Ok, so 2008 was pretty shitty, with the recession thing and what not. But, 08 was not without its ups, and I had to do a quick compendium of the peeps that made shit happen in 8 pop-culture areas. Of course feel free to disagree and comment back with your top-8 choices, because mine were probably easier and more obvious, I’m lazy. Sue me. Or start your own blog.
With no further hubaloo, my oh-eight greats are….
1. Politics: OBAMA
What more is there to say? Obamania ensues with his landslide and landmark victory. Folks of all color rejoiced, Republicons reeled in disarray. Tina Fey and Sarah Palin gotta get the nod on this one for the no-look, behind the back assist on the slam dunk victory. Yes we could, now let’s hope he can live up to the hype.
2. Economics: BANK OF AMERICA [Kenneth D. Lewis, Chairman]
While over valued mortgages, unworthy borrowers, and risky investment strategies saw the fall of Wall Street’s banking powerhouses, B of A was on the come up and acquired Merrill Lynch and Countrywide. Bank of America is looking like it will live up to it’s name as the only bank in America.
3. Sports: MICHAEL PHELPS
Further cementing the American mantra of individual achievement, dood ruled the water and won 8 Gold Medals in Beijing, although China captured the most overall medals. Even better were the flicks of Phelps balling out Hollywood style post-Olympics. Win big, party big. It’s as American as apple pie.
4. Fashion: THOM BROWNE
Hate it or love it, high-water pants and doods showing their ankles was kind of a thing in 08. Whether you blame him or laud him, there’s no denying the man’s influence on fashion, capturing GQ’s Designer of the Year Award and a 3-year extension of the Brooks Brother’s collaboration label, Black Fleece. Back in my day, doods with high-water pants got beat up, now they get paid. Go figure.
5. Music: T-PAIN
While Weezy garnered his 8 Grammy nominations and nobody’s heard Ye’s actual voice since Graduation, T-Peezy is the original Auto-tuning crooner. Now, he’s got everybody and their moms are adjusting their shitty singing voices to the right digital pitch, while dropping not only the most catchiest and overplayed anthems on the radio, but making people actually enjoy it.
6. Technology: STEVE JOBS
iPhone’s changed the handheld and touchscreen game. Somehow he managed to get video on those tiny Nanos. i-anything killed shit. 08 was good to Jobs, but trouble seems to be on the horizon as his health has been steadily declining. All I want is a goddamn Apple Ultra-Mini Computer before you go Jobs, aiiight?!?
7. Hollywood: ROBERT DOWNEY JUNIOR
Two words. Iron. Man. Homie resurrected his career like Lazarus, where not more than a few years ago people had already assumed he had gone the way of Spitzer. But along with Iron Man and a scene-stealing role in black-face in Tropic Thunder, RBD seems like he has put his boozin’ and a whorin’ exactly where it belongs: back on the big screen.
8. Art: BANKSY
His funny as shit, ironic, and politically charged stencils came to both New Orleans in the wake of Katrina and to New York, including his very own Village Pet Shop installation, in 2008. Despite countless exhibitions, books, and auctioned pieces at Sotheby’s, Banksy has remained a voice of the streets and graffiti’s most famous advocate and practitioner.
