Skillibeng Lands On Barack Obama’s 2024 Favorite Music List

Former U.S. President Barack Obama unveiled his list of favorite movies, books, and music for 2024 on social media this Friday. Among the 25 tracks on his music list is Jump, a song by South African singer Tyla featuring Dancehall star Skillibeng and Atlanta rapper Gunna.

“I always look forward to sharing my annual list of favorite books, movies, and music,” Obama wrote on his social media accounts, encouraging followers to explore the songs and share recommendations for tracks or artists he might enjoy.

Also featured on his 2024 music list are Kendrick Lamar’s Squabble Up, Beyoncé’s Texas Hold ‘Em, Asake and Travis Scott’s Active, Billie Eilish’s Lunch, and Rema’s YAYO.

Released in May 2024, Jump was produced by Sammy Soso for Tyla’s self-titled debut album. The music video, directed by Nabil, has racked up over 36 million views on YouTube and showcases vibrant scenes from Johannesburg, Soweto, and Kingston, Jamaica.

In the UK, the track peaked at No. 38 on the Official Singles Chart and topped the UK Afrobeats Chart. In the U.S., it climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart, while in Canada, it reached No. 87 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100.

By July, Jump had earned Gold certification in Canada for exceeding 40,000 units sold. In December, it was certified Silver in the UK after surpassing 200,000 units.

Obama’s affinity for the track isn’t new. In August, he included Jump and Bob Marley and The Wailers’ Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) on his 2024 Summer Playlist.

Jamaican artists have been a recurring presence on Obama’s playlists since 2019. That year, he highlighted Toots and the Maytals’ 1968 hit 54-46 and Koffee’s Toast on his summer playlist, with Toast also appearing on his year-end list of favorite music.

In 2020, Koffee’s Repeat with J Hus made Obama’s year-end list, while her collaboration with John Legend on Don’t Walk Away was featured on his summer playlist.

In 2021, Spice’s Go Down Deh featuring Shaggy and Sean Paul earned a spot on his year-end list, alongside Protoje and Koffee’s Switch It Up on his summer playlist.

Koffee’s Pull Up appeared on both Obama’s 2022 summer playlist and year-end favorites, marking her sixth and seventh appearances on his coveted lists.

In 2023, Obama’s summer playlist included Funky Kingston by Toots & The Maytals.