Burna Boy and Olamide Make Former President Barack Obama’s 2025 Music Favorites List

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has once again shared his annual lists of favorite books, movies, and music, highlighting global talent and diverse sounds.

Released on Thursday via his X account, the lists featured Nigerian Afrobeats stars Burna Boy and Olamide. Burna Boy’s track Tatata featuring Travis Scott, and Olamide’s 99 featuring Daecolm, Seyi Vibez, Asake, and Young John, earned spots among Obama’s top picks for 2025. British-Nigerian singer Obongjayar also made the music list with Not In Surrender.

Other international stars included Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Lady Gaga, Gunna, and Drake, reflecting a mix of hip-hop, pop, and Afrobeats influences.

Obama wrote alongside the lists:
"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 favorite books, movies, and music. I hope you find something new to enjoy."

Opinion: Afrobeats on the Global Stage

The inclusion of Burna Boy and Olamide on Obama’s list is more than just recognition—it’s a celebration of Afrobeats’ global rise. Nigerian music continues to dominate international playlists, influencing artists worldwide and connecting cultures through rhythm and storytelling.

Obama’s acknowledgment underscores the genre’s growing impact, proving that Afrobeats is not just a local phenomenon but a global cultural force. For African artists, this serves as a reminder that their music resonates far beyond the continent, inspiring new collaborations and audiences worldwide.

This recognition also highlights the power of music to transcend borders, bridging nations and cultures in ways that few other forms of art can achieve.