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Barack Obama's 2022 Summer Playlist Includes Bangers From Tems, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar And More

Burna Boy, Lil Yachty, Prince and Vince Staples are a few of the former president's favorite artists for the season.

July 27, 2022 at 6:39 pm

Former President Barack Obama has once again shared his annual summer playlist and book list. Since 2015, Obama has shared his favorite books and songs with his followers on social media.

The 44-song list includes Beyoncé’s latest song, “Break my soul,” from her new album, Renaissance, set to be released on Friday.

“Every year, I get excited to share my summer playlist because I learn about so many new artists from your replies,” Obama tweeted. “It’s an example of how music really can bring us all together. Here’s what I’ve been listening to this summer. What songs would you add?”

Every year, I get excited to share my summer playlist because I learn about so many new artists from your replies—it’s an example of how music really can bring us all together.

Here’s what I’ve been listening to this summer. What songs would you add? pic.twitter.com/9OgPq0SRy4

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 26, 2022

Kendrick Lamar’s single “Die Hard,” Vince Staples and Mustard’s “Magic,” and Drake’s “Too Good,” featuring Rihanna, all made the cut this year, along with some classics, including Otis Reddings’ “I’ve Been Loving You,” and Aretha Franklin’s “Save Me.”

The former president has also set the tone for summer 2022 with his annual reading recommendations. The 14-book list of his favorite reads includes Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Velvet Was the Night, Emily St. John Mandel’s Sea of Tranquility and Hanya Yanagihara’s To Paradise.

“I’ve read a couple of great books this year and wanted to share some of my favorites so far,” Obama tweeted. “What have you been reading this summer?”

I’ve read a couple of great books this year and wanted to share some of my favorites so far. What have you been reading this summer? pic.twitter.com/K8bnTnmNaG

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 26, 2022

After the White House joined Spotify in 2015, Obama created his first playlist, the Obama White House reports.

“When asked to pick a few of his favorite songs for the summer, the President got serious,” the article read. “He grabbed a pen and paper and drafted up not one but two separate summer playlists: One for the daytime and one for the evening.”