Burna Boy’s ‘Tatata’, Olamide ‘99’ make Obama’s favourite music of 2025

by · TheCable Lifestyle

Former United States President Barack Obama released his annual year-end favorites list on Thursday, and for 2025, Nigerian music takes a prominent spot.

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Among his selected songs are ‘Tatata’ by Afrofusion star Burna Boy, featuring Travis Scott, and ‘99’ by the rapper Olamide.

Obama’s list, which includes his favorite music, books, and movies, often highlights a diverse range of global artistes. The inclusion of these two Afrobeats anthems underscores the genre’s continued worldwide influence.

‘Tatata’ is a track from Burna Boy’s eighth studio album ‘No Sign of Weakness,’ released in May. Burna Boy, who won a Grammy in 2021 for ‘Twice As Tall,’ is celebrated as one of Africa’s most successful artistes, known for his genre-blending style.

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Olamide’s ‘99,’ which features Asake, Seyi Vibez, Young Jonn, and Daecolm, comes from his 11th studio album, a self-titled project.

Revered as one of Nigeria’s biggest rappers, Olamide has a decades-long career with hit albums like ‘Baddest Guy Ever Liveth’ and ‘Carpe Diem’.

Obama started the tradition during his last days as the leader of the “free world” when he partnered with Spotify, the US streaming platform, to handpick his favourite songs.

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Burna Boy and Rema’s tracks made the former president’s 2019 favourite songs of the year.

In 2020, ‘Essence’, Wizkid’s collaborative song with Tems, also made the list.

The ex-president, however, did not include any Nigerian artiste in his playlist for 2021.

‘Last Last’, the hit song Burna Boy, and ‘Calm Down’ by Rema were featured on Obama’s playlist in 2022, while four Nigerian singers made the list in 2023.

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Rema and Asake were the only Nigerian singers who made Obama’s favourite music of 2024.

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See the full list for 2025 below:

  1. ‘NICE TO EACH OTHER’ by Olivia Dean
  2. ‘LUTHER’ Kendrick Lamar & SZ.A
  3. ‘TATATA’ by Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott
  4. ‘JUMP’ by BLACKPINK
  5. ‘FAITHLESS’ by Bruce Springsteen
  6. ‘PASAYADAN’ by Ganavya
  7. ‘99’ by Olamidé ft. Daecolm, Seyi Vibez, Asake, & Young Jonn
  8. ‘PENDING’ by Lil Naay & Myke Towers
  9. ‘SEXO, VIOLENCIA Y LLANTAS’ by Rosalía
  10. ‘ABRACADABRA’ by Lady Gaga
  11. ‘JUST SAY DAT’ by Gunna
  12. ‘THE GIVER’ by Chappell Roan
  13. ‘AURORA’ by Mora & De La Rose
  14. ‘SILVER LINING’ by Laufey
  15. ‘NO MORE OLD MEN’ by Chance the Rapper & Jamila Woods
  16. ‘BURY ME’ by Jason Isbell
  17. ‘I WISH I COULD GO TRAVELLING AGAIN’  by Stacey Kent
  18. ‘PLEASE DON’T CRY by Kacy Hill
  19. ‘STAY’ by ROE
  20. ‘NEVER FELT BETTER’ by Everything is Recorded
  21. ft. Sampha & Florence Welch
  22. ‘IN THE NAME OF LOVE’ by Victoria Noelle
  23. ‘ANCIENT LIGHT’ by I’m With Her
  24. ‘VITAMINA’ by Jombriel, DFZM & Jotta
  25. ‘FLOAT’ by Jay Som ft. Jim Adkins
  26. ‘ORDINARY’ by Alex Warren
  27. ‘SYCAMORE TREE’ by Khamari
  28. ‘NOKIA’ by Drake
  29. ‘EN PRIVADO’ by Xavi & Manuel Turizo
  30. ‘NOT IN SURRENDER’ by Obongjayar

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