Former United States President Barack Obama has once again drawn global attention to Afrobeats by including songs by Nigerian superstars Burna Boy and Olamide in his highly anticipated 2025 year-end music recommendations, reinforcing the genre’s growing international influence. The inclusion places Nigerian music alongside some of the world’s most prominent pop, hip-hop and alternative acts, continuing a trend that has seen Afrobeats gain sustained recognition on global cultural platforms.
Obama announced the release of his annual list in a post shared on his social media accounts on Thursday evening, noting that he was maintaining a tradition he began during his time in the White House. He said the yearly recommendations were meant to share cultural works he enjoyed over the past year and to encourage audiences to explore new books, films and music across different genres.
According to the post, the 2025 playlist features 30 songs spanning pop, hip-hop, indie and world music, reflecting a broad range of global sounds. Among the selections were Burna Boy’s “TaTaTa,” featuring American rapper Travis Scott, and “99” by Nigerian rapper Olamide, a collaborative track that also features Asake, Seyi Vibez, Young Jonn and British singer Daecolm.
Burna Boy’s “TaTaTa” was released on May 21, 2025, through Atlantic Records and serves as the fourth single from his eighth studio album, No Sign of Weakness, which was released on July 10. The track blends Burna Boy’s signature Afro-fusion sound with Travis Scott’s trap-influenced style, highlighting a cross-continental collaboration that reflects Afrobeats’ increasing global reach.
Olamide’s “99,” released in June 2025, is a key single from his self-titled eleventh studio album, Olamidé. The song brings together multiple prominent voices from Nigeria’s contemporary music scene and centres on themes of success, enjoyment and carefree living, elements that have helped it gain popularity both locally and internationally.
Obama’s recognition of the two Nigerian artists sparked widespread reactions on social media, with fans, music commentators and industry stakeholders celebrating the continued visibility of Afrobeats on a global stage. Many users described the inclusion as further evidence of the genre’s mainstream acceptance beyond Africa, while others praised the consistency with which Nigerian artists have appeared on Obama’s annual playlists.
The former president’s latest selections build on a pattern established in previous years, during which he has repeatedly spotlighted Nigerian musicians. In his 2024 playlist, Obama included Rema’s “Yayo” as well as “Active,” a collaboration between Asake and Travis Scott, further amplifying international interest in Nigerian music.
In earlier years, Obama has also featured songs by Nigerian artistes such as Wizkid, whose global breakout hit “Essence” featuring Tems appeared on his 2021 list, and Tems herself, who has been recognised both as a solo artist and through collaborations with international acts. These inclusions have often coincided with major milestones in the global expansion of Afrobeats.
Music analysts have noted that Obama’s annual playlists, while personal in nature, often carry cultural weight because of his global profile and broad audience. As a result, his repeated recognition of Nigerian artists has been seen as contributing to sustained international exposure for Afrobeats and encouraging new listeners to engage with the genre.
With the 2025 list, Obama has continued a years-long pattern of highlighting African and African diaspora music alongside mainstream Western acts. The inclusion of Burna Boy and Olamide adds to a growing catalogue of Nigerian artists featured over the years, underscoring Afrobeats’ steady rise as a significant force in global popular music.
FULL LIST: Obama’s 2025 favourite songs
In addition to Olamide and Burna Boy, Obama included “Not In Surrender” by Nigerian London-based singer Steven Umoh, professionally known as Obongjayar.
The 44th US president also included “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.
Other tracks include “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.
Also on the list are “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 movies 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 favourite books of the year include 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.
Others 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.