If The Root could sum up 2024 in just two words, they would be “plot twist!” This year kept us all on our toes, and after all of the political mess and unexpected pop culture twists, it might be too much to keep up with.
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But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a list recapping the biggest moments of the year. From lawsuits and divorces to Olympic medal controversies and unbelievable losses, it’s hard to believe all of these things happened in only one year. So, take a look at the biggest plot twists of 2024 that made everyone double take.
Drake Sues UMG
Hip-Hop lovers were shocked when the Canadian rapper took his rap beef against Kendrick Lamar to the courts. The years-long feud between the two rappers ended in a clear victory for Lamar, but Drake just couldn’t take it. The “God’s Plan” pop star filed multiple petitions against his own label, Universal Music Group (UMG), suggesting UMG conspired against him to help Lamar win the rap beef and inflated his diss track-turned-song of the summer “Not Like Us.” Now, Drake will always be seen as the “hip-hop Karen.”
Judge Mathis Gets His Wife Back
After being married for 40 years, TV judge Judge Greg Mathis and his wife, Linda Reese, shook everyone when it was revealed they were headed for a divorce earlier this summer. But to everyone’s surprise, Mathis was able to spin the block and get his wife back! The couple were spotted in public together back in November and when asked about the status of their relationship, they confirmed they were doing much better.
Megan Thee Stallion Files a Restraining Order
The drama between Tory Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion hasn’t let up since the 2020 shooting when Megan was shot in the foot. Four years, a guilty verdict, and a whole documentary later, the drama surrounding the two artists took yet another turn when Meg filed for a restraining order against him. According to her, even from a prison cell, Lanez is still harassing her.
Joe Biden Drops Out of the Presidential Race
If you were looking for a moment that had the entire world biting their nails, this was it. The presidential race was looking grim for President Joe Biden after a terrible debate and an assassination attempt against his opponent, former President Donald Trump. So, he did what he needed to do, and after months of refusing to drop out the race, Biden announced in July he would instead endorse his VP, Kamala Harris, for the presidency.
Luigi Magione Gets Caught
When surveillance footage of a shooter gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in broad daylight hit the internet, many were convinced the assassin could get away with the calculated murder…. But turns out, Luigi Magione, the suspected shooter, was taken down by authorities with ease. Now, he awaits trial in New York City for terrorism and murder.
Diddy Gets Arrested
We all knew it was only a matter of time before Sean “Diddy” Combs’ chickens came home to roost after Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit, but could anyone have expected the disgraced mogul to go out like this?? In September, Diddy was apprehended by the feds one day before he was reportedly set to turn himself in. And ever since then, the Bed Boy CEO has been siting in a jail cell. Fun fact: Diddy and Magione are reportedly in the same prison facility.
Jay-Z Being Implicated in Diddy’s Mess
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter prides himself on staying out of the mess and making his millions, but everything came to a head when Hov was sued alongside his former collaborator, Diddy, for sexual assault. The civil lawsuit alleges Jay-Z and Diddy raped a 13-year-old girl back in 2000 — claims that Hov denies. Since these allegations came out, he and the accuser’s attorney, Texas’ Tony Buzbee, have been going back and forth in the courts and online over the matter.
Beyoncé Gets Snubbed
Queen Bey’s “Cowboy Carter” had everyone on the dance floor this summer. Her smash hit “Texas Hold ‘Em” took over the radio and broke even more records for the pop icon. Bey made history as the first Black woman to top the country music charts and have a number one song. But, when it got time for the Country Music Awards to acknowledge the obvious success of Bey’s country album — surprise, surprise— she was snubbed!
Jordan Chiles’ Olympic Medal Debacle
The Paris Olympics caused quite the uproar when gymnast Jordan Chiles was awarded a bronze medal. Shortly after she won bronze in the floor exercise, another country complained about her score, resulting in judges re-evaluating the timing of Chiles and Team USA’s appeal. She was eventually stripped of her bronze, with fans crying foul and criticizing gymnastics’ governing body.
Trump Wins a Second Term
After being kicked out of office four years ago, Trump reclaimed his seat as the head of the nation. This election season was a doozy, filled with assassination attempts, drop outs, and a historic level of misinformation. But in the end, Trump claimed victory. He swept in, painting the map red and grabbing key states. And although we all thought the race might be too close to call on night one, Trump and his MAGA movement were able to quickly secure the lead to walk away with 312 electoral votes.
Chance the Rapper and His Wife Get a Divorce
When a rapper makes a whole album dedicated to his wife, the last thing you’d expect is that a few short years later, they’d be announcing their separation. Earlier this month, Chance the Rapper and his wife, former model Kirsten Corley, filed for divorce after five years together. According to TMZ, Corley filed the paperwork, but the couple has not revealed the reasons which led to them parting ways.
Lil Durk Arrested
Chicago rapper Lil Durk, real name Durk Devontay Banks, is facing serious charges for the murder-for-hire plot against Georgia rapper Quando Rondo. Since his arrest broke the internet in October, Durk has been connected to a totally separate incident. Official charges for the second murder-for-hire plot haven’t been formally brought against the rapper yet, but law enforcement says the investigation into these matters remains open, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Cardi B Files for Divorce From Offset… Again
In August, Cardi B filed for divorce from her rapper husband, Offset, and is seeking primary custody of their children, daughter Kulture, 5, son Wave, 2, and their newborn girl. This marks the second time Cardi filed, with the first happening back in 2020. The news of this divorce shocked many as it was followed up by a pregnancy announcement less than 24 hours later with the “Bodak Yellow” rapper revealing she was expecting her third child, a baby girl who was born in September 2024.
Young Thug Goes Home
After spending years in jail facing a RICO charge, Hip-Hop fans celebrated when YSL CEO Young Thug took a plea which brought him home just in time for the holiday season. Remember, Thug and over 25 other defendants were facing serious time in prison, and many people didn’t think Thug would ever see the outside of a prison cell again. Jokes are on everyone now!
Mike Tyson Loses to Jake Paul
When YouTuber Jake Paul announced he’d be fighting legendary boxer Mike Tyson, we all thought the matchup was unfair…. for Paul. But when the Friday night fight went down, fans of Tyson were caught off guard when Paul was declared the winner. Black folks everywhere were trying to figure out what went wrong, and after all the L’s we took this year, Tyson’s loss hit a little too close for comfort.
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