As is tradition, President Barack Obama has unveiled his summer playlist , and in typical form, his selections run the gamut. From viral stars like Tommy Richman and Paul Russell to establishment artists including Bob Dylan and Rolling Stones, the playlist gives a wide breadth of genre and scope, something that we’ve come to expect from the former President year after year. Released in tandem with his summer reading list, the summer playlist is a hodgepodge of what’s hot right now and what was hot back then, from neo-soul to classic rock.
If there was any doubt, then yes, much like Vice President Kamala Harris he’s having a brat summer with the inclusion of Charli XCX’s “365.” Elsewhere, he’s kickin’ up dust with country anthems from Beyoncé (“Texas Hold ‘Em”) and Shaboozey (“A Bar Song (Tipsy)”). But then there’s a spate of classics, however you define those, from Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” and Digable Planets’ “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” to the Supremes’ “Where Did Our Love Go” and Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.
” He includes a few Afrobeats surprises — Rema’s “Yayo,” Tems’ “Love Me Jeje” and Tyla’s “Jump” featuring Gunna and Skillibeng — plus a few curveballs (Bonny Light Horseman’s “Old Dutch,” for one.) “With summer winding down, I wanted to share some songs that I’ve been listening to lately – and it wouldn’t be my playlist if it didn’t include an eclecti.