The Hypebae Best: Pop Culture Moments Of 2024
From Kendrick v. Drake to Cardi B’s divorce lookbook, these were the best moments.
If we could describe 2024 in one word, it’d be chaotic. As the year wraps, the public — yes, we’ve been watching way too much Love Island – has encountered many firsts (like the internet thirsting over Luigi Mangione). To start, Cardi B filed for divorce from fellow rapper Offset and announced her pregnancy in the same Instagram post, Bella Hadid went full cowgirl-core, Lana del Rey married “Alligator Man” and Drake sued… after losing rap beef.
Elsewhere, Moo Deng the pygmy hippopotamus united the internet while films like Challengers had the world thirsting for… threesomes. 2024 was the year of the unexpected, resulting in countless memes and chaotic moments that kept the girls connected.
Keep reading for the 2024 Hypebae Best.
Cardi B Revenge Dressing
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
In 2024, fans saw the day they never thought would come: Cardi B and Offset broke up. Not only that, she announced her divorce in the same post as her pregnancy announcement.
Lana del Rey Marrying Alligator Man
Ah, Lana del Rey finally married “Alligator Man,” aka partner Jeremy Dufrene who works at Arthur’s Airboat Tours in Louisiana. Surprisingly, that’s also where the couple wed.
Julia Fox Coming Out
@juliafox #stitch with @emgracedawg pt.2 ♬ original sound – Julia fox
Julia Fox coming out after a very public relationship with Kanye West was mind boggling to say the least. Coming out via TikTok? Very on brand for her.
Challengers Threesome
Challengers Movie
If you told us half of 2024 would be spent pining over an onscreen threesome… we wouldn’t have believed you. Alas, Zendaya and cast made the perfect “gay Halloween” costume.
Bella Hadid Hard Launching A Cowboy
At the top of 2024, Hadid confirmed her romance with cowboy Adan Banuelos. By the end of the year, the supermodel traded in the runway for cowgirl boots and tried her hand at a few competitions. ”If it wasn’t for horses, I’d have never met the love of my life,” Banuelos told W at the time.
“Looking For a Man In Finance…”
@malibubabie had to make your vision come true @Girl On Couch 💿🩷🔥 #remix #newaudio #musicproduction #trendingsound #electronicmusic ♬ lookingforamaninfinanceremix – Malibu Babie
“I’m looking for a man in finance trust fund six five blue eyes Finance plus one six five blue eyes Finance.” What started as a funny song, revealed what many girls on TikTok are pining for. Before we knew it, the trend became remix galore.
Kendrick Lamar v. Drake
Arturo Holmes/305pics/Getty Images
Although unexpected, Lamar’s hatred for the Toronto rapper was brewing for years. Clearly, Drake underestimated the Compton rapper’s disdain for him — and how badly he was going to annihilate him. So much so, Drake forgot the rules of rap beef and sued just about every company that could’ve had a hand in “Not Like Us” doing numbers. Oh, and he’s yet to sue Lamar himself.
Serena and Kordell Post-Casa Amor
For the first time, Love Island‘s spinoff, Love Island: USA dominated headlines. Between Serena, Kordell, Casa Amor drama and their onscreen besties, this season gave viewers a run for their money.
Kim Ye-ji, South Korean Professional Shooter Dominates 2024 Olympics
Charles Mcquillan/Getty Images
Even if you weren’t a fan of the Olympics, Ye-ji was on your radar. The South Korean professional shooter went viral on social media after the girls fell in love with her demeanor. In September of 2024, she debuted on her first (of many) fashion editorials and campaigns, was signed to an agency and landed her interest for acting roles.
Sweat Tour
@hypebae Charli XCX in the biggest apple of them all 🍏 Video: Hypebae #charlixcx #newyorkcity ♬ original sound – HYPEBAE
Do we even need to elaborate? Charli XCX’s Sweat tour was the inevitable next step following an iconic Brat Summer. Before we knew it, she teamed up with bestie Troye Sivan for her world tour and released several versions, answering the cries of fans.
Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and “Queer Media”
To this day, no one knows WTF this is about.
#WomenInMaleDominatedFields
@marla_fritz lol #womeninmalefields ♬ Anaconda – Nicki Minaj
Have you ever been ghosted after he told you “I love you?” Or have you been called “dramatic” over a completely logical concern? Welcome to #WomenInMaleDominatedFields, where women call men out on their sh-t.
Moo Deng
Matt Jelonek/Getty Images
Given the chaos that was 2024, it makes sense that folks found comfort in… interesting places. First up, Moo Deng, a diva — ahem, hippo — with a penchant for biting zoo keepers. Oh, and her name translates to “bouncy pork.” No notes.
“Demure”
View this post on Instagram
Arguably “demure,” a trend coined by beauty influencer Jools Lebron beat Brat summer’s impact. For weeks, all the world could do was quote “very mindful, very demure.” So much so, that Dictionary.com coined “demure” the “Word of the Year.”
Celebrity Lookalike Contests
From Jacob Elordi to Jeremy Allen White, NYC became the breeding ground for lookalike contests. After global remakes, the trend eventually died down and became a running joke: “Seeking (insert celebrity name) lookalike contest in my bedroom.”
In other news, it’s time to say goodbye to You.
