2024's Best of the Best

As always, I want to begin by saying how thankful I am for each and every one of you reading this. Since last year’s “Best of the Best”, “What Whitney’s Watching” has more than tripled in size and I owe it all to you! I can’t wait to spend another year giving you my absolute best and I hope you’ll come along for the ride.

2024 was the longest, shortest year of my life and entirely too much happened. But one thing I think we all can agree on is that this was a standout year for artists across all mediums. I was being fed all year especially when it comes to music. Everyone one of my favorite artists put out a classic album this year and I am more grateful than you can imagine. With that being said, let’s revisit some of the best of this year!

My Top 3 Books of the Year

1. Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

   I finished this book and sat in silence for 30 minutes. I was absolutely blown away by the care taken to craft this story and I truly commend Tiffany D. Jackson. Despite how devastating a read this is, I recommend that everyone give it a chance.

2. The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On by Franny Choi

   A beautiful book of poetry that managed to capture every thought and feeling I’ve had over the past 4 years. Very healing stuff.

3. Freedom Is A Constant Struggle by Angela Y. Davis

   Definitely the most important book I’ve read this year. So much of the oppression we face is intimately connected and I’m glad we have Angela Davis still here with us to lay it all out. What a beautiful, brilliant mind.

My Top 5 Movies of the Year

1. Dune: Part Two

   You know that one song in the soundtrack? The one that’s essentially just a Fremen war cry? And then the music rises up and kicks you in the face? Yeah, turn that shit up. I saw this twice in theaters and it wasn’t enough.

2. The Substance

   When Harry Styles said "My favorite thing about the movie is, like, it feels like a movie. It feels like a real, like, you know, go-to-the-theater-film movie." I felt that because that’s how I felt after The Substance. It’s just so movie in the best way possible. Perfect body horror, too. The future of the genre is secure.

3. Monkey Man

   Why are we pretending this never happened? This is the best action movie I’ve seen this year? Dev did his own stunts for y’all to pay him dust as usual I’m sick.

4. Challengers

   Trent Reznor you will always be famous. Oh and the entire cast. Did I mention how transformative the music was?

5. Joy Luck Club

   I can’t believe it took me this long to watch this absolute banger of a classic. We need more movies of just women living and examining their mothers who are also living. Idk I cried.

My Top 7 Anime of the Year

(I told myself I wasn’t allowed to put One Piece on this list because if I did, it would be number 1 for this year and every year going forward.)

1. Look Back

   As creatives, it’s easy to lose track of why you write or draw or whatever but this film reminds us to hold on to our intention as we move forward. I can’t sing its praises enough.

2. Akira

   This was a year of me finally watching the classics I’ve long been meaning to watch and this is one of them. I get why the film bros love this so much. I see now why Jordan Peele insisted on referencing it in “Nope”. Like, how could you not especially if it’s on your mind?

3. The Boy and the Heron

   I love self-exploration through a convoluted plot with beautiful animation. Every mangaka should have one or at least a character that is just literally you in a strange environment. Anyway I watched this while I braided my own hair and it is the perfect braiding movie IYKYK.

4. Dan Da Dan

   Very much early 2000s, Studio Trigger, Kill la Kill realness in the best way possible. People concerned about the future of anime after the current gen ends are forgetting that we have so much material to draw inspiration from. Trends long dead to revitalize. Dan Da Dan gets it.

5. Delicious in Dungeon

   So cute and wholesome. Made me want to cook which is actually insane considering what they eat.

6. Attack on Titan

   Yes this was on the list last year but let me explain. This year I decided to finally watch the entire series from the beginning with all of the context of the ending in mind and chile… THIS WAS A RIDE. It was somehow even more disturbing and terrifying. Every time I remembered that every major event was somehow influenced or outright orchestrated by Eren himself a chill went up my spine. This is one of those anime’s I absolutely recommend returning to if you’ve already finished it.

7. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

   Another unique and inspired story that lets me know that we don’t have to worry about anime going forward. Yes it may not be all huge fights and expansive worlds but we might get a chance to explore our humanity a little more. I think that’s fun too!

My Top 9 Songs of the Year

(When Spotify lies, make your own)

1. Euphoria - Kendrick Lamar

   At one point, I was listening to this song 3 times a day. And it NEVER got old. Kendrick did so much for me this year you don’t understand.

2. Like That - Future, Metro Boomin, Kendrick Lamar

   Kendrick had me listening to Future again, can you believe??

3. Image - Magdalena Bay

   I know Mag Bay isn’t in the game for the accolades but it’s a shame that the Grammys ignored the best pop album released this year as well as this absolute banger.

4. Personal Effects - Chromeo

   Since we’re talking about bangers, my faves have done it again. Not only did they bless my ears with Adult Contemporary, I got to see them and sing it with them live. I even got front row (it was a fight you guys). When the crowd moved and I literally caught Dave 1 and held him up myself it let me know that my time in the gym was not wasted so I have to thank them for that. This has really been a year huh…

5. BODYGUARD - Beyoncé

   There’s no reason for this song to slap the way it does but Beyoncé just can’t help herself I guess.

6. NEMONEMO - YENA

   Who would’ve thought that out of all of the former members of IZONE that Yena would be putting out the best music. Not me, my money was on Eunbi but still I love love LOVE this song like the Michael meme.

7. Bling-Bang-Bang-Born - Creepy Nuts

   I’ve been waiting for Jersey club to make its way to East Asia and I was not disappointed. Damn near broke my ankles dancing to this. Very worth it.

8. They Not Like Us - Kendrick Lamar

   They are really not like us and you should say it even louder. As a steadfast Drake hater this song makes me smile every time I hear it.

9. 365 - Charli XCX

   The definition of a last hurrah. Once brat summer ended the Fall of our discontent began and I’d like to go back please.

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I want to wish you all a Happy Holidays and if I don’t return before the new year, Happy New Year to all! While I know we said no gifts, if you want to buy me a holiday Ko-fi I won’t stop you!