African musicians make Barack Obama’s 2022 summer playlist

The selection, shared by Obama on 26 July, features songs by Nigeria’s Burna Boy and Tems as well as Zambia’s Sampa the Great.

The annual list is a ritual that commenced during Obama’s time in the White House. This year’s compilation of 44 tracks follows the release of his summer reading list comprising his favourite books published since the beginning of the year.

“Every year, I get excited to share my summer playlist because I learn about so many new artists from your replies – it’s an example of how music really can bring us all together,” Obama said. “What songs would you add?”

The 2022 playlist straddles different music eras and genres, including R&B, soul, pop, hip hop and Afrobeats.

Burna Boy’s heartbreak anthem ‘Last Last’, released ahead of his latest album Love, Damini, was selected alongside fellow Nigerian Tems’ ‘Vibe Out’ off her 2021 EP If Orange Was a Place. Burna Boy, Tems and fellow Nigerian Afrobeats star Wizkid made it on Obama’s list in 2020. 

Pheelz’s runaway hit ‘Finesse’ featuring BNXN also makes Obama’s latest playlist, as does Sampa the Great’s 2018 track ‘Energy’ featuring Sierra Leonean artist, musician and poet Nadeem Din-Gabisi. Two years ago, Sampa the Great’s ‘Freedom’ was named in Vol 1: The Michelle Obama Playlist in celebration of the former US first lady’s podcast, which was released on Spotify.

Other Barack Obama favourites this year include songs by Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Miles Davis, Beyoncé and Bad Bunny.