2016 has been a roller coaster of a year filled with ups , downs and most of all tears. Tears of joy for Clevelanders that saw their first championship since 1964 when the Jim Brown led Cleveland Browns won the NFL Championship, tears of joy for Chicago Cubs fan that witness their first championship since 1908. 2016 also gave us tears of sorrow for the black men and women that were viciously gunned down by police officers, the Orlando shooting at a gay night club, the bombing in Paris, France, and the deaths of so many pop culture icons that seemed like it would never end. However, there was some bright moments in 2016 and we are here to remind you of the most memorable moments and stars of 2016
Team of the Year
2016 Chicago Cubs: Best Regular Season Record and World Seriees Champions
There is something to be said for living up to expectations and carrying the burden of a 102 year championship drought. The Chicago Cubs did just that in one of the most thrilling World Series in recent memory by coming back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Cleveland Indians. Don’t be surprised to see the Cubs on this list in 2017 as well as they are one of the youngest teams in Baseball.
Honorable Mentions: Cleveland Cavaliers(2016 NBA Champs), UConn Women’s Basketball Team(Winners of 87 games in a row since 2014)
Male Athlete of the Year
Kyrie Irving: 2016 Highlights include NBA Championship and Olympic Gold Medal
You was expecting LeBron James huh ? Kyrie Irving was the driving force behind the 2016 Cavaliers winning their first NBA Championship. He outplayed Steph Curry the whole series and hit the game winning shot to seal the Cavs championship over the two time reigning league MVP himself. If that wasn’t enough, Kyrie capped off his summer by leading the Team USA Men’s Basketball team to their 3rd straight Olympic Gold medal.
Honorable Mentions: LeBron James(6 straight Finals appearance and 2016 NBA Champion, Cam Newton (Reigning NFL MVP), Stephen Curry(Reigning 2 Time NBA MVP) and Conor McGregor (Two Weight Division UFC Champion)
Female Athlete of the Year
Simone Biles: 2016 Highlights: 4 Olympic Gold Medals
The 19 year old took home 4 Olympic Gold medals and was the first American gymnast to be giving the honor of being the flag bearer in the closing ceremony of the Olympic games. Biles will forever be a cultural icon.
Honorable Mentions: Joanna Jedrzejczyk(Undefeated UFC Strawweight Champion), Charlotte Flair (4 Time WWE Women’s Champion), and Breanna Stewart(2016 NCAA National Champion/Female Player of the Year/All American, 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist, and 2016 WNBA Rookie of the Year) .
Most Viral Video Series of the Year
The Mannequin Challenge
The Mannequin Challenge gets the honor as it brought generations together from Millennials to Baby Boomers. It’s quite easy to be apart of as all you have to do is stay still like an actual mannequin. The videos also helped Rae Sremmurd’s Black Beatles song climb to the top of the Billboard charts.
Honorable Mention: You Name It and So Gone Challenge.
WTF Moment of the Year
Donald J. Trump becoming President of the United States.
Let’s face it the thought of a Donald Trump presidency was amusing to us but it is now a reality. Donald Trump is set to step foot in the oval office on January 20th, 2017 and many Americans are still screaming WTF !
Honorable Mentions:Kanye West Sacramento Rant, Glenn and Abraham’s Walking Dead deaths, and Birdman’s “Put some Respek on my name Breakfast Club rant).
Comeback of the Year
Gucci Mane
Gucci Mane came back in 2016 with a vengeance. He rose above the claims that he was a clone. Released two studio albums within the calendar year along with 6 mixtapes, and announced the start of his clothing line, Delantic.
Honorable Mention: Dave Chappelle(Hosted SNL and signed a $60 Million dollar deal with Netflix for 3 upcoming comedy specials.
Fashion Designer of the Year
Virgil Abloh is one of the top designers currently out there. He is mostly known for being the Creative Director for Kanye West as well as the head designer of his own line Off-White. To sum of Virgil Abloh, I will leave you with a quote from Bradley Bell, designer of HTA Yen and currently a contributor at Elsewhere World
Virgil Abloh brought something new to the table. I never saw, heard, and imagined a project with so much depth behind it. He is mastering the art of the mundane. His ideology of making a new language, not just clothes, is what drives his designs to new levels. Bradley Bell
Honorable Mentions: Stacy Bendet (Alice + Olivia) and Alexander Wang ( Alexander Wang).
Television Show of the Year
Power Season 3
Power is a show that successfully bridges the gap between good and evil. The shows main protagonist Jamie “Ghost” St.Patrick(Omari Hardwick) is a club owner/ drug dealer that wants out of the drug game and to be with his high school sweet heart Angela while committing infidelity with his current wife(soon to be ex-wife) Tasha. Jamie’s oldest son has issues with his dad and some may describe him as an untrustworthy or manipulative person to his best friend Tommy. The show’s main antagonist Kanan( Curtis 50 Cent Jackson) wants Ghost dead after being set up by Ghost to go to prison. Kanan is seeking revenge on Ghost and is using his son Tariq to get to him. What makes the show work is that every character is flawed and the motivation behind each character’s actions is understandable and relatable. Everyone truly believe that they are doing the right thing.
Honorable Mentions: The Walking Dead Season 7, Rob and Chyna Season 1, The People vs O.J Simpson:American Crime Story, and Westworld Season 1.
Movie of the Year
Deadpool
Deadpool wasn’t the best movie of 2016 for it’s plot or acting; although, Ryan Reynolds did a fantastic job with the character. It was the best movie of 2016 because it was the most accurate comic book portrayal of a character straight from the comics to the big screen. Everything from the costume, mannerisms of Deadpool, and his character development throughout the film was spot on.
Honorable Mentions: A Birth of a Nation, Captain America Civil War, Arrival, The Jungle Book, Captain America: Civil War, O.J : Made in America, 13th, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Album of the Year
TLOP by Kanye West
Album of the year is very subjective as it is based off the genre of music that you prefer but I am personally a fan of all genres of music and Kanye West’s TLOP album is a journey from beginning to end. It even caused controversy with a controversial lyric about a certain somebody. Overall TLOP was Kanye’s best album since My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and should definitely overshadow all of Kanye’s less than stellar moments of the year.
Honorable Mentions: Blonde by Frank Ocean, 24K Magic by Bruno Mars, ANTI by Rihanna, This is Acting by Sia, A Seat at the Table by Solange Knowles, Lemonade by Beyoncé , Blackstar by David Bowie, Stop/Shut Up/Shout it Out by Bern/Hoft, Coloring Book by Chance the Rapper , Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight by Travis Scott, 4 Your Eyez Only by J. Cole, and Views by Drake.
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