Former United States President Barack Obama has once again highlighted the growing global influence of Afrobeats in his much-anticipated end-of-year cultural list.
In his 2025 favourite songs selection, Obama featured tracks by Nigerian music stars Olamide Adedeji, popularly known as Olamide Baddo, and Damini Ogulu, widely known as Burna Boy.
Obama shared the playlist on his social media platforms on Thursday evening, explaining that he was continuing a tradition he began while in office of releasing his favourite books, films and music annually.
“As 2025 comes to a close, I’m continuing a tradition that I started during my time in the White House: sharing my annual lists of favourite books, movies, and music.
“I hope you find something new to enjoy — and please send any recommendations for me to check out!” he wrote.
The 2025 music list comprises 30 songs spanning pop, hip-hop, indie, and world music.
Among the standout selections are Burna Boy’s “TaTaTa”, featuring American rapper Travis Scott, and Olamide’s “99”, a collaboration with Asake, Seyi Vibez, Young Jonn and British singer Daecolm.
Obama’s recognition of Nigerian artistes generated excitement across social media and further underlined Afrobeats’ expanding international appeal.
The former president had similarly acknowledged Nigerian musicians in his 2024 playlist, which featured Rema’s “Yayo” and Asake’s collaboration with Travis Scott, “Active”.
Released on May 21, 2025, via Atlantic Records, “TaTaTa” is the fourth single from Burna Boy’s eighth studio album, No Sign of Weakness, which dropped on July 10. The song fuses Burna Boy’s Afro-fusion sound with Travis Scott’s trap-style delivery.
Meanwhile, “99”, released in June 2025, is a major single from Olamide’s self-titled eleventh studio album, Olamidé. The track revolves around themes of wealth, enjoyment and carefree living.
FULL LIST: Obama’s 2025 Favourite Songs
Beyond Olamide and Burna Boy, Obama also selected “Not In Surrender” by Nigerian London-based singer Steven Umoh, professionally known as Obongjayar.
Other songs on the list include “Nice To Each Other” by Olivia Dean; “Luther” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA; “Jump” by BLACKPINK; “Faithless” by Bruce Springsteen; “Pasayadan” by Ganavya; “Pending” by Lil Naay and Myke Towers; “Sexo, Violencia y Llantas” by Rosalía; “Metal” by The Beths; “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga; “Just Say Dat” by Gunna; and “The Giver” by Chappell Roan.
Also featured are “Aurora” by Mora and De La Rose; “Silver Lining” by Laufey; “No More Old Men” by Chance the Rapper and Jamila Woods; “Bury Me” by Jason Isbell; “I Wish I Could Go Travelling Again” by Stacey Kent; “Please Don’t Cry” by Kacy Hill; “Stay” by ROE; “Never Felt Better” by Everything Is Recorded featuring Sampha and Florence Welch; and “In the Name of Love” by Victoria Noelle.
Additional entries include “Ancient Light” by I’m With Her; “Vitamina” by Jombriel, DFZM and Jetta; “Float” by Jay Som featuring Jim Adkins; “Ordinary” by Alex Warren; “Sycamore Tree” by Khamari; “Nokia” by Drake; and “En Privado” by Xavi and Manuel Turizo.
Movies
Obama’s favourite films of 2025 include 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.
Books
His top books for the year are Paper Girl by Beth Macy, Flashlight by Susan Choi, We the People by Jill Lepore, The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy, and There Is No Place for Us by Brian Goldstone.
Other titles include 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.
