Barack Obama's eclectic 2020 Summer Playlist features Frank Ocean, Bob Dylan and Billie Eilish

Culture
18 Aug 20

“Over the past few months, I’ve spent a lot of time listening to music with my family,” he wrote. “I wanted to share some of my favourites for the summer.”

Barack Obama has revealed his 2020 summer playlist, featuring tracks from established artists like Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, Princess Nokia, Anderson .Paak, Billie Holiday, and Maggie Rogers.

The former US President took to Twitter to reveal his favourite songs of the season, including tracks from artists who will be performing at the upcoming Democratic Convention, such as Billie Eilish.

Over the past few months, I’ve spent a lot of time listening to music with my family. I wanted to share some of my favorites from the summer—including songs from some of the artists at this week’s @DemConvention. Hope you enjoy it. pic.twitter.com/2ZFwdN46jR

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 17, 2020

The tracks that made the cut this year include Leon Bridges and Khruangbin with ‘Texas Sun’ from their collaborative EP, Billie Eilish’s ‘My Future’, Princess Nokia’s ‘Gemini’, Moses Sumney’s ‘Rank & File’ and ‘Cayendo’ by Frank Ocean.

There are also some renowned songs from former times, such as ‘Could You Be Loved’ by Bob Marley and The Wailers, Stevie Wonder’s ‘Do I Do’, Billie Holiday’s ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’, Outkast's 1998 track 'Liberation', and ‘Nick Of Time’ by Bonnie Raitt.

Obama’s 2019 and 2020 summer playlists both featured Rihanna, Maggie Rogers, Stevie Wonder and Anderson .Paak.

Beyoncé features twice; on ‘Savage Remix’ with Megan Thee Stallion and again on ‘Already’, featuring Major Lazor and Shatta Wale.

"As always, it's a mix of genres that travels through various eras," Obama wrote in the tweet.

"I think there's something in here for everybody - hope you enjoy it."

Khalid led a number of featured artists who reacted with shock at their inclusion, along with Teyana Taylor - whose track 'Made It' was included - John Legend and Maggie Rogers.

John Legend wrote: "Thank you, Mr. President," while Maggie Rogers said: "LOVE YOU (and Michelle) FOR A VERY LONG TIME."

Obama and his wife Michelle signed an exclusive deal with Spotify last year in June, when it was announced they would produce a series of podcasts under their Higher Ground Productions.

In July 2020, Michelle released the first instalment of her podcast series The Michelle Obama Podcast.

She also released her 2020 workout mix in January, plus a selection of tracks that inspired the first season of her podcast earlier this month.