Burna Boy And Ayra Starr Make Obama’s Annual Summer Playlist

Every year, President Obama, former president of the United States, shares his summer playlist comprised of songs he listens to during the summer – a tradition he has carried on since his days in the White House.

“Like I do every year, here are some songs I’ve been listening to this summer,” Obama wrote on Twitter on Thursday, adding that his playlist is “a mix of old and new.”

Obama revealed his summer playlist for 2023 on July 20th, and Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy’s most recent release, “Sittin’ On Top Of The World,” made the cut.

Burna Boy isn’t the only Nigerian artist on the list; Ayra Starr’s ‘Sability’ is also included.

They are included on the playlist, which includes both classic and contemporary songs, along with other worldwide superstars Jorja Smith, SZA, J Hus, Drake, Nas, and Rosalia.

Obama’s summer playlist has previously included songs by Burna Boy, with 2022’s “Last Last” making the cut. Rush by Ayra Starr was included in Obama’s 2022 end-of-year playlist.

Wizkid, Rema, and Tems are further Nigerians who have songs in Obama’s playlists.

These 41 songs make up Obama’s summer 2023 playlist:

• “Who Told You,” J Hus feat. Drake
• “Snooze,” SZA
• “I’ll Stand By You,” The Pretenders
• “Vampiros,” Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro
• “Fast Car,” Luke Combs
• “California Love,” 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman
• “Dance Me To The End Of Love (Live), Leonard Cohen
• “Nowhere To Run,” Martha Reeves and The Vandellas
• “Parabolic!” nobigdyl
• “Try Me,” Jorja Smith
• “Sittin’ On Top Of The World,” Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage
• “Got ‘Til It’s Gone,” Janet Jackson, Joni Mitchell, and Q-Tip
• “Penas con Pan,” La Doña
• “Walk Like An Egyptian,” The Bangles
• “Watching The Credits,” The Beths
• “Ain’t No Harmin’ Me,” The War and Treaty
• “Soul Survivor,” The Rolling Stones
• “Dr. Feelgood (Love Is A Serious Business),” Aretha Franklin
• “Blue Train,” John Coltrane
• “Princess Diana,” Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj
• “Funky Kingston,” Toots and The Maytals
• “Unchained Melody,” The Righteous Brothers
• “Golden Lady,” Stevie Wonder
• “Doctor My Eyes,” Jackson Browne
• “Sability,” Ayra Starr
• “Not Strong Enough,” boygenius
• “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of the Bay,” Otis Redding
• “Everything Is Broken,” Bob Dylan
• “Cry Me A River,” Ella Fitzgerald
• “La Bebe (Remix),” Yng Lvcas and Peso Pluma
• “Drums,” Money Man and Babyface Ray
• “The World Is Yours,” Nas
• “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” Four Tops
• “Just Breathe,” Pearl Jam
• “Tempted,” J’calm
• “Contact,” Kelela
• “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler),” Marvin Gaye
• “River Deep – Mountain High,” Ike and Tina Turner
• “Only Have Eyes 42,” Janelle Monáe
• “The Devil I Know,” Ashley McBryde
• “Love & Hate,” Michael Kiwanuka