You could say that 2024 was a great year for music commercially. Everyone has their favorite artists, bands, and genres. I must say being an avid music listener for 24 hours per day is simply wonderful and therapeutic. Regardless, I must admit that 2024 was so unreal in a good way. Fans will always speculate that 2016 was the best year because of Drake. They say 2022 was the greatest year because of Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar. This decade was so unexpected for this music. I do find this year to be interesting for the most part. Here are some moments that I do believe accumulated the most trends.

Ye and Ty Dolla Sign’s collaboration album was the least interesting project this year. Ye’s questionable and controversial remarks have lost appeal from fans and critics alike. I still think that Ye is one of the most prominent figures in musical history and hip-hop culture. “Flashing Lights” remains one of the most impactful songs that I ever listened to since I was a kid. But in all seriousness, Ye is by far the worst artist of the year. Carnival is the worst song that I have heard and it doesn’t deserve the praise. Recently, it gathered a nomination for the Best Rap Song at the 67th Annual Grammys. Why are we appreciating a song that promotes anti-Semitic behavior? I still recall teens and kids reciting those lyrics on TikTok.

The country had the biggest impact this year. The country’s music dominance has been one of the biggest stories in the music industry. The genre dominated the Top 200 charts for the best-selling albums of the year. According to Ethan Millman from Rolling Stone, he says “Country still came in third to hip-hop and pop this year, with rap taking up 55 spots while pop took 41.” I appreciate country music as an influential genre. Zach Bryan’s The Great American Bar Scene is one of my favorite albums of the year. Although, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” was the highest streaming song of the year. In my defense, it doesn’t make sense that this was the least enjoyable of the year. Somehow, country listeners loved the tune but I didn’t appreciate it.

The beef between Drake and Kendrick kickstarted the diss war. For three months, this was the biggest act in hip-hop over the past 20 years. I support both artists and love what they have done for the generation. When Kendrick Lamar was declared the winner of the beef, there was a slight smirk on my face as I knew he ultimately won the battle. “Not Like Us” is still a top 10 contender of my favorite songs of the year. This track is one of the greatest diss records of all time.

Brat summer was peak hyper-pop music at its finest. The nostalgic factor plays a vast majority of the music. CharliXCX’s latest album Brat defined an unapologetically bold lifestyle with a hedonistic attitude. This would be the best album and my number-one album for the year. BRAT summer was the “wave” as most teens would say. The album draws influence from 2000 club music. The production is so bright, colorful, and aggressive. This is easily her most playful writing featured on this album. Brat is a hyperpop rollercoaster of bratty and brash with an It-girl & boy attitude.

Conclusively, do I think 2024 was a great year for music? There were a plethora of dull moments this year. I sincerely believe that this year made some historic moments. I wouldn’t compare this decade to others, because I think personality plays a vital role in music. This decade so far has a unique and bold taste for other listeners.  I hope to see what comes next for the new year.

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