2013 proved to be a major year in popular music.
Acclaimed artists like Kendrick Lamar and Janelle Monae because household names, while a wide variety of hip-hop luminaries (Drake, Danny Brown) and indie rock darlings (Arctic Monkeys, The National) dropped projects that added to their respective legacies.
There was plenty of behind-the-scenes intrigue, as well. With Kanye West and Kim Kardashian welcoming their baby daughter, the unfortunately-named North West, into the world. Kid Cudi surprised fans by announcing his departure from G.O.O.D. Music–with Hit-Boy soon following him out the door. And, of course, Kendrick Lamar‘s now-infamous verse on Big Sean‘s “Control” got everyone‘s attention.
But there were five musical “happenings” this year that truly captured the public. Not the sleazy gossip stuff or even a hot single–these are musical moments that defined pop culture in 2013…
