Bob Marley, Skillibeng Featured On Obama’s 2024 Summer Playlist
As has become tradition, former US President Barack Obama has shared another summer playlist, showcasing his diverse taste in music.
Unveiled on Monday, the summer playlist includes Bob Marley and The Wailers’ Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) (1974) and Tyla, Gunna and Skillibeng’s collaborative track Jump (2024).
“With summer winding down, I wanted to share some songs that I’ve been listening to lately—and it wouldn’t be my playlist if it didn’t include an eclectic mix,” Obama wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I hope you find something new to listen to!”
Speaking to Carter Gregory on Instagram, Obama said his daughters Sasha and Malia have helped ensure his musical horizons are expanded.
“I get referrals from my daughters — which keeps me not stuck in the ’80s,” he said. “I’ve got some newer stuff, some older stuff. I tend to mix it up,” he added.
The 2024 playlist also includes Charli XCX’s 365, Beyoncé’s Texas Hold ‘Em, and Billie Eilish’s CHIHIRO, TEMS’ Love Me Jeje and Rema’s Yayo — plus older songs, like 2Pac’s How Do U Want It with K-Ci & JoJo, Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me, and Bob Dylan’s Silvio.
Obama’s playlists have consistently featured Jamaican artists, reflecting his appreciation for the island’s rich musical culture.
In 2019, he selected Toots and the Maytals’ 1968 hit 54-46 and Koffee’s Toast for his summer playlist. Toast was also chosen for his “Favorite Music” list that year.
The following year, his “Favorite Music” list included Koffee’s Repeat collaboration with J Hus, while his summer playlist featured John Legend’s Don’t Walk Away with Koffee.
In 2021, Spice’s hit single Go Down Deh, featuring Shaggy and Sean Paul, made it onto his “Favorite Music” list, while Protoje’s Switch It Up with Koffee appeared on his summer playlist.
Koffee’s Pull Up was featured on both his “Favorite Music” and “Summer Playlist” in 2022, marking the artist’s sixth and seventh appearance on Obama’s coveted selections.
In 2023, Toots & The Maytals’ Funky Kingston was among the 41 songs on Obama’s summer playlist.