Olamide, Burna Boy featured in Obama’s 2025 best songs

Former President of the United States Barack Obama has released his 2025 year-end cultural recommendations, highlighting the global impact of Afrobeats.

The former US President included tracks by Nigerian artists Olamide and Burna Boy in his list of favourite songs.

Olamide’s “99” (featuring Asake, Seyi Vibez, Young Jonn, and Daecolm) and Burna Boy’s “TaTaTa” (featuring Travis Scott) made the cut.

Other Nigerian artists featured on the list include Obongjayar, with his song “Not In Surrender”.

Obama praised the diversity of the music, spanning genres like pop, hip-hop, indie, and world music.

Sharing the list on his social media accounts on Thursday evening, Obama said he was continuing the tradition of releasing his favourite books, movies and music.

“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. I hope you find something new to enjoy — and please send any recommendations for me to check out!” he wrote.

FULL LIST: Obama’s 2025 favourite songs

Apart from Olamide and Burna Boy, Obama also listed “Not In Surrender” by Nigerian London-based singer Steven Umoh, known by his stage name Obongjayar.

The 44th US president also included “Nice To Each Other” by Olivia Dean; “Luther” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA; “Jump” by BLACKPINK; “Faithless” by Bruce Springsteen; “Pasayadan” by Ganavya; “Pending” by Lil Naay and Myke Towers; “Sexo, Violencia y Llantas” by Rosalía; “Metal” by The Beths; “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga; “Just Say Dat” by Gunna; and “The Giver” by Chappell Roan.

Other tracks include “Aurora” by Mora and De La Rose; “Silver Lining” by Laufey; “No More Old Men” by Chance the Rapper and Jamila Woods; “Bury Me” by Jason Isbell; “I Wish I Could Go Travelling Again” by Stacey Kent; “Please Don’t Cry” by Kacy Hill; “Stay” by ROE; “Never Felt Better” by Everything Is Recorded featuring Sampha and Florence Welch; and “In the Name of Love” by Victoria Noelle.

Also on the list are “Ancient Light” by I’m With Her; “Vitamina” by Jombriel, DFZM and Jetta; “Float” by Jay Som featuring Jim Adkins; “Ordinary” by Alex Warren; “Sycamore Tree” by Khamari; “Nokia” by Drake; and “En Privado” by Xavi and Manuel Turizo.

Movies

Advertisement

Obama’s favourite movies of 2025 include One Battle After Another, Sinners, It Was Just an Accident, Hamnet, Sentimental Value, No Other Choice, The Secret Agent, Train Dreams, Jay Kelly, Good Fortune, and Orwell: 2+2=5.

Books

His favourite books of the year include Paper Girl by Beth Macy, Flashlight by Susan Choi, We the People by Jill Lepore, The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy, and There Is No Place for Us by Brian Goldstone.

Others include North Sun by Ethan Rutherford, 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai, Dead and Alive by Zadie Smith, What We Can Know by Ian McEwan, and The Look by Michelle Obama.