2024 was something else.

As the year closes out, UATL’s staff members are looking back at Black culture and remembering what mattered. In this story, reporter Christopher Daniel shares memories of the year that was.

What was one of the biggest moments in Black Culture in 2024?

The passing of megaproducer Quincy Jones.

FILE - In this Sept. 23, 2014 file photo, Producer Quincy Jones, of the documentary film "Keep On Keepin' On," poses for a portrait, in New York, Sept. 23, 2014. (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP, File)

Credit: Drew Gurian/Invision/AP

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Credit: Drew Gurian/Invision/AP

Name someone who mattered in Black culture, and tell us why:

Vice President Kamala Harris took on the challenge to run for president despite the small window of time allotted. Even though she lost to Donald Trump, she made some strides with student loan relief and almost became the first woman to lead the executive branch.

What album was the one you’ll remember most from 2024, and why?

Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX” was not just a surprise release. It was reaffirmation that West Coast hip-hop is still vibrant, and Kendrick Lamar could make an album that’s poignant, jamming and carries the torches for an often-forgotten musical lineage.

Tell us which 2024 movie you’ll remember the most, and for what reason:

“Piece By Piece” was quite an imaginative trip down memory lane for those of us who were raised and actively studied superproducer-master creative Pharrell Williams.

The movie had something for everybody, whether it was the Lego visuals for kids and that next level cosmic production style that dominated radio in the late ‘90s-early ‘00s.

Pharrell Williams, left, and Gwen Stefani in director Morgan Neville’s "Piece by Piece." (Focus Features/TNS)

Credit: TNS

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Credit: TNS

Who is someone we should be watching in 2025 in Black Atlanta culture?

Shannon Sharpe and the Club Shay Shay podcast. Bruh is destined to possibly take home Emmy Awards for his eye-opening digital interview series with celebrities most media outlets can’t get.

Shannon Sharpe speaks with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday, June 14, at the 2024 Render ATL tech conference in Atlanta, Ga.

Credit: Mike Jordan

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Credit: Mike Jordan

What was something that people should have paid more attention to last year, in your opinion?

Duke Deuce’s album, “Tribe,” with his group Made Men Mafia. The album is entirely produced by Deuce, now an Atlanta resident, and keeps the crunk sound and energy from Memphis alive and well.

Rapper Duke Deuce performs at the Community Gaming room during the Render ATL Tech conference on Thursday, June 1, 2023.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Credit: Miguel Martinez

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Credit: Miguel Martinez

What is something you hope to leave in 2024 and not revisit in 2025?

Kai Cenat.

TikTok food critic Keith Lee, along with influencers Fanom and Kai Cenat, pose for a photo with a fan after giving out free Nike Air Max 95 "404 Day" sneakers during Lee's "community giveback" event in Atlanta on April 3, 2024.

Credit: Mike Jordan

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Credit: Mike Jordan