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RIP: 'Fleek' and other pop culture passings of 2015

Like every other year, 2015 was no stranger to fads and celebrity controversy.

Like every other year, 2015 was no stranger to fads and celebrity controversy.

Some things, we're sad to see go. And others . . . well, no. Here, we pay tribute to the pop culture bits we lost this year.

Fleek

Born June 21, 2014, when Vine user Peaches Monroee declared "Eyebrows on fleek," fleek quickly entered the vernacular.

But soon, even your auntie was using it on Facebook. If that weren't enough, fleek was being integrated into ads - like, for Hefty. I promise you, trash bags should never be on fleek.

Fleek is survived by lit and other words I refuse to list here because I don't want them to become endangered.

Rest easy and stay fleeky.

Whip and Nae Nae

The Whip and the Nae Nae existed before Silentó released "Watch Me" in March. But for the dance, that was the beginning of the end.

News anchors attempted to whip for ratings. But when Peta Murgatroyd from Dancing with the Stars whipped it and nae nae'd in a promo for the show, I cried for the dance.

The legacy lives on in "the Dab" (on life support, but it has managed to be resuscitated), "the Quan," the "Milly Rock," and other dance crazes that require an iota of rhythm.

Iggy Azalea's career

It's been a far fall from "Fancy."

I'm sure Iggy is dusting the dirt off her back after being dragged so hard in 2015.

The Aussie proudly wore the cultural appropriation crown, rapping in faux "black voice" while dismissing hip hop legends such as Q-Tip.

But after defending Iggy like Johnny Cochran, her former mentor, rapper T.I., no longer speaks with her.

I almost feel bad for her. Then I recall the video for her 2011 song "D.R.U.G.S." in which she rapped that she was a "runaway slave master," and punctuated the line with a whipping motion. Any remnant of sympathy circles the drain. Along with her career.

Iggy's rap career is survived by Kylie Jenner's cornrows and Miley Cyrus . . . like, as a person.

Confidence in Meek Mill

This was supposed to be Meek Mill's year. The North Philly rapper released his debut album, Dreams and Nightmares. He's dating the woman of his dreams, Nicki Minaj.

Then he went ahead and started a beef way out of his weight class by insulting Drake.

Long story short, Meek lost.

To make matters worse, after violating his probation, Meek has been barred from performing and leaving the five counties of Southeastern Pennsylvania. He'll be sentenced in February.

His career isn't dead, but my faith has been shaken. I'm hopeful for a resurrection.

Bill Cosby's reputation

Bill Cosby dominated headlines with multiple allegations of sexual assault, leading to the reexamination of other celebrities accused of sexual predation.

The women speaking out against Cosby led to renewed anger toward celebrities like R. Kelly and Woody Allen.

I say The Cosby Show, and all that it has inspired, was always bigger than its star.

Cos' reputation, however, is buried.

President Obama's reserve

In his 2015 State of the Union, President Obama said, "I have no more campaigns to run. I know, because I won both of them."

The usually measured POTUS started to loosen his tie.

Take his reaction to Republican presidential candidates.

"Every one of these candidates say, 'Obama's weak, Putin's kicking sand in his face. When I talk to Putin, he's going to straighten out,' " the president said at a fund-raiser. "And, then, it turns out they can't handle a bunch of CNBC moderators."

And, after criticism about his handling of ISIS, no one can forget the "If folks want to pop off" heard round the world.

You let 'em know, B-Rocka! Anticipating fewer inhibitions in the new year.

Kylie and Tyga

When it was rumored that rapper Tyga and Kylie Jenner were together in 2014, it wasn't only Tyga's ex, Blac Chyna, who was unsettled. At the time, Tyga was 25 and Kylie was 17. Tyga promised the two were "just friends." Riiiight.

The month Jenner turned 18, Tyga released the video for the song "Stimulated" in which the two canoodled and he raps: "They say she young, I should've waited - she a big girl, dawg, when she stimulated."

I'm not fluent in basic rapper basic-ness, but that connotes all types of sexual acts with a minor.

They were everywhere, from each other's Instagram feeds to the pages of gossip rags.

Anyway, Kylie dumped him on his birthday.

Frank Ocean's 2015 album

Frank Ocean was slated to release an album in July.

Six months later and not a note has been hit, sung, or whispered.

Ocean hasn't put out an album out since 2012. Even Adele is wondering where it is.

Stop playing with our emotions Frank!

Underappreciating Serena

It's. About. Time.

Tennis star Serena Williams won three Grand Slam events and went to the U.S. Open semifinals. She was Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year, the first solo female athlete to receive the award in 32 years.

This year, she was the subject of both derision and awe. Serena "Stay Mad" Williams appeared in non-sports arenas, such the cover of Wired. She stood firm at the center of a tornado of think pieces (some offensive, some not) surrounding that very excellence. And for every Serena-hater, there were a hundred Serena ninjas ready to clap back.

sballin@phillynews.com
215-854-5054

@sofiyaballin