Barack Obama has spoken on his faves for 2018.
Number 44 posted his favorite songs, movies and books of the year via all of his social media accounts on Friday morning.
Let’s break it down by category.
Songs
I request we take a moment to appreciate that Barack Obama appreciates “Apeshit” by the Carters. We already know Barack’s affinity for Jay-Z and Michelle’s for Beyoncé, so imagine the most powerful couple in the country going HAM to a song by the other most powerful couple in the country. Wow.
Cardi B likes it like that. So does Barack. He chose Cardi’s “I Like It,” featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin.
Barack also loves him some Janelle Monáe, BJ the Chicago Kid, J. Cole, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Khalid, and Normani. He also listed The Great American Songbook to honor the late, great Nancy Wilson like the thoughtful OG he is.
Much like anyone who would be blessed to have the honor of appearing on an acclaimed list—not to mention a list by someone on Obama’s level—H.E.R. expressed her excitement and honor on Twitter:
She’s having a dope ass year.
Movies
The former commander-in-chief has commanded the black ass bandwagon and declared Black Panther one of his favorite films of the year, too!
Barry O is a fan of Barry J, naming If Beale Street Could Talk one of his favorite films of 2018.
He also seemed to be a fan of Regina Hall in Support The Girls and gave some props to the Spike Lee joint, BlacKkKlansman. I’m sure Daveed Diggs would be happy to know he gave some indie love to Blindspotting.
Books
Of course, the former (or forever) president stanned for his wife and record-breaking bestseller, Michelle Obama for her popular memoir, Becoming. Barack said what we all were thinking when he added the parenthetical, “obviously my favorite!” Yes, obviously. Naturally.
Barack also dug An American Marriage by Tayari Jones and Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, each of which has received massive buzz this year.
Naturally, he honored Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom, a meaningful addition given the 100th anniversary of the late South African activist’s birthdate this year.
Per usual, this just added to my prodigious to-read list, which keeps growing and growing like a pubescent Energizer bunny.