2016 was beyond incredible for music. This is a fact that we have deeply analyzed in a variety of lists. But not only was the music itself far above par, but the happenings in the music world reached unparalleled heights of shock, awe and general wtf-ness.

So, in no particular order, from the weird to the wonderful, here are our picks for the Biggest Moments in Music in 2016.

Beyoncé Drops *Another* Surprise Visual Album

As if her 2013 self-titled wasn't enough, Beyoncé stunned the world for a second time with Lemonade, another stunning full-length work and our personal pick for the best album of the year. Making its world-premiere via a much-hyped HBO special, Bey made sure that the release was an event in the truest sense of the word.

That still didn't prepare us for just how monumental the finished product would be. These 12 videos (with the previously released "Formation") in one cinematic whole is her most singularly earth-shattering work yet, and we have been basking in its glory ever since.

Gucci Mane Gets Released From Prison

Gucci Mane doesn't do things on a small scale. His imprisonment in 2014 for firearm possession and preceding appearance in court led to the instantly iconic phrase "Bitch I might be," when asked if he was guilty, which for anyone else would have been a tough act to follow. But his release from prison this year has seen his career skyrocket.

In the months since, he has released not one not two but three full-lengths, appeared in an untold number of guest spots on other rapper's tracks and received his first number one thanks to his appearance on "Black Beatles" by Rae Sremmurd. The only logical explanation is that he indeed has an army of clones.

Taylor Swift Is Unmasked as a Liar

There is a delightful German term used in psychology known as "schadenfreude," which is defined as "pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune." For those of us that have always felt like Taylor Swift is less of an American sweetheart and more of a living embodiment of Mean Girls' Regina George, there was no better example of schadenfreude this year (or maybe any year) than when she got very publicly caught in a lie by Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.

The world's most powerful power couple leaked the phone call heard round the world in response to the controversial lyric from West's "Famous," and Swift has rightly been cowering in her pumpkin-spice-scented cave of shame ever since.

#FingersintheBootyAssBitch

But of course, that whole Taylor Swift downfall was karmic retribution for this other great example of schadenfreude, in which we watch with glee as Kanye's entire ego was annihilated in a single hashtag from Amber Rose.

Revealing that Kanye definitely got a finger up the ass was not just a shutdown of his absurd beef with Wiz Khalifa, but a shutdown for ultra-masculine stereotypes everywhere. Just get over yourselves guys – you are not gay if you revel in the pleasures of anal play. And you go Amber, don't let your exes diss each other (and you!) like that, show them who the boss is.

DJ Khaled Snapchats His Son's Birth

For an example of the most 2016 thing to happen ever, look no further. Is this celebrity obsession culture gone too far or just far enough? Is it cute? Is it exploitative? It is odd? Is it uncomfortable and outrageous? The answer, of course, is all the above.

A Tribe Called Quest Makes a Triumphant (and Timely) Return

It was stunning when A Tribe Called Quest delivered a new album after 18 years of nothing, let alone after the death of founding member Phife Dawg. It was frankly astonishing that it was a true masterpiece and some of the best work of their career.

Expectations were high when it was announced that they would play SNL with host Dave Chapelle. Then the election happened. What followed was an eerily prescient, profoundly moving performance that is the true summation of the career of one of hip-hop's most legendary groups.

Kid Cudi Opens Up About Depression, Starts a Mini-Revolution

After inexplicably starting beef with both Kanye and Drake (a rap career-killing move if there ever was one), things suddenly became clear with his subsequent admission of his dire issues with depression and immediate check-in to rehab.

It was an incredibly brave move in our culture that too often writes off mental health, and his subsequent recovery and positive return to the spotlight speak to something much bigger than his individual case. It paves the way to recovery for his fans and fellow artists alike. Which brings us to...

The Great Kanye Meltdown

Even from listening to The Life of Pablo, it was clear that Kanye West was not doing okay. As his Saint Pablo Tour dragged on, it became known less as a musical event and more for a platform for Kanye to vent his anger for hours on end. Then suddenly in a single weekend, it escalated to his declaration of support for Donald Trump, cutting a concert short after less than an hour and a forced hospitalization psychiatric evaluation.

The time since has bee one of recovery (aside from further allying himself with the Donald) and has raised the questions regarding mental health and the need for privacy in our celebrity culture further than ever before.

Drake and Rihanna Finally Fall in Love?!

It's been the greatest will they/won't they of a generation, and this year things escalated to untold heights of suspense. Drake and Rihanna have done the dance of love for years now, from the playful flirtation of "What's My Name?" to the serious commitment of "Take Care."

Naturally, things got spicer than ever with "Work," particularly with the double video of both artists grinding on each other incessantly, but it took the missed smooch seen 'round the world at the VMA's for the rumor mill to start going in full swing. They aren't together now, but that doesn't mean the dream is dead.

Everyone Good Died

Okay, not everyone. But 2016 will undoubtedly be remembered as the year that the Grim Reaper went to town on our living legends. There could not have possibly been a darker omen than David Bowie dying in the first week of the year to signal things to come, but each one continued to hit hard.

After the landslide of grief in Bowie's passing came Prince, then Leonard Cohen. Eff off 2016. Be gone with ye.

Now head over and check out our picks for the best albums and songs of the year.