Revisit 2016’s major pop culture moments in GIFs
It’s been a long year. Let's recap, shall we?
In commemoration of the end of the year, we rounded up some of 2016's most notable pop culture moments in a GIF calendar for your viewing pleasure. Revisit the highlights — and lowlights — below.
January: Kanye and Wiz make WAVES on Twitter
Who could forget the Twitter beef of the century? In January, the Pablo artist took aim at Wiz Khalifa after the rapper called out West for failing to credit Max B as the pioneer of the "wavy" sound and seemingly tweeted about West’s wife, reality TV mogul Kim Kardashian (The tweet in question: "hit this kk and become yourself" was actually a reference to Khalifa Kush, Khalifa's personal strain of marijuana). Amber Rose also joined the fray, making a pointed diss at West that all but broke the Internet.
February: Beyoncé gets the Super Bowl audience in Formation
In a blockbuster performance that drew as much ire as admiration, Beyoncé upstaged the headline act, Coldplay, centering the Black Panthers, the Black Lives Matter movement and black pride on a national stage.
Plus: Leonardo DiCaprio finally gets his Oscar.
In one triumphant moment 25 years in the making, the Revenant lead took home the award for best actor for his turn as embattled frontiersman Hugh Glass. In his acceptance speech, DiCaprio acknowledged directors past and present, his family and his friends. He then broached climate change and the importance of appointing leaders "who speak for all of humanity, for the indigenous people of the world, for the billions and billions of underprivileged people who will be most affected by this, for our children’s children, and for those people out there whose voices have been drowned out by the politics of greed."
"Let us not take this planet for granted," he added. "I do not take tonight for granted."
March: Supergirl and The Flash get super-friendly
No, you’re not in a parallel universe — but The Flash was! In a highly-anticipated CW crossover, The Flash’s Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) and Supergirl’s Kara Danvers (Melissa Benoist), a duo now known as the "World’s Finest," joined forces, winning our hearts and those of the citizens of National City with their super-powered adventures.
April: Beyoncé’s Lemonade
With Lemonade, Beyoncé quenched the thirst of black women and girls everywhere, simultaneously acknowledging their trauma while celebrating their triumph in an unapologetic ode as bitter as it was sweet. And we're still drinking it in.
May: Game of Thrones' Jon Snow wakes up
But the Jon who was resurrected is not the Jon who was assassinated, a fact that revived fans' concerns.
June: Kanye West's Famous video drops
West's much-hyped VMAs speech may not have been the highlight of the show, but Teyana Taylor's performance in his Fade video will remain Famous. Unveiled at the VMAs, the TIDAL exclusive starred Taylor as a pop-locking gym rat whose dance moves could make Traffic Stop and whose abs likely inspired viewers' New Year's resolutions. We were not worthy.
July: Pokemon Go takeover
Gotta catch 'em all — or, at least, try? And millions of users did after the augmented reality game was unleashed on the world, allowing nostalgic fans to hunt and catch Pokemon in real time and in the real world.
August: Drake makes Headlines with Rihanna
Drake put in Work after Rihanna was named the recipient of MTV's 2016 Video Vanguard Award, surprising the ANTI artist with a congratulatory billboard in L.A. and taking the stage to deliver a heartfelt presentation of the Video Music Awards' high honor. During his speech, the rapper heaped praise on Rihanna, telling the audience "she's someone I've been in love with since I was 22 years old" before leaning in for a kiss (which may or may not have landed).
September: Brangelina splits
Forget Hiddleswift — the Internet was mourning Brangelina after reports broke that Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt. The news sent shockwaves through Hollywood and the media, which had long followed the philanthropic, globe-trotting A-listers since they were first romantically linked in 2004.
October: Ken Bone
Donald Trump may have won the 2016 presidential race, but Ken Bone was the real star of this election cycle. The undecided voter — and his signature red sweater — rose to fame after he asked a question about energy policy during the second presidential debate. Dubbed "the human version of a hug," Bone went on to inspire countless memes, though his celebrity quickly became just another flash in the pan.
Plus: #NastyWoman
After then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump muttered that Hillary Clinton was "a nasty woman" during the third and final presidential debate, women took to social media to reclaim the label, taking it up as a feminist rallying cry.
November: Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
We waited eight years to find out how Lorelai and Rory were supposed to say goodbye — and the result was as frustrating as it was fitting. But then again, that's life for you.
December: The new Star Wars movie made us want to go Rogue
We won't spoil it for you but trust us (and these critics): You'll want to see this one.
Plus: Camila Cabello leaves Fifth Harmony
Fifth Harmony fans may feel 2016 is ending on a low note with the highly-publicized departure of Cabello, but the band has promised Harmonizers that they will continue on. "We are four strong, committed women who will continue with Fifth Harmony as well as our solo endeavors," the artists said in a statement, adding, "We can't wait for what the new year brings."