As the year comes to a close, President Barack Obama looks back on the past 12 months in music.
The 44th President of the United States has unveiled his annual year-end playlist, curated for Spotify.
The 27 tracks include a diverse mix of songs that defined the year, including Lil Nas X’s chart-topper “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” and Lizzo and Cardi B’s “Rumors,” which prompted a response from Lizzo.
Like I was saying… there’s amazing music that isn’t viral, that isn’t charting, that don’t have a TikTok trend…
My music touches people— don’t believe me, ask Obama 😘❤️
Artists don’t be discouraged— make the music YOU love and believe in and the rest will follow! pic.twitter.com/NgssePLNZ1
— ALL THE RUMORS ARE TRUE (@lizzo) December 17, 2021
Nas and Ms. Lauryn Hill’s King’s Disease II collaboration “Nobody” makes the cut, along with MO3 and Morray’s “In My Blood.” Other picks from the POTUS include Isaiah Rashad’s “Headshots (4r Da Locals)” and Jon Batiste’s Grammy-nominated song “Freedom.”
In addition to music, Obama has shared his favorite movies and books of the past year.
“Art always sustains and nourishes the soul. But for me, music and storytelling felt especially urgent during this pandemic year,” he wrote.
Stream Obama’s top songs of 2021 below.
