Obama names Olamide’s ‘99’, Burna Boy’s ‘TaTaTa’ as top picks on his 2025 favourite
Former United States President Barack Obama has once again drawn attention to the worldwide influence of Afrobeats through his eagerly awaited end-of-year cultural picks.
In his 2025 list of favourite songs, Obama selected tracks from Nigerian music stars Olamide Adedeji, widely recognised as Olamide Baddo, and Damini Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy.
Posting the playlist on his social media platforms on Thursday evening, Obama explained that he was upholding his long-standing custom of sharing his top books, films, and music at the end of each year.
“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.
The compilation includes 30 songs across a wide range of styles, including pop, hip-hop, indie, and global music.
Notable Nigerian entries on the list are Burna Boy’s “TaTaTa” featuring Travis Scott, as well as Olamide’s “99”, which includes Asake, Seyi Vibez, Young Jonn, and UK-based singer Daecolm.
Obama’s recognition of Nigerian musicians sparked widespread reactions online and further underscored the growing international presence of Afrobeats.
This is not the first time the former president has highlighted Nigerian talent. His 2024 playlist featured Rema’s “Yayo” and Asake’s joint effort with Travis Scott, “Active”.
“TaTaTa”, released on May 21, 2025, via Atlantic Records, serves as the fourth single from Burna Boy’s eighth studio album, No Sign of Weakness, which dropped on July 10. The song combines Burna Boy’s Afro-fusion sound with Travis Scott’s trap-inspired style.
Meanwhile, “99” is a high-profile collaboration released in June 2025 and functions as a standout single from Olamide’s eleventh studio album, Olamidé. The track focuses on themes of success, enjoyment, and a carefree lifestyle.
Beyond Burna Boy and Olamide, Obama also included “Not In Surrender” by Nigerian-born, London-based artist Steven Umoh, professionally known as Obongjayar.
Other songs named on the list include “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.
Additional selections are “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 featured 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.
In addition to music, Obama shared his favourite films of 2025, which 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.
His recommended books for the year feature 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.
Other literary picks 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.
