Afrobeats has received another powerful international endorsement, this time from one of the world's most influential figures. Former United States President Barack Obama has included three Nigerian music stars in his highly anticipated 2025 list of favourite songs, continuing a tradition that shines a spotlight on global talent.
Nigerian Trio Earns Presidential Recognition
On Thursday evening, Obama shared his annual playlist across his social media platforms, a practice he began during his tenure in the White House. The 30-track compilation spans genres like pop, hip-hop, and indie, but the inclusion of Nigerian artists has sparked significant excitement back home.
The list features Grammy-winning superstar Burna Boy with his 2025 single "TaTaTa", a collaboration with American rapper Travis Scott. The track, released on May 21, 2025, blends Afro-fusion with trap influences and is lifted from Burna Boy's eighth studio album, "No Sign of Weakness".
Joining him is rap icon Olamide with his star-studded record "99", which features Asake, Seyi Vibez, Young Jonn, and British singer Daecolm. The song was released in June 2025 as part of Olamide's self-titled eleventh album, "Olamidé".
Completing the Nigerian representation is London-based singer Obongjayar (born Steven Umoh), whose song "Not In Surrender" also earned a spot on the prestigious playlist.
A Continuing Tradition of Spotlighting Nigerian Talent
This is not the first time Obama has used his platform to highlight Nigerian music. His 2024 playlist featured Rema's "Yayo" and a collaboration between Asake and Travis Scott titled "Active". This year's selections reinforce the steady and powerful rise of Afrobeats on the world stage, endorsed from the very top.
In his post, Obama explained the motive behind his yearly list: "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 favourite books, movies, and music." He added that the goal is to help people discover new music from across the globe.
Social Media Erupts with Reactions
The news quickly ignited conversations online, with Nigerian fans and social media users sharing mixed reactions to the playlist.
One user, @WIZEINTHEBEAT, humorously questioned the inclusion of Burna Boy's track, commenting, "This man take style like doggy o, what is Tatatata looking for here?"
Another, @AyoMichael85961, noted the consistent recognition for certain artists, stating, "Since Asake blew up he hasn’t missed a year without being on Barack Obama’s list."
A fan, @mechk9, celebrated the continued support, exclaiming, "Thank you Obama for putting us on your playlist again! That’s seven years in a row!!"
The conversation also took a broader turn, with user @jumplaila shifting focus to global pop, writing, "French president and his wife, the former American president, the king of England... the only artist they all listen to in common is Blackpink. Blackpink's music could bring world peace."
The annual Obama playlist remains a significant cultural barometer, and the repeated inclusion of Nigerian artists underscores the undeniable and growing influence of Afrobeats. As the genre continues to command global playlists and presidential endorsements, its reputation as a dominant musical force is firmly cemented.
