Last year was full of ups and downs in the music industry. It was marked by major comebacks, mainstream artists’ beefs, album flops, and much more that kept music fans on their toes. Here are the top three biggest winners and losers of 2024.
Biggest winners:
3. Charli XCX
Charli returned as a mainstream artist after dropping what is undoubtedly the best album of 2024, BRAT. The record is a dance-pop masterpiece that reminded everyone of Charli’s immense talent and ambition.
2. Kendrick Lamar
The American rapper got into a rap beef with Drake that had the fans buzzing. They threw heavy lyrical shots at each other, including serious allegations. However, Lamar came out victorious after dropping one of the best singles of the entire year with “Not Like Us.” He gained a lot of popularity after being absent from music for a couple of years and ended the year with an announcement that he would headline the Super Bowl and be dropping his latest album, GNX, which is one of the best albums of the year. In 2024, Lamar established himself as the best active rapper.
1. Taylor Swift
Who else would it be? Not only did she have a successful ending to her record-breaking Eras Tour, but she also dropped a new album, The Tortured Poets Department. While not her most artistically ambitious, the album did great numbers either way. The popularity she’s gained over the last year makes her the biggest winner of 2024.
Biggest losers:
3. Kanye West
West had yet another year full of controversies and he put the cherry on top by releasing the worst album of the year, and the worst one in his catalogue, Vultures 2. His rapid and dramatic fall from grace continued throughout 2024 and it has no signs of getting any better.
2. Katy Perry
Perry tried to make a comeback in mainstream music with her new album, 1432. This album fell quite flat and failed to generate any excitement. Her retirement from music cannot come soon enough; however, she’ll always be a pop legend.
1. Drake
The Canadian rapper had his worst year yet and it does not look like 2025 will be any better. Responding to Kendrick Lamar’s bait and engaging in a rap beef against him proved to be a big mistake. His reputation is down to the floor and his music doesn’t seem to be getting any better. It will be interesting to see what Drake does to come back from 2024.