Forever POTUS Barack Obama released his highly anticipated summer playlist on Monday (August 12) and of course it contained massive hits. From Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em’” to Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)“ to Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby,” Obama’s taste was once again carefully curated to reflect the musical zeitgeist.
In addition, it also contained a handful of throwbacks. “How Do U Want It” by 2Pac feat. K-CI & Jojo was a welcome surprise, as was “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” by Digable Planets. Obama also had some classics on there, ranging from The Miracles’ “You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me” to “Where Did Our Love Go” by The Supremes.
However, two artists who had big years were noticeably absent: Kendrick Lamar and Drake. The two rap titans beefed earlier this year, with Kendrick being the clear winner in the feud. The biggest song from their rivalry was undoubtedly Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which was released in May and became his first number one on the Billboard Global 200 chart.
Others praised Obama’s song selection, with one X user stating: “the way beyoncé has never missed this list.” For some reason, controversial pundit Jason Whitlock took the opportunity to share this thoughts on the playlist.
Whitlock replied to Obama’s post by stating: “What 60-year-old-plus, married man would publicize that he listens to GloRilla and Megan thee Horse? Serious question. It’s profane and degenerate.”
However, the Blaze Media has made an entire career of being an ignorant hater so his commentary is par for the course. Afrobeats artists Rema and Tems also made appearances on the coveted list, showing that Obama will always have 1) taste and 2) the range.
Here is the playlist in its entirety:
- “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey
- “365” by Charli XCX
- “Chihiro” by Billie Eilish
- “Love Me Jeje” by Tems
- “I Like the Way You Kiss Me” by Artemas
- “Million Dollar Baby” by Tommy Richman
- “I Can’t Even Cry” by Hope Tala
- “No Diggity” by Blackstreet ft. Dr. Dre and Queen Pen
- “Charge It” by Enny
- “O Quarto (Soundtrack Version)” by Carminho
- “What’s in the Tea?” by Calimossa
- “I Love the Life I Live, I Live the Life I Love” by Hubert Sumlin and Keith Richards
- “Say So” by PJ Morton ft. JoJo
- “Why Don’t You” by Cleo Sol
- “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” by The Miracles
- “Process” by H.E.R.
- “How Do U Want It” by 2Pac ft. K-Ci & JoJo
- “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” by Sting
- “Unsuffer Me” by Lucinda Williams
- “Golden” by Jill Scott
- “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones
- “My Best” by Saweetie
- “Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting” by Charles Mingus
- “Come Away with Me” by Norah Jones
- “The People” by Common
- “Don’t Cry Baby” by Etta James
- “Bad Boy” by Chris Jedi, Gaby Music & Dei V ft. Anuel AA and Ozuna
- “Yayo” by Rema
- “Old Dutch” by Bonny Light Horseman
- “Symptom of Life” by Willow
- “Whiskey Whiskey” by Moneybagg Yo ft. Morgan Wallen
- “Stargazing” by Myles Smith
- “Wanna Be” by GloRilla & Megan Thee Stallion
- “Jump” by Tyla, Gunna and Skillibeng
- “Perro Negro” by Bad Bunny & Feid
- “Lil Boo Thang” by Paul Russell
- “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” by Digable Planets
- “Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)” by Bob Marley & the Wailers
- “One of These Things First” by Nick Drake
- “Silvio” by Bob Dylan
- “Love Is Everywhere” by Pharoah Sanders
- “Where Did Our Love Go” by The Supremes
- “Texas Hold ‘Em” by Beyoncé
- “Someone to Watch Over Me” by Samara Joy ft. Pasquale Grasso