Former U.S. President Barack Obama has once again delighted fans with his annual summer playlist, showcasing a diverse mix of musical genres and artists.
This year’s list, revealed on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, highlights the broad range of Obama’s musical tastes, from classic hits to contemporary Afrobeats.
Among the notable inclusions are tracks by Nigerian artists Tems and Rema. Tems’ popular song “Love Me Jeje” and Rema’s “Yayo” make an appearance, reflecting Obama’s appreciation for the global appeal of Afrobeats.
These tracks join a playlist that features a blend of old and new favourites, ensuring a mix that appeals to a wide audience.
The playlist is a tradition for Obama, who uses it to share his musical preferences each summer.
This year’s selection spans various genres, including neo-soul, classic rock, and pop. Fans of Obama’s playlists know to expect a blend of different styles, and this year is no exception.
In addition to the Afrobeats hits, the playlist includes a range of other musical genres. Listeners will find classic tracks like Blackstreet’s “No Diggity,” Digable Planets’ “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat),” and The Supremes’ “Where Did Our Love Go.”
The Rolling Stones also make an appearance with their iconic track “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”
The list also features newer hits and popular tracks from artists such as Charli XCX, whose song “365” represents the trendy “brat summer” theme.
Country music fans will find Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” among the selections, while pop enthusiasts can enjoy Billie Eilish’s “Chihiro.”
Obama’s playlist also includes some unexpected choices, such as Bonny Light Horseman’s “Old Dutch.”
This eclectic mix demonstrates Obama’s broad musical tastes and his ability to blend different styles seamlessly.
In his social media post announcing the playlist, Obama expressed his hope that listeners would discover something new and enjoy the varied selections.
He noted, “With summer winding down, I wanted to share some songs that I’ve been listening to lately – and it wouldn’t be my playlist if it didn’t include an eclectic mix.”
This year’s playlist is released alongside Obama’s summer reading list, which highlights his favorite books of the season.
The dual release of the playlist and reading recommendations is part of a tradition where Obama shares his personal interests and cultural touchstones with his followers.
The inclusion of Afrobeats tracks from Tems and Rema underscores the growing global influence of African music.
These artists have gained international recognition, and their presence on Obama’s playlist reflects the widespread appeal of their music.
Overall, Obama’s summer playlist offers a rich tapestry of musical styles and artists, providing something for everyone to enjoy.
Whether listeners are drawn to classic rock, pop, country, or Afrobeats, Obama’s selections promise a diverse and engaging listening experience.
Obama’s Summer Playlist
Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
Charli XCX, “365”
Billie Eilish, “Chihiro”
Tems, “Love Me Jeje”
Artemas, “I Like the Way You Kiss Me”
Tommy Richman, “Million Dollar Baby”
Hope Tala, “I Can’t Even Cry”
Blackstreet ft. Dr. Dre and Queen Pen, “No Diggity”
ENNY, “Charge It”
Carminho, “O Quarto (Soundtrack Version)”
Calimossa, “What’s in the Tea?”
Hubert Sumlin and Keith Richards, “I Love the Life I Live, I Live the Life I Love”
PJ Morton ft. JoJo, “Say So”
Cleo Sol, “Why Don’t You”
The Miracles, “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”
H.E.R., “Process”
2Pac ft. K-Ci & JoJo, “How Do U Want It”
Sting, “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free”
Lucinda Williams, “Unsuffer Me”
Jill Scott, “Golden”
The Rolling Stones, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”
Saweetie, “My Best”
Charles Mingus, “Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting”
Norah Jones, “Come Away With Me”
Common, “The People”
Etta James, “Don’t Cry Baby”
Chris Jedi, Gaby Music & Dei V ft. Anuel AA and Ozuna, “Bad Boy”
Rema, “Yayo”
Bonny Light Horseman, “Old Dutch”
Willow, “Symptom of Life”
Moneybgg Yo ft. Morgan Wallen, “Whiskey Whiskey”
Myles Smith, “Stargazing”
GloRilla & Megan Thee Stallion, “Wanna Be”
Tyla, Gunna and Skillibeng, “Jump”
Bad Bunny & Feid, “Perro Negro”
Paul Russell, “Lil Boo Thang”
Digable Planets, “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)”
Bob Marley & the Wailers, “Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)”
Nick Drake, “One of These Things First”
Bob Dylan, “Silvio”
Pharoah Sanders, “Love Is Everywhere”
The Supremes, “Where Did Our Love Go”
Beyoncé, “Texas Hold ‘Em”
Samara Joy ft. Pasquale Grasso, “Someone to Watch Over Me”
