Former US President Barack Obama has revealed his top music picks for 2023, showcasing a diverse selection that prominently features Nigerian artistes.
Among the standout Afrobeats tracks on his playlist are Davido’s “Unavailable” with Musa Keys, Burna Boy’s “Sittin’ on Top of the World” featuring 21 Savage, “Amapiano” by Asake and Olamide, and Tems’ “Me & U.”
Taking to social media, Obama shared his annual favourites, including both classic and contemporary records. The Nigerian talents joined global superstars like Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé, Victoria Monet and 6LACK on this curated list.
Notably, this isn’t the first time Nigerian musicians have caught Obama’s attention. In 2022, Burna Boy and Ayra Starr made it to his playlist with “Last Last” and “Rush.” Wizkid and Rema have also been previously featured.
In his post, Obama extended an invitation for recommendations, writing, “Here are some of my favourite songs from this year. Let me know if there are any artistes or songs I should check out.”
The presence of multiple Nigerian artistes on Obama’s list highlights the global impact of Afrobeats and the continuous rise of Nigerian musicians in the international music scene. As the year comes to a close, Obama’s musical preferences offer a nod to the vibrancy and influence of the Nigerian music industry in 2023.
