writer
As we leave 2024 in the past, one thing remains certain: the year was nothing short of unforgettable. From viral sensations to history-making achievements, here’s a look back at the pop culture highlights of 2024.
Brain Rot
The University of Oxford named “brain rot” the 2024 Oxford Word of the Year. Brain rot, referencing the supposed deterioration of one’s intellectual state due to the overconsumption of superficial online material, gained excessive prominence in 2024 as short-form media has risen in popularity. Brain rot is often associated with certain types of internet content on platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels, including the viral “skibidi toilet” and “TikTok Rizz Party.” This rise in online content has fueled the growth of internet culture, where consumers have also grown particularly interested in rising creators such as TikToker and model Nara Smith, streamer Kai Cenat and father-son duo A.J. & Big Justice—otherwise known as the “Costco Guys.”
Summer Olympics
One of the most defining memories of 2024 was the Summer Olympics hosted in Paris, France. As viewers witnessed the athletic excellence of Simone Biles during her Olympic comeback, gold-winning French swimmer Léon Marchand and Team USA gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, the 16-day saga led to some of the most iconic moments of 2024—including the confused global reaction to the performance of Australian breakdancer “Raygun” and memes over Turkish air pistol shooter Yusuf Dikec.
Music
2024 was also the year of the female pop star. Artists Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX were some of the many musicians who took the year by storm with studio albums The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, Short ‘n Sweet and Brat, respectively. Also, we can’t talk about music in 2024 without mentioning the biggest rap beef of the year between hip-hop artists Drake and Kendrick Lamar. The boil-over of the Drake-Kendrick beef in early May led to an unforgettable feud through tracks such as Family Matters by Drake and Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar. Music was also a main attribute of the big screen, with 2024 leaving us with popular musical films like Wicked and the musical adaptation of Mean Girls.
Presidential Election
Finally, with the election of the 47th President of the United States, 2024 marked a major year for American politics. From the attempted assassination of Republican candidate and former president Donald Trump, the abandonment of President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign, and the subsequent nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic contender, the 2024 presidential election was one for the books. Following this series of events, the campaign trail evolved beyond anything America has seen before, with candidates employing particular campaign techniques on online social platforms—such as playing into various TikTok memes or staging appearances on popular podcasts like The Joe Rogan Experience or Call Her Daddy. This rise in online campaigning has summoned heavy discussion over artificial intelligence and its role in election coverage. Candidate Donald Trump finished by winning office in this historic election.
