As we brace ourselves to soak in all that 2025 has to offer, we pause to remember the year that was. The year 2024 undoubtedly made quite the impression and will go down in the history books as one of the most entertaining years in music.

From lyrical clashes to Vybz Kartel’s release after 13 years of incarceration, there was never a dull moment on the entertainment circuit. It was as vibrant as ever. There were so many standout moments over the past 12 months that the Jamaica Observer decided it could serve as quite the treat to relive some of those moments.

So, without further ado, here’s to our top six moments that either left you laughing uncontrollably or overwhelmed with sadness.

1. Vybz Kartel freed

When the Privy Council quashed Vybz Kartel’s murder conviction in March 2024, the proverbial writing was on the wall. Fans anticipated then that it was only a matter of time before their beloved deejay would be freed from his shackles.

That day came on July 31, the eve of Emancipation Day celebrations in Jamaica. As he walked out a free man from behind prison walls for the first time in over a decade, the moment reverberated across the world. Clips of the entertainer, holding hands with his beloved Sidem as he was whisked away in a waiting limousine went viral.

Then came plans to host his first concert on local soil in 13 years. Aptly named Freedom Street, the concert was held to a massive crowd at the National Stadium on New Year’s Eve.

2. Jada Kingdom/Stefflon Don clash

It was clear at the beginning of the year when Jada Kingdom and Stefflon Don launched their lyrical attack on each other, that 2024 would be memorable indeed. After the pace on the entertainment scene was slowed by three years of pandemic trauma, the lyrical confrontation injected life into the space.

Fans of the female artistes as well as thousands of social media users were glued to the respective digital platforms eager to hear what the next diss track would deliver. And the women did not disappoint. In true dancehall fashion, both female artistes put pen to paper and served up a sizzling clash that left dancehall the overwhelming winner.

3. Murder on lives

Live streaming platform TikTok has seen its popularity surge to new heights on the local scene in 2024. The platform, which gave popularity to comedic acts such as Swiiss Lee, Derrick Morgan, Monae and Jayden, has been a source of continuous laughter for users who spend hours on the app keeping themselves entertained. However, as much as the app has provided comedic relief it has also become a space of great turmoil and grief. Towards the end of 2024, the app was flooded with clips of the gruesome final moments of at least two popular TikTokers. Twenty-three-year-old Marlon Samuels, also known as 41 Busshead, was gunned down during one of his live sessions, hours before his birthday. Just weeks before that murder, another TikToker, Xavier “Niah Gang” Fogah, was shot and killed, also during a live stream. The killings sparked calls for the platform to be banned in Jamaica. However, at least one highly placed Jamaican cyber forensics expert insisted that the “practice of oversharing and not the platform” is the real culprit. The seasoned forensic expert pointed out that criminals in other jurisdictions have perfected the art of using social media platforms to scope out their rivals so as to perfectly time attacks.

4. Bounty/Beenie/Nadine Sutherland get national honours

Moses “Beenie Man” Davis and Rodney “Bounty Killer” Price were among 150 Jamaicans who were announced as recipients of 2024 national honours and awards. The iconic pair were honoured in October. They were given the Order of Distinction (OD) in the rank of Officer for “contribution to the development of Jamaican music (dancehall).” Nadine Sutherland also received the OD in the rank of Officer for her contribution to the development of Jamaican music. Sutherland celebrated 45 years in the music industry in 2024.

5. Kirk Franklin shorts at Fun in the Son

Declaring that he would be delivering an energetic set that would require a lot of jumping, international gospel artiste Kirk Franklin made it clear from the outset that he didn’t dress for church, but according to the venue and the performance he would deliver. Still, when the entertainer graced the stage at the annual Fun in The Son event in April his attire rubbed many the wrong way. Clad in a close-fitting white shorts and a sleeveless, knitted vest, the singer’s outfit outdid his performance.

In the days after his performance social media was flooded with comments from critics who believed his attire was inappropriate for a gospel event. In a post at the start of 2025, several months after the debacle, Franklin issued an apology to the Jamaican people stating that he is now fully aware how his choice of attire was deemed as offensive.

“I am aware now that my choice of attire, which as a team we thought would be fine as we are going outside in the weather, was going to be something that would not come across as disrespectful and, since I’ve spent most my career dancing, moving around and jumping on stage I didn’t know that I would ever do anything that would offend anyone and any community, but it did and because it did I sincerely apologise,” said Franklin.

6. Macka Diamond/Derrick Collab

From one TikTok extreme to another, we now take a look at how the platform launched one user into stardom so much so that he was able to land a collaboration with a popular dancehall artiste. In a TikTok fairytale of sorts, Derrick Morgan more widely known as Uncle Derrick, was singled out by veteran entertainer Macka Diamond to voice on a track. The record, What Can Go So, caused quite the buzz as listeners gave the track mixed reviews. Some dubbed it rubbish and undeserving of airplay, while others praised the song’s catchy vibe.

Defending the song and her decision to voice Uncle Derrick, Macka Diamond said everything, even foolishness has its place in dancehall. “I understand the negative commentary people have about the song, but wi haffi understand say a foolishness run dancehall sometime, and everything has its place in music,” she told the Jamaica Observer. “We also haffi understand say sometime a di same foolishness give a joy to people, and out of that foolishness can come greatness.” Macka Diamond may just have been right as the track has surpassed the million views mark on YouTube, a feat not easily accomplished.

There were many other standout moments in entertainment in 2024, like Romeich Major’s huge blunder involving a popular TikToker that resulted in him being ‘cancelled’ by many and retreating to a social recluse he is yet to emerge from, as well as Sting’s last-minute postponement due to money woes which have left many with the belief that the iconic stage show has done its time and that promoters should perhaps just throw in the towel.

What’s on your list?