Barack Obama's Musical Highlights of 2023: From Beyoncé to Mitski

As 2023 drew to a close, former US President Barack Obama unveiled his eagerly anticipated list of top songs for the year. Continuing a tradition of sharing his favorite books, movies, and music annually, the 62-year-old curated a diverse collection of 28 songs for his 'Favorite Music of 2023' list. From seasoned icons like Beyoncé and Shakira to emerging talents like Blondshell and Indigo De Souza, the list spanned genres including pop, R&B, Afrobeats, rock, and rap.

 

In a social media post accompanying the list, Obama engaged with his audience, stating, "Here are some of my favorite songs from this year. Let me know if there are any artists or songs I should check out."

 

Interestingly, the absence of any mention of pop sensation Taylor Swift raised eyebrows, given her chart dominance throughout the year and the launch of her record-breaking Eras Tour. One commenter echoed this sentiment, humorously questioning, "Barack c'mon my man, where's Taylor?"

 

Acknowledging the recognition, artists featured on Obama's list expressed gratitude and excitement. Rita Wilson, whose song "Crazy Love" earned a spot, expressed her surprise on Obama's Instagram post, saying, "What a surprise to see my duet with Keith Urban, 'Crazy Love,' on here. Thank you, Pres. Obama!" Canadian singer-songwriter Allison Russell, whose track "The Returner" made the cut, conveyed deep honor, stating, "I am wildly, deeply honored. Thank you for listening and for sharing."

 

While most artists welcomed the spotlight on Obama's list, some took a different stance. Earlier in the year, Obama's summer playlist included "Not Strong Enough" by indie group Boygenius, prompting an unimpressed response from singer-songwriter Lucy Ducas, who reshared the post and commented with a concise "War criminal."

 

Reflecting on past inclusions in Obama's lists, Indian singer Prateek Kuhad recalled the overwhelming experience of having his song "cold/mess" featured in 2019. Kuhad praised Obama for his discerning taste, noting, "He is one of the few personalities in our generation who has a fairly clean image and is one of the good presidents that the world has seen. He listens to Big Thief. I love them, but they're not a really big band. It clearly looks like Obama scouts his music well."

 

Kuhad shared a personal anecdote, revealing the impact of Obama's recognition at a crucial time in his career. "In 2014, I used a platform that allowed me to send emails to myself in the future. A day after Obama's list came out, I got a mail which I had written then that said I should quit if I wasn't successful by now. I think I'm doing okay."

 

Barack Obama's musical selections continue to serve as a testament to his eclectic taste and the power of his influence in shaping the discourse around contemporary music.