It might officially be autumn, but Brat Summer is still an enigma to many. Charli xcx released her sixth studio album “BRAT” (2024) on June 7. It eventually spiraled into a pop culture phenomenon for people from all ages and backgrounds, garnering worldwide popularity through TikTok. Urban Dictionary defines Brat Summer as an “unapologetic party or ‘messy’ girl aesthetic.” However, it seems like a lot of people simply do not understand what Brat really is.
So, to clear up the confusion, we are going back to the basics, defining the Brat phenomenon by explaining what pop culture events this summer were Brat and which were not.
Biden’s presidential debate performance
Verdict: The wrong kind of Brat
U.S. President Joe Biden took the stage in the first presidential debate on June 27 against former President Donald Trump. What transpired was nothing short of an American tragedy, with Biden struggling to coherently debate his opponent, foreshadowing the end to Biden’s bid for reelection. While the performance effectively ended his decades-long political career, Biden did, to his credit, embody the fourth track on “BRAT:” “I might say something stupid” (2024).
– Alex Gerson (27C)
The heat
Verdict: Not Brat
The heat this year was no joke. Arizona’s temperature peaked at 118 degrees Fahrenheit. With the global heat forecasted to exceed 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit above preindustrial levels this century, we can expect rising temperatures in our lifetimes. Although basking in the sun with a beer in your hand is fun, we are teetering on the edge of a climate crisis, and that is scary.
In addition to the impending doom of our climate situation, the non-Brat facets of the heat were wildfires, exorbitant amounts of mosquitos and sweating excessively while trying to walk to your friend’s house in Decatur Highlands. Those were not part of the “unapologetic party or ‘messy’ girl aesthetic.” Instead, a lot of it was just messy.
– Clement Lee (24Ox, 26B)
2024 Paris Olympics
Verdict: Brat
The 2024 Paris Olympics had the bravado and pizzazz to make it quintessentially cool. As the first summer Olympics since the isolated 2020 Tokyo Games, which had many COVID-19 restrictions, Paris athletes performed in front of full crowds. However, the aspect that struck me most from the Olympics was the opening ceremony. Unlike other opening ceremonies hosted in indoor arenas, athletes represented their countries on Seine River cruise boats.
There were some non-Brat mishaps during the Games, such as Team Canada using drones to spy on their opponents, Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn’s set and the less-than-perfect water quality of the Seine. But ultimately, amid the Paris rain and singer Celine Dion’s powerful rendition of Édith Piaf’s “L’Hymne à l’amour” (1949), the world was introduced to a possibility of unity and belonging.
During the official competition, Team USA stepped up to the challenge and put forward Brat performances, earning 126 total medals. I recall sprinter Quincy Hall digging deep and mustering enough willpower to get first in the 400 meter race. Bobby Fink’s and Katie Ledecky’s dominant performances in the individual 1500 meter freestyle race in swimming also stand out.
The event venues were also breathtaking. The two that remain imprinted in my mind are the beach volleyball court below the Eiffel Tower and the Invalides in the background of archery, triathlon and marathon events. If I could watch the 2024 Olympics again in its entirety, I would.
– Clement Lee
Oasis’ reunion
Verdict: Brat for people who don’t like Charli xcx
When you look at the venn diagram of people who like Charli xcx and people who like Oasis, there’s probably just one person that belongs in both camps, and that person is me. Oasis’ reunion shows are shaping up to be a cultural moment in their own right, and for that, the band’s reunion is Brat. However, I just can’t imagine that a ton of Charli xcx fans were logging on to their computers for a chance to see the Gallagher brothers’ reunion when the news of their upcoming concerts broke in August.
– Alex Gerson
Kendrick Lamar dances on Drake’s grave at “The Pop Out: Ken & Friends” concert
Verdict: Brat
You might think that five diss tracks aimed at one of the biggest artists in the world — including a No. 1 song on the Billboard Top 100 calling said artist a pedophile — would be enough. But Kendrick Lamar hates Drake too much to not take a victory lap and dance on the grave of his opponent after a decisive win in the biggest rap beef of this century.
Lamar, joined by countless other rappers such as Tyler, the Creator, Roddy Ricch and Dr. Dre, took the stage on June 19 to both celebrate the rap community and cement himself as the biggest rapper in the world. Just watch Dr. Dre introduce Lamar’s diss track on Drake, “Not Like Us” (2024), and you’ll know that K.Dot is the next in line to be etched in stone among the greatest rappers of all time. If you ask me, there’s nothing more Brat than taking one last shot at your opponent, even after you’ve decisively won the war.
– Alex Gerson
