Former U.S. President Barack Obama has once again delighted music lovers with his annual summer playlist, a tradition that has become eagerly anticipated each year. This time, the 2024 lineup showcases a strong presence of African artists, including South Africa’s Tyla and Nigeria’s Rema and Tems, highlighting the global influence of Afrobeats and African music.

One of the standout tracks on Obama’s playlist is “Yayo” by Rema, a song from his critically acclaimed album HEIS. The album has been praised for its innovative approach to Afrobeats, blending traditional sounds with modern influences. Rema, reflecting on the album’s success, noted, “The success that has come with Afrobeats is slowly changing our perception of the sound. We’re listening to the voices of the world too much and we’ve got to listen to ourselves.” He emphasized that HEIS is a return to the roots of Afrobeats, bringing back its original energy and essence.

Tyla’s track “Jump,” featuring Gunna and Skillibeng, also made the cut. The South African artist has been making waves internationally, and her performance of “Jump” at the 2024 BET Awards was nothing short of spectacular, further cementing her status as a rising star.

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Tems, another Nigerian sensation, was included with her soulful single “Love Me Jeje,” which has been receiving widespread acclaim since its release in April. Tems’ growing popularity in the U.S. was further solidified with her debut performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in May, a moment that captured the attention of audiences across the globe.

Rounding out the African representation on Obama’s playlist is Shaboozey, whose track “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has become an anthem in its own right. The song, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and amassed nearly 800 million streams across Spotify and YouTube Music, has positioned Shaboozey as a breakout artist in the country music scene, blending genres in a way that resonates with a broad audience.

Obama’s playlists have become known for their diversity and ability to spotlight both emerging and established artists from around the world. African artists have consistently featured in his selections, with previous years highlighting stars like Shatta Wale, Pheelz, Sampa the Great, and Ayra Starr, who appeared with “Sability” in 2023 and “Rush” in Obama’s Favorite Music of 2022 list. Burna Boy and Tems also received recognition in his summer 2022 playlist with “Last Last” and “Vibes Out,” respectively.

With his 2024 summer playlist, Barack Obama continues to celebrate the rich diversity of global music, shining a spotlight on the growing influence of African artists in the international music scene.