Barack Obama is aware of the positive. On Friday (Dec. 23), the former president made a playlist of his favorite songs from 2022.
“I always enjoy sharing my end of year music playlist with all of you — and this year we heard a lot of great songs. Here are some of my favorites,” he tweeted. “Are there any songs or artists I should check out?”
Indeed. 13 of the artists behind the 25 songs he listed are up for nominations for the 2023 Grammy Awards. Additionally, the genres vary greatly. Afrobeats, pop, Latin, rock, and hip-hop are just a few of Obama’s favorite genres.
What, then, did he spin repeatedly this year? Everything from the surprise release of Kendrick Lamar’s “The Heart Part 5” days before the May release of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers; to “Titi Me Pregunto” from Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this year; Renaissance’s “Break My Soul” by Beyonce; “Something in the Orange” by Zach Bryan; “That’s Where I Am” by Maggie Rogers; “Last Last” by Burna Boy; including “About Damn Time” by Lizzo and more.
Lizzo was the only artist to make the playlist of the former president’s favorite songs of the year in 2021 and 2022. The “Rumors” collaboration between Cardi B and the “2 Be Loved” singer and Obama was repeatedly played.