Former US President Barack Obama has shared his 42-song summer playlist for 2023, featuring a diverse mix of old and new artists from different genres. Among the songs that made the cut is ‘Sability’ by Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, who expressed her gratitude on social media.
This is not the first time that Ayra Starr will feature in the former president’s playlist. Rememer that Ayra also made the playlist last year, which shows how much Barack loves listening to her music. And in case you are thinking that Barack Obama does not really listen to or select the songs in his playlist, a journalist actually asked him about this and he said that he actually listens to these songs and no one picks them for him.
As she had recently revealed, before Ayra made the list last year, she had prayed for it and had faith that her song would make it to Barack Obama’s music playlist, and when the list dropped, she was overjoyed. Ayra Starr was delighted by the recognition from the former president. Her joy will become even more when she discovers that she has made the list again this year.
Ayra Starr is not the only Nigerian artist on Obama’s playlist. He also included ‘Sittin’ on Top of the World’ by Burna Boy featuring 21 Savage. Other artists on the playlist include JHus, SZA, Boygenius, Janelle Monáe, Bob Dylan, Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj, Aretha Franklin, Jorja Smith, Kelela, Leonard Cohen, and more. More than 10 African artists have appeared in one of the lists till date.
Obama has been sharing his musical preferences for years, even when he was in the White House. He has also released playlists for workouts and holidays, as well as his favorite books and movies. His summer playlist reflects his eclectic taste and appreciation for different cultures and sounds.
You can watch Ayra Starr’s official music video for ‘Sability’ here:
You can listen to Obama’s full summer playlist here
Barack Obama’s Summer 2023 Playlist
J Hus and Drake: “Who Told You”
SZA: “Snooze”
Pretenders: “I’ll Stand By You”
Rosalía & Rauw Alejandro: “Vampiros”
Luke Combs: “Fast Car”
Tupac, Roger, & Dr. Dre: “California Love”
Leonard Cohen: “Dance Me to the End of Love (Live)”
Martha Reeves & the Vandellas: “Nowhere to Run”
Nobigdyl.: “Parabolic!”
Jorja Smith: “Try Me”
Burna Boy, 21 Savage: “Sittin’ on Top of the World”
Janet Jackson: “Got ’Til It’s Gone”
La Doña: “Penas con Pan”
The Bangles: “Walk Like an Egyptian”
The Beths: “Watching the Credits”
The War and Treaty: “That’s How Love Is Made”
The Rolling Stones: “Soul Survivor”
Aretha Franklin: “Dr. Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business)”
John Coltrane: “Blue Train”
Ice Spice, Nicki Minaj: “Princess Diana”
Toots and the Maytals: “Funky Kingston”
The Righteous Brothers: “Unchained Melody”
Golden Lady: “Stevie Wonder”
Jackson Browne: “Doctor My Eyes”
Ayra Starr: “Sability”
Boygenius: “Not Strong Enough”
Otis Redding: “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay”
Bob Dylan: “Everything Is Broken”
Ella Fitzgerald: “Cry Me a River”
Yng Lvcas & Peso Pluma: “LA Bebe (Remix”
Money Man & Babyface Ray: “Drums”
Nas: “The World Is Yours”
Four Tops: “Reach Out I’ll Be There”
Pearl Jam: “Just Breathe”
J’calm: “Tempted”
Kelela: “Contact”
Marvin Gaye: “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)”
Ike & Tina Turner: “River Deep/Moutain High”
Janelle Monáe: “Only Have Eyes 42”
Ashley McBride: “The Devil I Know”
Michael Kiwanuka: “Love & Hate”