Black women reigned supreme in 2017, busting open doors in music, television and film.
We had another strong season of Issa Rae’s Insecure, but we also had the soundtrack to our 20s with SZA’s CTRL album —not to mention Girls Trip that dominated the box office. But we can’t forget the men, with Jordan Peele’s Get Out breaking records and an intimate perspective on marriage from JAY-Z.
Check out our top moments in pop culture, below.
This feature originally appeared in the December 2017/January 2018 Issue of ESSENCE Magazine.
Queen, Jada, Tiffany and Regina owned the summer, clearly. After Girls Trip scored $125-plus million at the box office, followed by its October digital release, we’re über-amped for the much-rumored-about sequel. And to quote Tiffany as Dina, “We ready!”
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Comedians Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson chopped it up with celeb guests and each other about dating dramas and every other hilarious thing.
Courtesy of WNYC Studios
Rapper, Remy Ma gave us chills last February when she released “Shether,” the heat-tinged diss track of the decade. Then her former Love & Hip Hop costar Cardi B. (above) hit number one with “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves),” proving that ladies still reign.
Wireimage
Hosted by podcast master Combat Jack (né Reggie Ossé), this series explores the highs and lows of the Bronx-born self-made man Chris Lighty, who left us all too soon in 2012.
Courtesy of Gimlet Media
On her addictive debut, Ctrl, SZA dove into the emotions that drive us mad just before we go back and try once more.
Dia Dipasupil
Lisa Rose/HBO
Copenned by ever-talented star and now Emmy winner Lena Waithe, the epic “Thanksgiving” episode still gives us so many feels.
Courtesy of Netflix
With his album 4:44, the multi-hyphenate did what legends do— reflected, inspired and cemented his legacy. The Friends-influenced video for “Moonlight” starring Hollywood’s new class sealed the deal
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The rocky road to Whitney Houston’s demise was detailed in Showtime’s gripping doc.
Mick Hudson/Redfems
In HBO’s feature, directed by Allen Hughes (above center), Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine (“the innovator” and “the levitator,” as Eminem dubbed them) illustrated that building an empire requires consistent hard work.
Jame Minchin/HBO
For some reason, Jordan Peele’s Get Out is in the Best Motion Picture for a Musical or Comedy category. Get Out is neither musical nor comedy, but we can all agree that it was amazing and deserves all the accolades.
Courtesy of Universal Pictures