A former President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, has once again drawn attention to the expanding global influence of Afrobeats through the publication of his annual cultural recommendations.
In his list of favorite songs for the year 2025, Mr Obama included musical works by Nigerian recording artistes Olamide Adedeji, professionally known as Olamide, and Damini Ogulu, known as Burna Boy.
The former president disclosed the list via his verified social media platforms on Thursday evening, stating that the release formed part of a longstanding tradition initiated during his tenure in office, pursuant to which he annually shares his preferred books, films, and music.
In his accompanying statement, Mr Obama noted that the tradition was intended to mark the conclusion of the year and to encourage public engagement through the discovery and exchange of cultural recommendations.
The 2025 music selection comprises 30 tracks across a broad spectrum of genres, including pop, hip-hop, indie, and world music. Among the listed works are Burna Boy’s “TaTaTa,” featuring American rapper Travis Scott, and Olamide’s “99,” which features Asake, Seyi Vibez, Young Jonn, and British singer Daecolm.
Mr Obama’s inclusion of Nigerian artistes prompted widespread reactions on social media platforms and further underscored the sustained international prominence of Afrobeats. This follows a similar acknowledgment in his 2024 playlist, which featured Rema’s “Yayo” and Asake’s collaboration with Travis Scott, “Active.”
“TaTaTa,” released on May 21, 2025, through Atlantic Records, constitutes the fourth single from Burna Boy’s eighth studio album, No Sign of Weakness, which was released on July 10. The track combines Burna Boy’s Afro-fusion sound with elements of trap music associated with Travis Scott.
Similarly, “99” is a collaborative release issued in June 2025 and serves as a prominent single from Olamide’s eleventh studio album, Olamidé. The song thematically addresses wealth, leisure, and celebratory living.
In addition to the aforementioned artistes, Mr Obama’s list also features “Not In Surrender” by Nigerian-born, London-based singer Steven Umoh, professionally known as Obongjayar.
The playlist further includes works by a range of international artistes, including Olivia Dean, Kendrick Lamar and SZA, BLACKPINK, Bruce Springsteen, Ganavya, Lil Naay and Myke Towers, Rosalía, The Beths, Lady Gaga, Gunna, Chappell Roan, Mora and De La Rose, Laufey, Chance the Rapper and Jamila Woods, Jason Isbell, Stacey Kent, Kacy Hill, ROE, Everything Is Recorded featuring Sampha and Florence Welch, Victoria Noelle, I’m With Her, Jombriel, DFZM and Jetta, Jay Som featuring Jim Adkins, Alex Warren, Khamari, Drake, and Xavi with Manuel Turizo.
Beyond music, Mr Obama also released his selections for films and books for the year 2025. His list of preferred films includes One Battle After Another, Sinners, It Was Just an Accident, Hamnet, Sentimental Value, No Other Choice, The Secret Agent, Train Dreams, Jay Kelly, Good Fortune, and Orwell: 2+2=5.
His recommended books for the year comprise Paper Girl by Beth Macy, Flashlight by Susan Choi, We the People by Jill Lepore, The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy, There Is No Place for Us by Brian Goldstone, North Sun by Ethan Rutherford, 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai, Dead and Alive by Zadie Smith, What We Can Know by Ian McEwan, and The Look by Michelle Obama.#newsafro_
