Former President Barack Obama has released a playlist of his favorite songs to listen to in the summer of 2024. Among them are Charlie XCX’s fast-paced brat anthem “365” (even Obama can’t resist brat summer), Tommy Richman’s breakout single “Million Dollar Baby,” 2Pac’s “How Do You Want It,” and Nick Drake’s “One of These Things First.” Obama also chose songs from Billie Eilish, Shaboozie, Thames, Bonnie Light Horseman, Beyoncé, Pharaoh Sanders, Bad Bunny, Samara Joy, Charles Mingus, and more. See the full playlist below.
“As summer draws to a close, I thought I’d share some of the songs I’ve been listening to lately. My playlist wouldn’t be complete without a diverse mix,” Obama wrote of his selections. “I hope you all find something new to listen to!”
This is part of a long-standing tradition in which Obama introduces lists of his favorite books, music and movies twice a year. The top songs for 2023 include songs by Big Thief, Mitski, Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion, while previous years saw SZA, Rosalia, Maggie Rogers and Kendrick Lamar take home those honors.
In an interview with Hasan Minhaj last year, Obama reiterated that he personally chooses the songs that go on his playlist. “People seem to think, ‘This latest song must have been made by a 20-year-old intern,'” Obama said. “No! It’s on my iPad right now!”
Revisit our 2016 feature, “The Presidential Suite: A Look Back at President Obama’s Musical Milestones.”
Barack Obama’s Summer 2024 Playlist:
Shabuzzi: “Ba Song (Thipsy)”
Charlie XCX: “365”
Billie Eilish: “Chihiro”
Theme: “Love Me Jeje”
Artemus: “I love the way you kiss.”
Tommy Richman: “Million Dollar Baby”
Hope Tara: “I can’t even cry”
Blackstreet: “No Diggity” (featuring Dr. Dre and Queen Penn)
Any: “Charge it”
Carminho: “O Cuarto (Soundtrack Version)”
Calimosa: “What’s in your tea?”
Hubert Sumlin & Keith Richards: “I love the life I live, I live the life I love”
PJ Morton: “Say So” (ft. JoJo)
Cleo Sol: “Why Don’t You”
The Miracles: “You’ve really got me”
Her: “The process.”
2Pac: “How Do U Want It” (ft. K-Ci and Jojo)
Sting: “If you love someone, set them free”
Lucinda Williams: “Unsurfer Me”
Jill Scott: “Golden”
The Rolling Stones: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”
Saweetie: “My bestie”
Charles Mingus: “Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting”
Norah Jones: “Come Away With Me”
Common: “People”
Etta James: “Don’t Cry Baby”
Chris Jedi, Gaby Music, Day V: “Bad Boy” (featuring Anuel AA and Ozuna)
Rema: “Yo.”
Bonnie Light Horseman: “Old Dutch”
Willow: “Signs of Life”
Moneybagg Yo: “Whiskey Whiskey” (ft. Morgan Wallen)
Miles Smith: “Stargazing”
Glorilla & Megan Thee Stallion: “Wanna Be”
Tyra, Gunna, and Skilliven: “Jump”
Bad Bunny & Fayed: “Pero Negro”
Paul Russell: “Lil’ Boo Thung”
Digable Planet: “Slick’s Return (Cool Like Dat)”
Bob Marley & The Wailers: “Them Berry Full (But We Hungry)”
Nick Drake: “Let’s start with this.”
Bob Dylan: “Silvio”
Pharoah Sanders: “Love is Everywhere”
The Supremes: “Where Did Our Love Go”
Beyoncé: “Texas Hold ’em”
Samara Joy: “Someone to Watch Over Me” (ft. Pasquale Grasso)