The former President of the United States of America, Barack Obama is a world famous unapologetic fan of music- particularly new music from African artists. Though he is famous first as a politician, he’s also a very influential person in pop culture. His summer playlist always receives media attention and this year is particularly interesting because he made his pick in the mother of hip-hop diss track battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar (or shall we say Drake against the world?). In wrapping up this year, let’s look at the African artists with songs on Obama’s 2024 playlist.
Yayo by Rema
Imagine this sound from Nigeria’s Rema on Obama’s earphones, with the ex-President clad in white long sleeved shirt rolled-up and matched with his characteristic steeze. Yayo is a relentless club banger but Ozeba seemed to have drowned it with heavy streams and vitality on tiktok and stuff.
Jump by Tyla, Gunna, Skillibeng
Apparently, Obama is not one of those hating on Tyla. Since this pretty girl from Jo’burg won the Grammy award, she was cyber-bullied by Nigerians for taking an award that one of their faves should have. But the hate travelled from being just another Nigerian rant to Hollywood’s diabolical love bombing. Her first taste of Guinea pig treatment was the MET gala dress made of sand which came off- definitely a drip too hard. Her confidence and determination to milk her fame constitute her staying power. With this collaborative track, she has scored a position in the American music scene and made quite an impression on the former POTUS.
A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey
Shaboozey’s music is a blend of hip-hop, country, rock, and Americana.This song appeals to the after-work beer culture and that’s pretty much the story told in the lyrics. Inspired by J-Kwon’s wildly popular party song “Tipsy” from 2004 on his debut album Hood Hop, Shaboozey born Collins Obinna Chibueze has helped to reclaim country music as a part of African music aesthetics following the backlash received by Beyonce and Lil Nas X for attempting to decolonise the music genre.
Active by Asake feat. Travis Scott
This track is what you get when music goes street-for-street. Nigerian street hop sensation Asake, known for his energetic performances and catchy tunes, stepped up with an international collaboration with American rapper, Travis Scott in “Active.” The latter is one of the artists that’s been a huge fan of Nigerian music. He was captured vibing to Shallipopi’s E Don Cast once online and that’s how we know he’s definitely Afrobeats fein!
Kehlani by Jordan Adetunji
“Kehlani” by British rapper and singer Jordan Adetunji, was named after the American singer Kehlani. The song went viral on Tiktok making it the artist’s breakthrough song.The lyrics accentuate strength, beauty, and independence. It’s a modern female empowerment kind of song from Adetunji who is of Nigerian roots.
