2024: A Year Packed with Headlines, and It’s Only April

The year 2024 began with a flurry of activity that shows no sign of slowing down. With only April upon us, the news cycle has been packed with surprising and jaw-dropping moments.

January 2024 – Nicki Minaj vs. Megan Thee Stallion 

The year took off with Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion trading disses, a tension that has been simmering since their 2019 collaboration on “Hot Girl Summer.” Megan dropped “Hiss” on January 26th, 2024, targeting Minaj indirectly through clever lyrics. Just days later, Minaj responded with “Big Foot,” after airing her grievances on social media.

February 2nd, 2024 – Jacquees vs. Trey Songz

The tension between Jacquees and Trey Songz escalated into a physical altercation in a Dubai club on February 2nd, 2024. Jacquees accused Songz of initiating a fight, a claim that Songz has mostly stayed silent on.

“This ni**a came in the club talking about rape. The f**k you talking about rape for bi**h a** ni**a? Then you come outside the club and swing on your little brother. You a bi**h,” Jacquees shouted in the clip. 

Songz has been accused several times of sexual assault, but it’s unclear how that became a topic of his and Jacquees tussle. The “Body Right” crooner would also reveal that Songz snatched several of his locs. Songz has remained mostly silent on the matter.

pic.twitter.com/RLkMNDofZW

— media archive (@omgmediaarchive) February 2, 2024

February 4th, 2024 – Jay-Z Defends Beyoncé at the Grammys

At the 2024 Grammys, Jay-Z used his acceptance speech for the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award to critique the Recording Academy for not awarding Beyoncé Album of the Year, despite her record-breaking Grammy wins.

“I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than anyone and never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work,” Jay-Z stated as the camera panned to Bey. 

February 6th, 2024 – Drake’s Nudes Leak

Drake’s nudes surfaced online on February 6th, sparking debates over social media policies on celebrity privacy. Despite the controversy, Drake confirmed the authenticity of the images without showing much concern.

a crowd of users are coming to X amid a flood of supposedly prohibited content (see: policy-violating drake nudes or deepfake taylor swift porn)

and the owner of the platform is cheering on the traffichttps://t.co/9Z4ixTYvOB

— Kylie Robison (@kyliebytes) February 8, 2024

March 21st, 2024 – Akademiks & Meek Mill beef 

Meek Mill and Akademiks have been at odds for various reasons over the years. However, in March 2024, their issues boiled over in a nasty war of words on social media. The pair went to war over Akademiks slamming Meek for being a fake activist. The blogger claimed Mill often spoke out against violence while rapping about it. Mill eventually blocked Akademiks, so hopefully, the drama is over. 

Meek Mill has finally blocked Akademiks pic.twitter.com/39ubLCQipN

— Benjamin X (@BeNnYx_1) March 31, 2024

March 25th, 2024 – Diddy home raids

The legal issues for Diddy began in late 2023 when ex-girlfriend Cassie sued him for sexual assault. They spilled over in a dramatic display of force when Homeland Security agents raided several of his homes in Los Angeles and Miami. It has been reported that agents took electronic devices during the raids. There are allegedly multiple people cooperating against Diddy, including Cassie. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed, though the mogul’s sons, Justin and Christian, were placed in handcuffs during the chaos. 

Live on air! 🎥 Music mogul and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs has come under intense scrutiny due to a series of serious sex trafficking allegations against him. The investigation into these allegations took a significant turn last week when federal agents conducted raids on… pic.twitter.com/gIQshfjSt9

— Durée & Company (@dureecopr) April 4, 2024

March 25th, 2024 – “Real Housewives of Potomac” cast shake-ups

“Real Housewives of Potomac” lost two of its most famous cast members. On March 25th, it was announced that both Candiace Dillard Bassett and Robyn Dixon would not be back for season nine. Dixon has been on the show since its debut in 2016, while Dillard Bassett joined during season three in 2018. However, after several tense moments during the season, which fans believe were rooted in colorism, both ladies are reportedly out. 

March 28th, 2024 – 50 Cent accused of rape by ex-girlfriend, Daphne Joy

In the midst of the Diddy investigation, several women were named as alleged sex workers for the Bad Boy founder. This included rapper Yung Miami and Daphne Joy, who shares a son with 50 Cent. When the court documents were unveiled with Joy’s name in them, 50 wasted no time trolling his baby mama, calling her a “little sex worker” on multiple occassions. Joy fired back, accusing 50 of raping her and being physically abusive, as she also denied claims that she was being paid by Diddy for sex. The two are now headed into a custody battle, with 50 declaring that he will seek full custody of their son following the accusations. 

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A post shared by Daphne Joy (@daphnejoy)

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5Ct-VZtKHr/?img_index=1

⚠️#BREAKING⚠️Preference to baby-Mama pipeline & “friend” of Diddy Daphne Joy exposes delinquent-dusty baby daddy 50 Cent as d(e)ad-beat daddy & r(a)pist: pic.twitter.com/rPYSxMIMXw

— Bl💞ck B@rbies (@The_Only_Barbie) March 28, 2024

April 3rd, 2024 – Angel Reese declared for the WNBA draft

LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese shocked fans when she declared for the WNBA Draft just two days after her team was eliminated from the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. While the timing has many people talking, Reese announced the decision with a Vogue shoot, which indicates that she had long planned her professional decision. 

“I’ve done everything I wanted to in college. I’ve won a national championship, I’ve gotten (Southeastern Conference) Player of the Year, I’ve been an All-American. My ultimate goal is to be a pro – and to be one of the greatest basketball players to play, ever. I feel like I’m ready,” Reese stated. The WNBA draft is slated to take place on Monday, April 15th, 2024

Grateful for these last four years and excited for this next chapter. #BAYOUBARBIEOUT pic.twitter.com/EvkzUW08JV

— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 3, 2024