As summer reaches its peak, it’s time to reflect on the season’s highlights. What was the song of the summer?
Which pop artist dominated the charts? And how did I spend my summer vacation? Naturally, this leads us to consider how former presidents enjoy their summers. While Donald Trump appears to favor the nostalgic sounds of the ’90s Jock Jams CD, former President Barack Obama offers a more cultured selection.
Obama has unveiled his latest Summer Playlist, an annual tradition where he shares songs he has been listening to recently. True to form, this year’s playlist is an “eclectic mix.” Among the featured artists is Charli XCX with her track “365,” along with Billie Eilish’s “Chihiro.” Obama also included his longtime friend Beyoncé, though the playlist lacks some of the more mainstream pop hits.
The playlist also showcases contemporary artists, featuring H.E.R.’s “Process,” Saweetie’s “My Best,” and GloRilla and Megan Thee Stallion’s collaboration “Wanna Be.” Additionally, Shaboozey’s country-rap track “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and Bob Dylan’s classic “Silvio” from 1988 made the cut, which is an unexpected choice. Notably absent are tracks from the ongoing Drake and Kendrick Lamar rivalry.
The playlist includes timeless classics as well, with contributions from Nick Drake, Etta James, The Supremes, and Bob Marley. Fans may be surprised to see “No Diggity” by Blackstreet included, especially since Obama has never featured it in his previous playlists. The question remains whether he will ever lift his unofficial ban on Mark Morrison’s “Return of the Mack.”
Check out the full playlist below, and as President Obama would say, enjoy your summer!
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