Written by Khadisha Thomas.
2020, boy has it been a year and as we look back on the last 12 months we can all agree that a lot has and simultaneously hasn’t happened, if you catch my drift. Despite all the challenges faced this year the entertainment, music and gaming industry has helped us get through it. This year has been all about escapism and below are TV shows, films, albums, and video games which have taken us away from our harsh realities and boosted our spirits or have provoked thought on the social issues that impact us all. So if you haven’t watched, listened to or played the masterpieces mentioned I highly recommend you do, the year isn’t quite over yet.
Megan Thee Stallion: Good News
Genre – Hip Hop
Houston girl Meg released her debut album Good News in November, but with her songs playing all throughout 2020 and big names featured like Nicki Minaj and Queen B, you wouldn’t even realise this is her first album, or should I say – first rodeo. Some artists take years before they can become this credible, but Megan has had an extremely successful break out and anyone who doesn’t know her must have been sleeping this year. 2020 has been a year where many of us have been stuck inside, clubs, bars, restaurants have been closed and we haven’t been able to travel but put on some Megan you will feel like it’s a ‘hot girl summer.’ With songs to twerk to even if it’s in the confines of your room, and songs that allow women to be sassy, confident and empowered by their sexuality, this album is definitely one of the best of 2020.

Miley Cyrus: Plastic Hearts
Genre: Rock/Pop
One thing we can all agree on when it comes to Miley – she can make any hairstyle look good and she is always making headlines. However this album is less about her being a pawn of popular culture and more about her channeling all the genres she enjoys, being playful, creative and free. Her authentic southern twang complimented by a raspy tone and some belted out notes, this is one of her finest pieces of work. Key songs to listen to – midnight sky and prisoner.
I May Destroy You – HBO BBC
This dramedy starring amazing actress Michaela Coel has to be the best of 2020. It’s not for the faint hearted but it is a show that is telling of our generation and sparks conversations that need to be had. 2020 has been a year where many people are speaking out about equality and injustice, especially with the black lives matter protests in june. This show came out during a time when people have been willing to open their mouths and others have been willing to reevaluate themselves. When Arabella goes on a night out her drink is spiked and she is sexually assaulted, she wakes up the next morning not aware of what happened but pieces of her memory come back. The show watches her as she tries to find out who attacked her and find peace with whatever outcome. This show touches on many ideas of consent, peer pressure and whilst some scenes can be very sensitive, it is also filled with loveable friendship moments, social media trends and funny London slang.

The Queen’s Gambit – Netflix
Unless you’re a fan of playing chess, you may see this show advertising on Netflix and think it’s boring, but this show paints chess in a completely different light. It’s more than just a game of chess. Set in the 1950s Beth Harmon a young orphan develops a hobby for playing chess and eventually her talent leads to her playing competitively in a field dominated by older men. She wins and becomes famous and wealthy but behind closed doors she battles with drug addiction, alcoholism and emotional issues. The Queen’s Gambit is based on a fiction novel but the acting, storyline and cinematography is so good that you would think it was based on true events.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm – Amazon Prime
Nobody would have imagined that Borat was making a comeback in 2020, but it’s the pick me up that we needed. Our favourite crude but charismatic journalist and tv personality Borat is out of prison and has been sent on a mission to marry off his daughter to US President Michael Pence. It’s whacky, makes no sense but a lot of things don’t make any sense this year, so why not for old times’ sake watch Borat make a fool out of himself off the backdrop of the politics of our current climate.
The Last of Us Part 2
For experienced gaming fans you have been waiting a long time for the second part of The Last of Us. You may have lost hope, you may have grown tired of researching and conspiracy theories, but the wait is over. Sony Interactive Entertainment has heard your cries and The Last of Us Part 2 is a game that introduces a new protagonist Abby who SPOILER ALERT is the daughter of the surgeon Joel killed in the last game. This game is less about protecting those closest to you, or pulling at your heart strings, this game is about being ruthless and selfish. Who doesn’t love a good bit of gaming drama and danger? With better fire, water, explosion and glass shattering effects, this will have you on the edge of your seat gripping onto your game’s console.

There are many more movies, tv shows, albums and video games that made the cut for the best of 2020 but if I shared them all we might be here until the end of 2021. It has been a crazy year but thankfully we’ve had these to occupy our time.