Former U.S. President Barack Obama continues his tradition of sharing his annual summer playlist. This year, artists like Tyla from South Africa, along with Nigeria’s Rema and Tems, have made it to the lineup.
One of the featured tracks is Rema’s “Yayo” from his innovative album, HEIS. Rema mentioned that the success of Afrobeats is reshaping how the sound is perceived globally, emphasizing the importance of listening to one’s own voice and energy.
Tyla’s song “Jump,” featuring Gunna and Skillibeng, is also part of Obama’s playlist. Tyla delivered a mesmerizing performance of “Jump” at the 2024 BET Awards. Tems’ soulful single “Love Me Jeje,” released to critical acclaim in April, was added to Obama’s playlist after her debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in May.
Shaboozey’s lively track “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” secured a spot on the playlist as well. The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, amassed nearly 800 million streams on Spotify and YouTube Music, and garnered praise from Billboard, positioning Shaboozey as a rising star in the country music scene.
Obama’s playlists over the years have highlighted a diverse array of African artists, including Shatta Wale, Pheelz, and Sampa the Great. Ayra Starr left a mark with “Sability” in 2023 and “Rush” in Obama’s Favorite Music of 2022, alongside Rema’s “Calm Down.” Burna Boy’s “Last Last” and Tems’ “Vibes Out” were also featured in Obama’s summer 2022 playlist.
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