Former U.S. President Barack Obama has once again shared his highly anticipated annual playlist, and two Nigerian stars, Rema and Asake, have earned spots on the prestigious list.
The 24-song playlist, unveiled via Obama’s X (formerly Twitter) account, showcases tracks that captivated the former president this year. Encouraging music lovers to dive into his selections, Obama wrote,
“Here are my favourite songs from this year! Check them out if you’re looking to shake up your playlist – and let me know if there’s a song or artist I should make sure to listen to.”
Representing Nigeria, Rema’s ‘Yayo’ and Asake’s ‘Active’ featuring Travis Scott were among the standout tracks. Notably, Rema’s ‘Yayo’ also made his summer playlist earlier this year, further cementing its global appeal.
Obama’s playlist spans various genres and artists, including ‘Jump’ by Tyla, amongst other standout tracks. The eclectic mix reflects the former president’s broad musical taste, which continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
This tradition began during his presidency when he collaborated with Spotify to curate and share his favorite tracks. Over the years, Nigerian artists have consistently featured on his playlists.
In 2019, Burna Boy and Rema were included in Obama’s year-end playlist, while Wizkid and Tems made waves in 2020 with their hit ‘Essence.’ After a Nigerian absence in 2021, Burna Boy’s ‘Last Last’ and Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ marked a return in 2022. Last year, hits from Davido, Tems, Burna Boy, and Asake dominated the list.
