With streaming services making international music more accessible, the former U.S. President’s endorsements often lead to increased visibility for emerging artists, resulting in surges of streams and social media traction.
Former United States (U.S.) President Barack Obama’s 2024 favorite playlist is putting African artists in the global spotlight, once again highlighting the continent’s rising influence on the international music scene.
Among the 25 songs Obama shared on X (formerly Twitter), African stars like Divine ‘Rema’ Ikubor and Ahmed ‘Asake’ Ololade from Nigeria, and South Africa’s Tyla Seethal, made the cut, indicating the growing popularity of Afrobeats and Amapiano worldwide.
Rema’s hit Yayo secured a spot on Obama’s list, further solidifying his place as one of Afrobeats’ biggest global ambassadors. Since his breakout track Dumebi and the international success of Calm Down, Rema has been at the forefront of a new generation of Nigerian artists dominating international charts and festivals.
Amapiano sensation Tyla also earned recognition with her track Jump, a collaboration featuring American rapper Sergio ‘Gunna’ Kitchens and Jamaican dancehall disc jockey (DJ) and rapper Emwah ‘Skillibeng’ Warmington. Tyla’s Amapiano-infused sound has propelled her to global stardom, with Jump exemplifying the genre’s seamless integration into mainstream pop and rhythm and blues (R&B).
Loading...
Singer and rapper Asake’s track Active, featuring U.S. rapper Jacques ‘Travis Scott’ Webster II, also reflects the rise of Afrobeats. His collaboration with Scott underscores the growing interest in African sounds by international artists.
Obama’s list also featured English-Northern Irish singer and rapper Jordan Adetunji of Nigerian descent with his genre-blending track Kehlani. Adetunji represents the evolving sound of the African diaspora reshaping global music narratives.
This isn’t the first time Obama has amplified African artists. His previous playlists have featured the likes of Damini ‘Burna Boy’ Ogulu, Ayodeji ‘Wizkid’ Balogun, and Temilade ‘Tems’ Openiyi, signaling Afrobeats’ and amapiano’s growing global reach.
Inviting his followers to “shake up” their playlists, he urged them to “let me know if there’s a song or artist I should make sure to listen to”.
Loading...