The new year is still young, but it's already shaping up to be an exciting one. Yes, the year did start with some bad news - Trump's still running for president and North Korea claimed a successful H-bomb test - but that doesn't mean 2016 can't still be fun. Whether you're a huge music fan, nerd or political aficionado, 2016 has something exhilarating in store for everyone.
1. Kanye West's Elusive Yeezus Follow Up: Swish
Kanye West is easily one of the most controversial names in music, yet, people still flock to his albums, and rightfully so. West is an artist whose work many relate to. His albums express real aspects of life: death, losses and success. Plus, Yeezy's ego and ethos are entertaining at the very least.
Swish recently got its 2016 release date: February 11. Though the album has yet to get a tracklist, West has released several singles since 2014 that are expected to appear. Listen to his newest single, "Real Friends," here.
Drake is also on track to release his upcoming album the same weekend. The Internet might finally break.
2. Elon Musk's Hyperloop Dream Begins To Become Reality
People are always looking to get to their destinations faster. In 2013, inventor and entrepreneur, Elon Musk, announced his dream for the future of transportation: the hyperloop. Musk released his papers on the idea and challenged others to create the futuristic transit system. Now, that dream is starting to become a reality.
At the core of this project is Hyperloop Technologies. The company will begin a small-scale test in the first quarter of 2016. In the meantime, the firm is looking for a location for its full-scale, two mile test track. The operational tubes for this very track are already completed, and awaiting their new site.
The idea behind Hyperloop is quite simple. By building a tube, a vacuum can be created. You then add a transportation pod that's magnetically levitated. This all results in a frictionless environment. The exciting part is this means pods can move at incredible speeds using very little energy.
3. The 2016 Presidential Race
Election years are a lot of things: exciting, annoying, busy and historical. 2016 is looking to be especially exciting. On the Republican side of things, we've got several candidates vying for the nomination. Some are reasonable; some you just can't wrap your mind around. The Trump campaign is a flat out miracle. The powers-at-be have hoped, and believed, since the beginning that we would just self-destruct. However, Trump remains the top candidate, shocking many.
On the Democrat side of things, you've basically got two options: Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. People will always love the Clintons, but some are trusting Hillary less and less. She's also had a few faux pas slip-ups, like comparing herself to your abuela. Meanwhile, millennials, nurses and the middle class are rallying around Bernie Sanders. Unlike Hillary, who flip-flops on core issues, Sanders has remained consistent in his ideology and goals for the US. #FeelTheBern, y'all.
Regardless of your political affiliation, 2016 is going to be an exciting year for politics as we elect the next leader of the Free World.
4. The iPhone 7
Apple sells iPhones like hotcakes, so it's no surprise that people are already gearing up for the next installment in the smartphone lineage that changed the game. The rumor mill is already full-steam ahead. Reported by 9to5Mac, the next iPhone is expected to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack in name of waterproofing. Analysts predict Apple will develop new headphones that instead operate through the Lightning port. This will allow advanced noise cancelling technology to be included. At the very least, the rumored removal of the port could simply be another example of Apple's endless desire for a thinner iPhone. The next installment is expected stay on track for the typical timeline, and will be released in the fall.
5. Game of Thrones Returns
When we last saw Westeros, Jon Snow had just been "killed," Daenerys had gotten herself into a seemingly dangerous situation, and the White Walkers had kicked some major ass. It's been an agonizing few months since GoT finished its fifth season, but April is near. Let's hope season six is good to us and answers our countless questions. But most importantly, is Jon Snow really dead?
