African stars make Barack Obama’s 2024 summer playlist

The selection, part of a tradition dating back to August 2015, when Obama was still US president, comprises 44 songs and spans genres and generations. 

“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,” Obama said. “I hope you find something new to listen to!”

Nigerian singer Tems’ hit single ‘Love Me Jeje’ from her debut album Born In The Wild made Obama’s latest summer playlist, continuing her streak after ‘Vibe Out’ in 2022 and ‘Me & U’ in 2023. Fellow Nigerian act Rema’s ‘Yayo’ from his new LP, HEIS, also made the list, following his 2019 inclusion with ‘Iron Man’.

South African Grammy winner Tyla, known for ‘Water,’ is featured with ‘Jump’, her collaboration with Gunna and Skillibeng, which is taken from her eponymous 2024 debut LP. 

Obama’s 2023 summer playlist includes Burna Boy’s ‘Sittin’ on Top of the World’, Asake and Olamide’s ‘Amapiano’, Davido and Musa Keys ‘Unavailable’, and Tems’ ‘Me & U’. 

Other songs on the new playlist include Nigerian-American country singer Shaboozy with ‘A Bar Song’, US pop acts Beyoncé and H.E.R. with ‘Texas Hold ‘em’ and ‘Process’, respectively. There’s also Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny and Colombian singer Feid’s ‘Perro Negro’, among others.

Below is Barack Obama’s full 2024 summer playlist:

1. Shaboozey: 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)'
2. Charli XCX: '365'
3. Billie Eilish: 'Chihiro'
4. Tems: 'Love Me Jeje'
5. Artemas: 'I Like the Way You Kiss Me'
6. Tommy Richman: 'Million Dollar Baby'
7. Hope Tala: 'I Can’t Even Cry'
8. Blackstreet: 'No Diggity' [ft. Dr. Dre and Queen Pen]
9. Enny: 'Charge It'
10. Carminho: 'O Quarto (Soundtrack Version)'
11. Calimossa: 'What’s in the Tea?'
12. Hubert Sumlin & Keith Richards: 'I Love the Life I Live, I Live the Life I Love'
13. PJ Morton: 'Say So' [ft. Jojo]
14. Cleo Sol: 'Why Don’t You'
15. The Miracles: 'You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me'
16. H.E.R.: 'Process'
17. 2Pac: 'How Do U Want It' [ft. K-Ci and Jojo]
18. Sting: 'If You Love Somebody Set Them Free'
19. Lucinda Williams: 'Unsuffer Me'
20. Jill Scott: 'Golden'
21. The Rolling Stones: '(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction'
22. Saweetie: 'My Best'
23. Charles Mingus: 'Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting'
24. Norah Jones: 'Come Away With Me'
25. Common: 'The People'
26. Etta James: 'Don’t Cry Baby'
27. Chris Jedi, Gaby Music, & Dei V: 'Bad Boy' [ft. Anuel AA and Ozuna]
28. Rema: 'Yayo'
29. Bonny Light Horseman: 'Old Dutch'
30. Willow: 'Symptom of Life'
31. Moneybagg Yo: 'Whiskey Whiskey' [ft. Morgan Wallen]
32. Myles Smith: 'Stargazing'
33. GloRilla & Megan Thee Stallion: 'Wanna Be'
34. Tyla, Gunna, & Skillibeng: 'Jump'
35. Bad Bunny & Feid: 'Perro Negro'
36. Paul Russell: 'Lil Boo Thang'
37. Digable Planets: 'Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)'
38. Bob Marley & the Wailers: 'Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)'
39. Nick Drake: 'One of These Things First'
40. Bob Dylan: 'Silvio'
41. Pharoah Sanders: 'Love Is Everywhere'
42. The Supremes: 'Where Did Our Love Go'
43. Beyoncé: 'Texas Hold ‘Em'
44. Samara Joy: 'Someone to Watch Over Me' [ft. Pasquale Grasso]