The internet works in mysterious ways. Brands shell out millions—sometimes billions—hoping to gain some sort of “virality,” only for the internet to say, “Nah, fuck that, here’s a funny hippo instead.” This year was no different. If it wasn’t Moo Deng the baby hippo, it was Turkish sharpshooter Yusuf Dikec with his nonchalant silver medal-winning performance at the Paris Olympics. Or Rihanna grooving with Janhvi Kapoor to Zingaat during the pre-Ambani wedding celebrations. Regardless, it’s been a heck of a year for cultural viral sensations. Here’s what caught our eyes, made us laugh, cry, or awe, and has stayed with us throughout 2024:
The Most Viral Moments And Memes Of 2024 On Instagram, TikTok, YouTube And More
Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake
The Kendrick Lamar and Drake saga was the cultural showdown of 2024. What started with Drake’s Push Ups quickly spiralled into chart-topping clapbacks, with Kendrick’s Not Like Us emerging as the internet’s unofficial theme song for petty revenge. TikTok trends, memes, and even a viral Halloween costume of “Drake’s L” turned this feud into digital gold.
Very Demure, Very Mindful
Beauty influencer Jools Lebron’s TikTok captioning her professional makeup look as “very demure, very mindful” became a viral mantra. With exaggerated deadpan delivery and over-the-top glam, it turned into an instant meme. Now, it’s a vibe.
Gen Z Boss and a Mini
What’s better than office karaoke? Office TikToks, apparently. The clip of young women chanting “boots and a slicked-back bun” in their workplace hit millions of views, giving us the ultimate Gen Z workplace anthem—and sparking heated debates about work-life boundaries.
Ambani Wedding
The Ambani pre-wedding bash was nothing short of a star-studded spectacle. Highlights included Rihanna and Janhvi Kapoor teaming up to dance to Zingaat, and Justin Bieber flying to India for a private performance. The wedding itself was a three-day extravaganza, following over seven months of pre-wedding celebrations. These included a private performance by Beyoncé and a guest list featuring the industry's elite, with attendees ranging from Mark Zuckerberg to Kim Kardashian.
Paris Olympics But Make It Viral
The Paris Olympics gifted us more than medals—it gave us moments. Australian breakdancer Raygun’s moves were equal parts athleticism and chaos, while Turkish sharpshooter Yusuf Dikec went viral for his minimalist style (read: almost no equipment). Meanwhile, Stephen “Pommel Horse Guy” Nedoroscik’s unbothered vibes earned him meme royalty.
Closer home, it was a bittersweet Olympics for India. Manu Bhaker became the first Indian athlete to clinch two bronze in a single edition. Neeraj Chopra failed to get gold like the last time in Tokyo, but he did set up a gold standard for Indian athletics by winning silver in Paris. The visuals of Neeraj sharing the podium with Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan, who won gold, gave us a peak South Asian brotherhood moment. Besides the tales of triumph, the Olympics also gave us the most agonising sporting moment, when Vinesh Phogat was disqualified on the eve of her final bout for failing to make weight, costing India a guaranteed medal.
Medals won at Paralympics
While India failed to achieve their best performance at the Olympics in 2024, they did shatter numerous records in the Paralympics, winning 29 medals - seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze. Avani Lekhara scripted history by becoming the first Indian athlete to bag multiple gold medals in Paralympics.
Moo Deng the Hippo
Born in July, Moo Deng is a pygmy hippo with the face of someone who’s “so over it.” Her dramatic expressions turned her into a meme sensation, representing every one of us stuck in Zoom meetings.
Saurabh Netravalkar: From Oracle to Hero
This T20 World Cup icon went from coding at Oracle to cricketing glory. The internet, of course, turned his journey into a meme fest, proving that dreams really do come true (if you leave your day job).
“Chill Guy” the Meme
A smirking, anthropomorphized dog in a hoodie became the internet’s spirit animal for “it is what it is” vibes. From TikTok to Reddit, Chill Guy ruled meme culture in 2024.
On-stage collabs (AP Dhillon x celebrities | Diljit Dosanjh x celebrities | Karan Aujla x celebs)
In 2024, Indian music stormed global stages, powered by the unstoppable trio of Diljit Dosanjh, Karan Aujla, and AP Dhillon. Diljit Dosanjh, fresh from his Coachella glow-up, gave us a viral crossover moment that pop culture will talk about for years. During Ed Sheeran’s Mumbai concert, Diljit brought the house down with “Lover,” and yes, Ed sang in Punjabi. Add to that Diljit’s sold-out "Dil-Luminati India Tour," and the who’s who of Bollywood screaming ‘encore’ during India’s most high-profile weddings and Diljit clearly emerges as the global ambassador for our music.
Karan Aujla, with his unapologetically Punjabi swagger, became the poster child of Desi hip-hop. Collaborations with international artists and sold-out shows from London to New York with crowds chanting his lyrics like they were gospel or Bollywood dancing off to “Tauba Tauba,” Aujla’s global appeal was undeniable. He also made history by winning the Fan Choice Award at the 2024 Juno Awards, becoming the first Punjabi artist to receive this honour. This accolade, previously awarded to icons like Justin Bieber, underscores his significant impact on the Canadian music scene.
And then there’s AP Dhillon, who turned his "Brownprint Tour" into a full-blown Punjabi music festival. The highlight? A jaw-dropping Delhi show featuring legends Honey Singh and Jazzy B, bridging old-school beats and new-age trap in a way only AP could pull off.
Not only did they prove that Indian hip-hop belongs on global playlists, but seeing Punjabi lyrics chanted in stadiums and streamed in millions reaffirmed that 2024 was their year.
Trump assassination attempt
Donald Trump’s historic return to the White House as the 47th President of the United States was marked by significant challenges, including two assassination attempts during his 2024 campaign.
The first attempt occurred during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman opened fire, grazing Trump’s ear and tragically killing one attendee. The shooter, armed with an AR-15–style rifle, fired eight rounds before being neutralized by Secret Service agents.
The second attempt took place at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. A suspect, armed with a rifle, was spotted by Secret Service near the golf course. While the assailant initially escaped, he was apprehended within 40 minutes and now faces federal charges, including attempted assassination.
Despite these threats, Trump secured a decisive victory, earning 312 electoral votes and flipping key swing states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. He also became the first Republican to win the popular vote since 2004. Conspiracy theories about Trump’s 2024 assassination attempts ranged from claims about insider involvement or deliberate security lapses, reflecting intense political polarization.
Trump’s second term is anticipated to bring significant shifts in both domestic and international policies, cementing his legacy in U.S. history.
India's Got Latent
Comedian Samay Raina's brain child, India's Got Latent, a parody show like India's got talent has been sitting at the number 1 spot of trending videos since weeks now. Every week or 15 days, Samay releases a new episode, where particpants from around the country come and showcase their talent.
The twist, however, is that they should score themselves on 10 before their performance and if their score and the judges score match, the partipant wins and takes home the entire pot of money collected from ticket sales that day. Celebrities ranging from Siddhant Chaturvedi to Raghu Ram, Urfii Javed, Raftaar and Tanmay Bhatt, to name a few. The show is unconventional and full of raw comedy. While virality is easily achieved, one episode of watching this show is going hook you and keep coming back for more.
Bhavish Agarwal vs Kunal Kamra
In October 2024, Ola Electric CEO Bhavish Aggarwal and comedian Kunal Kamra engaged in a lively Twitter spat that had the internet buzzing. It all began when Kamra posted a photo of Ola scooters queued up at service centers, criticizing the company’s after-sales service and tagging government officials for intervention. Aggarwal, not one to hold back, fired back by accusing Kamra of sharing a "paid tweet" and jokingly offered him a job at Ola to “earn more than from his failed comedy career.”
The banter escalated when Kamra highlighted claims of bouncers at Ola service centers, quipping, “Sales team for sales & bouncers for after-sales.” While Kamra was at his usual witty best, the Ola CEO’s dismissive tone undermined customer concerns.
The exchange sparked debates on corporate accountability and the role of public feedback in improving services, turning a customer complaint into a headline-grabbing online duel.
Lookalike contests (Timothee Chalamet | Abhay Deol | Paul Mescal | Dev Patel)
With celebrity look-alike contests taking over parks, pubs, and Instagram feeds, it seems pop culture decided to ditch subtlety for a full-blown identity crisis. From Timothée Chalamet doppelgängers in New York to Abhay Deol enthusiasts in Delhi, these gatherings straddled the line between quirky fun and existential parody.
The Delhi Abhay Deol contest was a standout: where else would a guy win ₹500, three film tickets, and two packs of gum for channeling Bollywood’s favorite understated icon? Meanwhile, Chalamet look-alikes in NYC were judged on cheekbone angles and hair swoop accuracy, a level of commitment that would have made even Timmy himself wonder if he should start looking like them. Dublin brought us Paul Mescal wannabes rocking short shorts and earbuds, with a winner rewarded €20 or three pints—an appropriately Irish payout.
But let’s not ignore the absurdity. These contests have become a mirror to our collective need for validation, nostalgia, and relatability in an era dominated by curated identities. Makes you wonder if in a world desperate to stand out, looking like someone else might just be the quickest way to do it.
India at Cannes 2024 (All We Imagine as Light)
From eight-minute standing ovations to heritage resurrections, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to call Cannes 2024 India’s moment at the world stage of cinema.
After a 30-year drought, India returned to the main competition with a story that was part poetry, part provocation. All We Imagine as Light, the tale of two nurses exploring love and self-discovery earned the Grand Prix—a prize that put Indian cinema back on the global radar. Meanwhile, Sandhya Suri’s Santosh, the story of a widow-turned-police-constable, screened in Un Certain Regard, wasn’t just lauded for its narrative depth—it also sparked a Twitter thread on why Indian small-town stories need more international screens.
But Cannes 2024 wasn’t just about new narratives. The restored 1976 classic "Manthan”, a film funded by farmers, reminded the world that Indian cinema has always been a collective movement—long before crowdfunding had hashtags. Kolkata-born actress Anasuya Sengupta’s Best Actress win and the striking visuals of India’s first student film to claim a La Cinef Award reflected a cultural zeitgeist that is ready to expand its global footprint.
D Gukesh Creates History
Growing up hearing the legends of Viswanathan Anand, when his juggernaut was stopped by Magnus Carlsen in 2013, it was hard to imagine anyone from India reaching the same exalted status. It was harder to imagine that it would be a teenager, and that explains the enormity of what D Gukesh achieved by beating Ding Liren to clinch the World Chess Champion.
The Roller Coaster Ride of Indian Cricket
The longstanding drought for the ICC title finally came to an end this year when India beat South Africa to win the T20 World Cup. The rousing reception in Mumbai proved the unifying power of sports, but then no feelings are final in the relentless mill of sports. A few months later, the Indian cricket succumbed to their lowest, getting clean-swept by New Zealand at home.
Lewis Hamilton Moves to Ferrari
After 12 years and 8 championship wins with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, Formula 1’s most successful driver-manufacturer relationship came to an end in 2024 when Lewis Hamilton announced that he would be moving on to Ferrari in 2025. As soon as the news broke, it not only sent the internet into a frenzy but also had a significant impact on the stock market. The seven-time world champion signed one of F1’s most lucrative contracts with Ferrari, which stretches far beyond just his driving duties. Reports suggest that 25% of Lewis’ $87 million salary for the 2025 season will go towards funding his charity organisation, Mission 44. Additionally, Ferrari’s parent brand Exor will create a joint-investment fund, for which Lewis will be the brand ambassador, which promises to give the driver a 10x return on his investment. Following the news of this reshuffle, Ferrari’s stock price on the New York Stock Exchange surged by over 10%, reaching a record high of $348, which led to an increase in the Italian company’s market capitalisation to $7 billion.
Salman Khan Dealt with Death Threat
One of the country’s biggest and highest-paid stars getting death threats in a very public manner was not on any of our 2024 bingo cards. Following the assassination of his close friend Baba Siddiqui, Salman Khan’s security was beefed up after he got several death threats from the shooting accused, Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang for the actor’s involvement in the Black Buck killing case. Amid all this, two assailants opened fire outside Salman’s Galaxy apartments, and the internet couldn’t believe the movie-like drama happening IRL.
Vistara Shuts Down
The internet mourned the loss of one of India’s best airlines, Vistara, after nine years of service. While aviation is tricky business to begin with, Vistara—owned by the Tata group—had to shut shop before merging with Air India. However, this loss felt personal to patrons who believe Vistara had redefined quality air travel in India and appreciated the carrier’s exceptional hospitality, reliability and premium services. Many took to social media to express their disappointment and the crew’s emotional farewell video echoed their sentiment and in turn, went viral.
Illuminati on the Rise
Before you jump to conclusions, we’re referring to the super hit song “Illuminati” from this year’s break out Malayalam film, Aavesham, featuring Fahadh Faasil. Soon after its release, the track started getting popularity on Instagram, where fans would use it to create dance routine and reels set to it. It’s popularity peaked when Wimbledon’s official Instagram account also used the track in the background of a video praising Spanish tennis player, Carlos Alcaraz.
Moye, Moye
If we had to pick one track that perfect sums up 2024, it would undoubtedly be “Moye, Moye”. The song had a chokehold over our timelines like nothing we’ve ever seen, being used to create comedy reels that often represent the misery of life. The original song is called “Teya Dora” and was created by Spanish artist Dzanum (Juzni Vetar – Na Granici) in 2023, but it gained popularity, especially in the Asian countries starting January 2024.
Hawk Thu Girl Going Viral And Getting Controversial
The phrase "hawk tuah" skyrocketed to internet fame in 2024 after Hailey Welch, now known as the "Hawk Tuah Girl," gave a hilariously NSFW response in a street interview about impressing men. Her thick Southern drawl—"You gotta give ’em that ‘hawk tuah’ and spit on that thang"—sparked a meme frenzy across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, generating millions of views, remixes, and even merchandise.
Welch capitalized on the viral moment with a podcast, Talk Tuah, and public appearances, including a Mets’ first pitch. But her foray into crypto with the $HAWK memecoin ended in disaster. The coin's meteoric rise to $490 million was followed by a crash to $60 million, leading to SEC complaints and allegations of a pump-and-dump scheme. Welch has since gone silent, though the cultural imprint of "hawk tuah" lives on—most notably through her song collaboration with musician Jax, where she humorously explains the phrase to her grandma.
