Alot has happened in 2023, read about how my 2023 went as I recap with my top five's!'
Top Five Albums
Raye- My 21st Century Blues
Release Date: February 3rd, 2023
Genre: Dance/ Electric, Pop
Most Popular Song: Escapism
Favorite Song On Album: Mary Jane
Raye is a new artist from the United Kingdom. She has written songs for various artists, but this is her first full length album. She cut ties from her record label in 2021 and became a independent artists. In October 2022, Raye released her song "Escapism" that features 070 Shake. The song became Raye's first solo breakout hit. It soon became popularized on TikTok. I love everything about this song. The beat, lyrics, and meaning made me want to dive into Raye's album more and I was not disappointed. Her voice on this album is smooth and unique. I honestly think that this album was underrated in 2023 and deserves more hype.
Janelle Monae- The Age of Pleasure
Release Date: June 9th, 2024
Genre: R&B, Soul
Most Popular Song: Float
Favorite Song On Album: Lipstick Lover
Janelle Monae was always a artist that I like to listen to when I need to wind down and relax. I was a fan of Monae's 2018 album Dirty Computer and since then I have kept up with her work. The Age of Pleasure have very soul and funk vibes that fits the kind of artist Monae is. The album is nominated for Album of The Year at the Grammys and it is well deserved. The songs speaks to the soul and Monae's voice is silky as usual.
Melanie Martinez- Portals
Release Date: March 31st, 2023
Genre: Alternative
Most Popular Song: Evil
Favorite Song On Album: Nymphology
Since I was about sixteen I have really like Melanie Martinez's art and her craft. This album was everything that I could have imagined. The difference between K-12 and Portals shows Martinez's versatility. I think the thematics of the album was engaging. Melanie's voice is soft and angelic and I will say that I was not disappointed when listening to this album.
Doja Cat- Scarlet
Release Date: September 22nd, 2023
Genre: Rap
Most Popular Song: Paint The Town Red
Favorite Song On Album: Attention
After seeing Doja Cat live on The Scarlet Tour, I have learned to appreciate this album. No features and straight rap. Doja Cat really proved how far her versality is. I think that this is Doja Cat's album where she tells the world 'I can rap good' and the point definitely gets across.
Renee Rapp- Snow Angel
Release Date: August 18th, 2023
Genre: Pop
Most Popular Song: Pretty Girls
Favorite Song On Album: Tummy Hurts
My first experience with Renee Rap was actually because of her acting. Rapp starred in the Max original serious The Sex Lives of College Girls. I didn't know she was a recording artist until this year, which, coincidentally, is the same year that her debut album was released. Her soulful voice was so shocking considering her looks and her personality. Her popstarness was on full force with this album and I can see her career ascending.
Top Five Songs
Doja Cat- Paint the Town Red
Genre: Rap
Release Date: August 4, 2023
The catchy chorus and melody is what makes this song memorable. It was the first rap song to go #1 on Billboard this year, which is a huge accomplishment. The song recently got nominated at the 66th Annual Grammy's for Best Pop Solo Performance.
Troye Sivan- Rush
Genre: Pop
Release Date: July 13th, 2023
Every since his Youtube days, I have liked Troye Sivan's aesthetic and style. He switches it up without changing himself too much. Also a Grammy Nominated song, Rush is a step in the right direction for Sivan's career.
Billie Eilish- What Was I Made For?
Genre: Alternative
Release Date: July 13th, 2023
Barbie took over the world this year. It is no shock that Eilish's ballad pulled on my heartstrings. The placement and usage of Eilish's song wraps the movie up in a bow. My favorite part about this song is the video where Eilish sits and reminisce about her career. Overall, the reflection of womanhood is all encapsulated in this song.
Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice- Barbie World
Genre: Rap
Release Date: June 23rd, 2023
I think that we can all agree that everything was perfect about the Barbie movie, especially the soundtrack! I though it was cool that the sample in the song was from Aqua
Barbie Girl song. I was young when Aqua's version came out so it was nostalgic to hear it modernized. The rap verses are catchy and the beat is so addicting.
Coi Leray- Self Love
Genre: R&B/ Soul
Release Date: June 2nd, 2023
Coi Leray is known as a rapper, but her singing voice is highly underrated. Self Love is a very soothing song that is beautifully produced by Metro Boomin. I honestly think that this is Coi's best song and deserves more acknowledgement.
Top Five Films
Spiderman: Across the Spider Verse
Genre: Animated
Release Date: June 2nd, 2023
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Everything about ATSV is a blueprint for animated movies. The action, the music, the animation, and the storytelling was exceptional. The sequel is just as good as the first movie and that is hard to accomplish.
Barbie
Genre: Comedy
Release Date: July 21st, 2023
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
After seeing this film all I could say is "Hi, Barbie". Barbie will go down as one of pop culture's best moments. The cherry on top of all of this is the director of the film is a woman. Greta Gerwig was recently nominated for Best Director for the Golden Globes and, hopefully, this one will be hers.
Talk To Me
Genre: Horror
Release Date: July 27th, 2023
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Perfect horror movie. The scares were executed perfectly. The suspense added fear. Ad the plot twist was textbook. Talk To Me is a film that is sure to fright.
Guardians of The Galaxy Vol 3
Genre: Action
Release Date: May 5th,2023
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
My favorite out of the trilogy. Guardians of The Galaxy Vol 3. had the same humor, but also had heart. It was new and refreshing, a good end of a era.
Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Genre: Drama, Action
Release Date: November 17th, 2023
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 64%
This prequel has lived up to its name. After all these years. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes had the same impact of the Hunger Games Series This franchise will live all and continue to grow and that is something that I am excited about.
Top 5 TV Shows
The Bear (season 2)
Genre; Comedy/ Drama
Synopsis: "This season focuses on Carmy's plans for his restaurant, The Bear, which will be the successor of The Beef. He plans to open the restaurant with his same kitchen crew" (TheBearWiki.com)
The Last of Us
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: "Based on the video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog, the series is set twenty years into a pandemic caused by a mass fungal infection, which causes its hosts to transform into zombie-like creatures and collapses society" (Wikipedia.com)
Abbot Elementary (season 2)
Genre: Comedy
Synopsis: "Willard R. Abbott Elementary School is a predominantly Black Philadelphia public school where a documentary crew is recording the lives of teachers working in underfunded, mismanaged schools. Conditions at the school are harsh and most teachers do not last more than two years. Optimistic second-grade teacher Janine Teagues is determined to help her students despite the circumstances. She works with awkward, good-intentioned history teacher Jacob Hill; experienced, no-nonsense kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard; and experienced second-grade teacher Melissa Schemmenti, Barbara's close friend, who has questionable connections. They are joined by new school principal Ava Coleman, who is tone-deaf, unqualified, and uninvested, and recent substitute hire Gregory Eddie, who was rejected after applying for the position of principal" (Wikipedia.com)
Gen V
Genre: Action
Synopsis: "At the Godolkin University School of Crimefighting, founded by Thomas Godolkin, young adult superheroes ("supes") put their moral boundaries to the test by competing for the university’s top ranking and a chance to join The Seven, Vought International's elite superhero team. When the school’s dark secrets come to light, they must decide what kind of heroes they want to become" (Wikipedia.com)
Succession (Season 4)
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: "The series centers on the Roy family, the owners of global media and entertainment conglomerate Waystar RoyCo, and their fight for control of the company amidst uncertainty about the health of the family's patriarch" (Wikipedia.com)
Top 5 Animes
Demon Slayer (Swordsmith Village Arc)
Premise: "A family is attacked by demons and only two members survive - Tanjiro and his sister Nezuko, who is turning into a demon slowly. Tanjiro sets out to become a demon slayer to avenge his family and cure his sister" (IMbD.com)
Jujutsu Kaisen (season 2)
Premise: "A boy swallows a cursed talisman - the finger of a demon - and becomes cursed himself. He enters a shaman's school to be able to locate the demon's other body parts and thus exorcise himself" (IMDb.com).
Attack on Titan (season 4 part 3)
Premise: "After his hometown is destroyed and is traumatized, young Eren Jaeger vows to cleanse the earth of the giant humanoid Titans that have brought humanity to the brink of extinction. Humans are nearly exterminated by giant creatures called Titans" (IMDb.com)
My Hero Academia (season 6)
Premise: "A superhero-admiring boy enrolls in a prestigious hero academy and learns what it really means to be a hero, after the strongest superhero grants him his own powers. (IMDb.com)
Chainsaw Man
Premise: "Following a betrayal, a young man left for dead is reborn as a powerful devil-human hybrid after merging with his pet devil and is soon enlisted into an organization dedicated to hunting devils. When his father died, Denji was stuck with a huge debt and no way to pay it back (IMDb.com)
Top Five Books That I Have Read
*All book reviews are on the "Book Review" tab*
Madeline Miller - Song of Achilles
Charmaine Wilkerson- Black Cake
We Deserve Monuments
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Tomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Top Five Moments
Beyonce Breaks Record For Most Grammy Wins
This historic moment is soo important. The most Grammy winning artist is a black woman. Beyonce's longevity in music will forever be cemented and remembered.
Barbieheimer
The Barbieheimer meme took over the internet for days. It was a fun meme and was a excellent way to promote both films. What's even better is that both films have been nominated for multiple awards at The Golden Globes. This proves how important marketing is.
Coco Gauff Wins the 2023 US Open
Black excellence was once again displayed in 2023. Gauff wins the U.S Open at only 19 years old. The moment was so special to me due to the fact that I was a black female athlete in a predominately white sport. That black excellence will surely continue in 2024!
Blue Ivy Joins Beyonce On Stage for The Renaissance Tour
Beyonce Renaissance Tour took over this year. Breaking records and creating memories is a habit that Beyonce hav epciked up nicely. But, this time around, Beyonce showed her daughter, Blue Ivy, what it takes to be a star. Blue Ivy joined Beyonce on stage and it was a cute moment for mother and daughter.
Writers Strike Have Finally Come To End
After months and months of fighting and striking, it seems that the actors and writers of Hollywood finally got the justice that they deserved. I can't wait to see new movies and new episodes of the shows that I love again.
Thank you everyone for reading!!! The last article of 2023 yay!!! As always please make sure to subscribe, share, and like the article!! Happy New Year and Happy Holidays!
Written by: Mariah Sturdivant
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