If you’re looking for a mesmerizing year to mark on your calendar, look no further than 2016. This was the year that Beyonce dropped her fierce protest song “Formation” and performed it at Super Bowl halftime.
A seemingly harmless meme featuring dour-faced Pepe the Frog proliferated online to spread white nationalist talking points, and Steve Bannon emerged as Trump’s chief strategist.
Beyonce
Beyonce, full name Beyonce Giselle Knowles, is one of the most iconic entertainers in modern history. She first gained fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of R&B group Destiny’s Child and then launched a hugely successful solo career. She has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and won a record-setting 32 Grammy Awards. In addition to her music, she has used her celebrity to advance causes like Black Lives Matter and the Flint water crisis. She even created her eponymous clothing line and charitable foundation.
In 2016, Beyonce made headlines for launching her sixth studio album, Lemonade. This critically acclaimed visual album was unlike anything she had released previously. Featuring a scathing exploration of cheating and infidelity, the album was a hit with fans.
The following month, Beyonce performed her hit single “Formation” at TV’s biggest stage, the Super Bowl halftime show. Beyonce’s performance drew a lot of attention for her politically charged statement and pro-Hillary Clinton message. In November, she used her enormous cultural influence to back the Democratic nominee for president at an Ohio rally.
The Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs, also known as the North Siders, are an American professional baseball franchise based in Chicago’s Wrigley Field. The club has one of the most loyal fan bases in Major League Baseball, and they are a popular choice among people looking for things to do in Chicago.
Founded in 1874, less than a decade after the Civil War and while Ulysses S Grant was President, the Cubs originally played amateur ball until joining the National League for its inaugural season in 1876. The team, then known as the White Stockings, quickly dominated the NL with six consecutive pennants and three World Series wins in the early 1880s.
The Cubs’ last NL Championship came in 1945, which was the first time they had made it to the World Series since 1938—a drought of more than 70 years. That year’s Series ended in a 4-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants, and the infamous “Curse of the Billy Goat” was born.
By 1989, the Cubs were once again in contention for a pennant—this time finishing 93-69 with a one-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals. Unfortunately, a string of injuries and the constant juggling of the lineup ruined any chance of a repeat performance and cost manager Dusty Baker his job.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur who became one of the most influential cultural figures of the 21st century. She rose to prominence in the country music genre but has since expanded her musical scope with a series of critically acclaimed albums that showcase her talent as a pop artist.
Taylor Alison Swift was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, and grew up on an 11-acre Christmas tree farm in Wyomissing, a suburb of Philadelphia. She began performing publicly at the age of nine and, by the time she was 15, had forged an impressive recording career, thanks to her dedication to songwriting and promotion. After attending an industry showcase in Nashville, Tennessee, she caught the attention of Scott Borchetta, founder of Big Machine Records, and was signed to the label shortly after that.
The release of her debut album Fearless in 2008 was a huge success, and Swift went on to dominate the awards circuit that year. Her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards was a high point, and she made history by inviting Beyonce onstage to close her acceptance speech – a moment that would become iconic.
In 2012, Swift released her fourth studio album, RED, which featured collaborations with producers and songwriters such as Max Martin, Shellback, and Nathan Chapman. It was a major commercial success and earned Swift several accolades, including a record number of Grammy nominations and a VMA trophy.
Ed Sheeran
Edward Christopher Sheeran, MBE, is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. Sheeran was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk, where he flourished as a hidden talent with a guitar and a songwriting gift. At age 11, he was inspired to become a musician after watching Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice perform live. Sheeran began writing his music soon after.
In 2010, Sheeran independently released three EPs – Loose Change, Songs I Wrote With Amy, and Lego House – to little fanfare. He went on to travel the world, performing small shows in venues such as bars and coffee shops to build his audience. In 2011, Sheeran signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records and released his major debut album, +, which topped the UK charts.
Sheeran’s follow-up album, x (Multiply), released in 2014, was a global hit and won Album of the Year at the Brit Awards. The single “Thinking Out Loud” spent an entire year at number one on the UK Singles Chart and earned Sheeran two Grammy awards in 2016 – Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year. Sheeran has a diverse range of musical influences, and he collaborated with numerous artists to record the 2021 album, = (Equals). He also starred as himself in the 2019 film Yesterday.
Meghan Trainor
Meghan Trainor is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, and record producer. She is known for her catchy songs and empowering lyrics. Her unique style has earned her a massive following around the world. In addition to being a successful musician, Meghan Trainor is also an advocate for body positivity and self-love.
Meghan grew up on Nantucket Island, where she cultivated a passion for music at a young age. Her parents encouraged her musical pursuits and took her to regional songwriting conventions during her teen years. These events gave her the opportunity to connect with other aspiring musicians and songwriters, which ultimately led to her first major break.
Upon the release of her debut album in 2014, Meghan Trainor became an instant sensation. Her hit single “All About That Bass” topped the charts and became a global anthem for body positivity. Since then, Meghan has released several more albums that showcase her diverse musical style and impeccable songwriting abilities.
In addition to being a talented artist, Meghan Trainor is also a loving mother and wife. She married actor Daryl Sabara in 2018, and they welcomed their first child, a son named Riley, in 2021. Meghan has embraced motherhood while continuing her career in the music industry, and she is an inspiration for women all over the world.
The 2016 Eurovision Song Contest
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest featured 42 participants and was hosted in Stockholm, Sweden. The contest’s theme was “Come Together,” a message that encouraged the participating countries to reach across borders, politics, and ideologies. The logo, which featured a dandelion blooming with each seed representing the countries, further promoted this theme.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Croatia made their returns after sitting out in 2015, while Romania was forced to withdraw just three weeks prior to the competition due to unpaid debts by its broadcaster TVR. However, Australia returned after a special 60th-anniversary invitation and will now compete through the Semi-Finals instead of starting in the Final.
Broadcaster NDR used their traditional national final, Unser Lied fur Stockholm, to select their act. They internally chose R&B singer Xavier Naidoo, who will represent Germany at the contest with his song Ghost.
Albania chose its entry through its long-running national selection festival, Festivali i Kenges. The winner was Eneda Tarifa, who will perform her song Perralle at the contest. Armenia also chose their artist through internal selection, selecting pop singer Iveta Mukuchyan with her theme LoveWave. The Czech Republic also chose their entrant via an inner section, selecting Idol alum Gabriela Guncikova with her music I Stand. San Marino also went with internal selection, choosing Turkish singer Serhat to represent the microstate in Stockholm with his song I Didn’t Know.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Founding Father
Lin-Manuel Miranda created the Broadway hit Hamilton, which tells the story of the nation’s founding father, Alexander Hamilton. The musical has garnered critical acclaim and won numerous awards, including a Pulitzer Prize and 16 Tony nominations. The show recently made its way to Disney+, and the creator has some thoughts on why people of color need to see themselves in history.
Miranda is a New York-born actor, composer, and lyricist who has created several stage productions that blend modern musical forms with classic theatre. He has won four Tonys, three OBIE awards, and two Drama Desk Awards for his work on the Broadway musicals In The Heights (book, music, and lyrics) and Hamilton.
Having grown up in a Latino neighborhood of northern Manhattan, Miranda’s parents introduced him to Broadway musicals and hip-hop music at an early age. After graduating from Wesleyan University, he performed in a hip-hop improv group before landing his first significant role in the Broadway musical Rent. He subsequently worked on several other musicals, including Merrily We Roll Along and West Side Story, before composing and starring in In The Heights. He has also written the music for Disney’s Moana and starred in Mary Poppins Returns.
