Barack Obama published his annual best list of his favorite songs, films and books for 2024 on his social media accounts on Friday evening (December 20th).
“Here are my favorite songs from this year! Check them out if you want to spice up your playlist – and let me know if there’s a song or artist I should definitely check out,” the former US president wrote in his post with a selection of 25 tracks.
Mainstream, but without Taylor Swift
Kendrick Lamar’s “Squabble Up” is prominently featured. Also in the upper ranks of the unnumbered list: Asaka & Travis Scott’s “Active” and “Peaceful Place” by Leon Bridges. Also included: “Lunch” by Billie Eilish, Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” by Karol G. Not there, however: Taylor Swift.
Many of these songs have not only thrilled the 63-year-old this year. Some are also at the top of the charts such as the “Billboard Hot 100”: “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey (number 2 on the Hot 100), ‘Million Dollar Baby’ by Richman (number 8) and ‘Too Sweet ‘ by Hozier (10th place).
The complete list:
- Kendrick Lamar – “Squabble Up”
- Asake & Travis Scott – “Active”
- Leon Bridges – “Peaceful Place”
- Billie Eilish – “Lunch”
- Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
- Tommy Richman – “Million Dollar Baby”
- Rema – “Yayo”
- Bonny Light Horseman – “Old Dutch”
- Waxhatchee & MJ Lenderman – “Right Back To It”
- Tyla, Gunna & Skillibeng – “Jump”
- Rae Khalil – “Is It Worth It”
- Myles Smith – “Stargazing”
- Central Cee & Lil Baby – “Band4Band”
- Beyoncé – “Texas Hold ‘Em”
- Jack White – “That’s How I’m Feeling”
- Ezra Collective & Yazmin Lacey – “God Gave Me Feet For Dancing”
- Jordan Adetunji – “Kehlani”
- Moses Sumney – “Gold Coast”
- The Red Clay Strays – “Ramblin’”
- Artemas – “I Like The Way You Kiss Me”
- Karol G – “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”
- Fontaines DC – “Favourite”
- Johnny Blue Skies – “Scooter Blues”
- FloyyMenor & Cris MJ – “Gata Only”
- Hozier “Two Sweet”
Obama: A Pop Culture Connoisseur
The Hawaii-born politician also sorted the best films and books for his followers. However, he reduced his favorite films in 2024 to a short list of ten productions, including “All We Imagine as Light”, “Konklave”, “The Piano Lesson” and “A Complete Unknown” – the Bob Dylan biopic that is only being released in this country will be released in cinemas in February. His favorite books included “Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney and the biography “Patriot” by the late Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny.
Barack Obama has been publishing his annual best lists since his first term as the 44th President of the USA in 2009. He had already relied heavily on music as a political instrument in the 2008 presidential campaign. Numerous musical events and publications accompanied his election campaign in the so-called “Celebrity Rock Plan”. He also repeatedly held concerts in the White House until 2017. The former head of state invited numerous superstars to these, including Paul McCartney, Herbie Hancock, Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan and many others. In 2021 he published the book “Renegades” together with podcast partner Bruce Springsteen.