At the top of the year, singer and actress Halle Bailey melted hearts everywhere when she introduced the world to her baby boy, Halo. This is Disney’s The Little Mermaid star’s first child, whom she shares with her now ex-boyfriend and YouTuber, DDG.

On January 9, Hollywood icon Angela Bassett finally got her flowers with an honorary Oscar, recognizing her decades-long impact on film and television. Her moving acceptance speech was a love letter to perseverance and Black excellence.

Usher set the stage ablaze with his electrifying 2024 Super Bowl Halftime performance, delivering a masterclass in showmanship, precision, and pure R&B magic. The setlist celebrated his iconic career, featuring timeless bangers like “Yeah!,” “U Got It Bad,” and “Caught Up.” Surprise guest appearances from past collaborators, including Lil Jon and Alicia Keys, who joined Usher for a rendition of their hit “My Boo,” made the night unforgettable.

If you had an average work shift to spare, TikTok content creator Reesa Teesa had a wild story for you. Her 8-hour, 52-part saga chronicled her marriage to a “pathological liar” and “narcissist” she only referred to as Legion. The jaw-dropping tale made Teesa a hot topic from February to March and even earned her a television deal.

Zendaya, along with her longtime stylist and friend, fashion architect Law Roach, served several standout red-carpet looks during the Dune: Part Two press tour. The most memorable? A viral vintage Mugler chrome bodysuit with striking cutouts that had social media in a frenzy.

RELATED: Must-See Movies and TV Shows To Watch This Fall

Singer-songwriter Victoria Monét had one of the hottest years of her career, starting with an explosive evening at the 66th Grammy Awards. She earned seven nominations and walked away with wins for Best New Artist, Best R&B Album, and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.

Dripping in avant-garde brilliance, Zendaya, Tyla, and Cardi B were among over a dozen stars who became the night's undisputed showstoppers at the 2024 MET Gala. This year’s theme, “The Garden of Time,” drew inspiration from J.G. Ballard's 1962 short story of the same name.

Denzel Washington's return to the “Gladiator” franchise had social media in a frenzy, with fans flooding timelines with gifs and gasps. The Academy Award winner's commanding presence in the trailer for the since-released Gladiator II film alone sparked digital chaos, reminding everyone why he's one of Hollywood's most electrifying icons.

After being denied the opportunity to run in Tokyo in 2021, Sha’Carri Richardson secured her first-ever Olympic medal, winning silver in the Women’s 100m. Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia claimed the gold, while Melissa Jefferson took home the bronze

Simone Biles once again proved she’s in a league of her own. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, she flipped her way into history, earning eight medals, including five golds, and becoming the most decorated gymnast of all time. With gravity-defying routines and unshakable precision, Biles didn’t just raise the bar — she became it.

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter H.E.R. hit all the right notes during the Paris 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony. From soulful melodies to electric guitar riffs, she lit up the stage with a golden rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner," matching the victorious energy of Team USA.

This year, the Bad Boys franchise made a triumphant return with Bad Boys: Ride or Die, bringing fans back into the action-packed world of Miami's most iconic duo. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence reprised their legendary roles as detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, delivering their signature blend of high-octane action and witty banter.

The “BET Awards”  2024 was the most-watched Black event in the United States, with over 3 million viewers. The legendary network was also the top cable award show of the year and the most social program on TV.

The “BET Hip Hop Awards” 2024 crowned rapper Travis Scott with the prestigious 'I Am Hip Hop' honor, cementing his legacy as a cultural force in music, fashion, and beyond. His acceptance speech was a heartfelt ode to creative freedom and perseverance.

On September 15, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson made history as the first player in WNBA history to score 1,000 points in a single season. The moment came during the Aces’ 84-71 win over the Connecticut Sun, with Wilson dropping 29 points that night.

In the closing days of her historic presidential campaign run, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live. Joining comedian Maya Rudolph — known for portraying her on the show — Harris' signature laugh and charm left the internet buzzing.

On October 15, 2024, supermodel Tyra Banks made a triumphant return to close out the revamped Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Her signature strut and famous "smize" marked 19 years since she last walked the runway. Banks famously made history in 1997 as the first Black model to sign a contract with Victoria's Secret and appear on its cover.

Cardi B and Offset are officially parents of three! The now-former couple recently welcomed their third child together, a baby girl, adding another bundle of joy to their growing family. Cardi shared the news with her fans, expressing how overjoyed she was to expand her tribe.

After a six-year hiatus, Sade made a poignant comeback with the music video for “Young Lion,” a touching tribute to her transgender son. The video’s striking visuals and emotional storytelling left fans in awe.

The beloved former child star Skai Jackson revealed her pregnancy on November 12, sharing a heartfelt message about embracing new chapters in life in an exclusive interview with People alongside her mother, Kiya Cole. 

The internet crowned West Coast legend Kendrick Lamar the winner of his highly publicized feud with Drake — arguably one of hip hop’s most talked-about rap beefs. The clash, allegedly sparked by Drake’s “First Person Shooter,” featured bombshell accusations and at least six diss tracks, including Kendrick's 5-time Grammy-nominated “Not Like Us.”

Fans thought the Kendrick vs. Drake feud had peaked, but on November 22, Kendrick Lamar delivered a plot twist. He teased a snippet on social media, then dropped a surprise 12-track project, GNX. 

Featuring West Coast acts like Hitta Jr and AZCHIKE, plus collaborations with SZA and Roddy Ricch, the project scored a number-one hit with “Squabble Up.” A week later, Kendrick announced the “Grand National Tour” with SZA as a special guest.

After suffering a near-fatal stroke in April 2023, Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx made his comedy stage return in “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was” on Netflix. He revealed that a brain bleed had sidelined him for 20 days, and before he could grab an aspirin for a headache, “I went out.” The special was a raw, hilarious, and heartfelt look into Foxx's recovery journey and even addressed wild internet rumors, like claims he’d been cloned.

Katt Williams set the internet ablaze with his unfiltered appearance on Club Shay Shay, delivering jaw-dropping revelations that had fans hitting replay. From calling out industry secrets to serving up comedy gold with every punchline, it was a masterclass in controlled chaos only Katt could command. The video has been viewed on YouTube over 85 million times.