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In the world of Black entertainment, where the day-to-day often feels like a Tyler Perry movie, 2024 kicked off with a whirlwind of unexpected gossip. While there’s far too much news to cover it all, here are some highlights that still have us scratching our heads and clutching our pearls.
1. Katt Williams and Shannon Sharpe’s Interview
In the viral January 12 interview with Shannon Sharpe, dubbed the "Year Where All Secrets Will Be Revealed," Katt Williams dropped bombshells that lit up the internet. He accused Steve Harvey of wearing a “wig” (still unconfirmed), warned, "You had to tell Diddy no because he likes to party," threw shade at Faizon Love, and branded Kevin Hart an industry plant. With so many names dropped, both comedians and fans were left wondering how—or if—they should respond.
While there were rebuttals, none matched the entertainment value of Katt’s tirade, which has since garnered over 6.5 million views.
(Sharpe managed to stay in the headlines, but nothing compared to his accidental Instagram Live on February 8. Mid-passion, he unknowingly broadcasted a little too much before realizing his mistake. Truly, it was more than we bargained for.)
2. Year of Beyoncé
Let’s be real—every year belongs to Beyoncé in the eyes of the BeyHive. But 2024 was on another level. After dazzling us with the glittery, silver-laden Renaissance Tour, Beyoncé surprised the world on February 14 with "Cowboy Carter," her ode to country music infused with a hip-hop edge. The album featured Black country stars alongside legends like Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton and included a "Black girl-friendly" revamp of Jolene.
Despite dominating the country charts, the CMAs snubbed her yet again—unsurprising but infuriating. And on December 1, Beyoncé reprised her role as Nala in the live-action Lion King, sharing the screen with Blue Ivy. Beyoncé will always Beyoncé, and now Blue is following suit.
3. Usher’s Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show
On February 11, Usher delivered one of the most electrifying Super Bowl halftime shows in recent memory, featuring skaters, strippers, and even Jermaine Dupri sporting those frilly socks we all wore as kids. The performance doubled as the kickoff for his album Coming Home, which spawned chart-topping hits and reignited his career.
While Usher’s antics on tour became exhausting by the end of the year, there’s no denying he reminded us why he remains in the running for the King of R&B crown.
4. Diddy Likes to Party—Now He’s Paying for It
On May 15, the Department of Homeland Security raided Sean Combs’ homes in LA and Miami. TMZ broke the story, and it quickly spread across major outlets. Though his sons were detained and later released, no arrests were made initially.
Meanwhile, lawsuits alleging sexual assault began to surface. The most shocking came from Cassie Ventura, who filed her civil suit under New York’s Adult Survivors Act just before its December 31, 2023, deadline. Within 24 hours, Diddy settled for an undisclosed sum.
But on October 18, Combs was taken into custody in NYC. Federal documents revealed disturbing details, including a leaked clip of Combs dragging Ventura into a hotel room—leaving little room for doubt.
5. Jay-Z Caught in the Crossfire
In November, an unnamed victim alleged that Sean Combs and Shawn Carter (Jay-Z) raped her at the 2001 VMAs when she was just 12 years old. While the civil case falls outside the statute of limitations, the allegations caused a media firestorm. Jay-Z, Roc Nation, and the victim’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, have been trading public blows ever since.
6. Jamie Foxx’s Comeback
After suffering a stroke in 2023, Jamie Foxx endured wild conspiracy theories—including claims that he was a clone. By late 2023, Foxx made a few public appearances, but skepticism lingered.
Then, on December 15, 2024, Foxx dropped "See What Happened Was," his first comedy special since his recovery. A perfect blend of humor and raw emotion, the Netflix hit silenced doubts about his health and proved that Jamie Foxx is back in full force.
From Beyoncé dominating the charts in cowboy boots to Diddy’s long-awaited reckoning, 2024 delivered enough drama to rival a season of "Scandal." As the year winds down, we can’t help but wonder: Will the industry ever recover—or is this just the prelude to an even wilder 2025?