Barack Obama's 2020 Summer Playlist features Billie Eilish, Childish Gambino and Rihanna, fans say 'WAP's missing'
Barack Obama, best known as the 44th President of the United States who served his term from 2009 to 2017, recently shared his 2020 summer playlist which features some familiar and well-loved names from the music world. This year's playlist includes some entertainers who will perform at the Democratic National Convention, which runs from August 17 to August 20. That list includes stars like Leon Bridges, Common, John Legend, The Chicks, Billie Eilish, Maggie Rogers, Billy Porter and Jennifer Hudson.
As one of the most popular US presidents in recent memory, Obama continued his tradition of sharing playlists that feature some of his favorite stars, with his previous summer 2019 summer playlist including chart-toppers like Beyoncé, Lil Nas X, and Rosalía. On August 17, Barack Obama tweeted, "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." You can check out the entire list below.
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
Besides those aforementioned names who will be appearing at the Democratic National Convention, we also saw a great mix of upcoming stars and some familiar faces. There were no surprises when we got to see names like Beyonce and Megan Thee Stallion who had a hit with the latter's 'Savage Remix' this year, besides established stalwarts like Rihanna and Drake's with their 2016 collaboration 'Work'. The Chicks (who recently dropped "Dixie" from their name this year) also featured with 'Gaslighter', while Eilish also made an appearance with her latest single 'My Future'. Other established names included Bob Marley, Childish Gambino, J Cole, Nas, Mac Miller, Otis Redding, Billie Holiday, Outkast, Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, Jason Isbell, War, Khruangbin, Frank Ocean, J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, Tainy, Shatta Wale, Major Lazer, Summer Walker, D'Angelo, Anderson Paak, Nina Simone, Cassandra Wilson, Chet Baker, and John Coltrane in a mix that included both retro classics and modern bangers.
Some of the relatively fresher names on the list included stars like Teyana Taylor, Koffee, Young T & Bugsey, Khalid, Disclosure, Popcaan, PartyNextDoor, Wizkid, Jorja Smith, Burna Boy, Davido, Tems, Princess Nokia, Andrea Valle, Maye, HAIM, HER, Moses Sumney, Andy Shauf, Kyle, Bryson Tiller, Raphael Saadiq, Little Simz, Tank and the Bangas, Lil Mosey, Lil Baby, and Chika. The latter, who was also included in XXL's Freshman Class of 2020, was so thrilled to be on Obama's list that she tweeted "Excuse my language but B******H."
Many fans were gushing over Obama's post, with one supporter comparing him to Trump: "It’s great to hear clear and concise thoughts that contain no vitriol, name-calling, or bitterness whatsoever. No randomly capitalized words, no glaring need for acceptance, and no self-absorbed narcissism. It’s great to be spoken to by an adult in the room. Thank you, sir!"
It’s great to hear clear and concise thoughts that contain no vitriol, name calling, or bitterness whatsoever. No randomly capitalized words, no glaring need for acceptance, and no self absorbed narcissism🤔 it’s great to be spoken to by an adult in the room🙂 Thank you, sir!
— Nacho (@a_humane_being) August 17, 2020
However, as wide-ranging and all-encompassing as this fire playlist was, some fans did take note of one glaring omission on Obama's playlist. Many supporters noted that Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's collaboration 'WAP' deserved to be on the list, considering it was one of the summer's biggest bops.
Love it, but kind of sad "WAP" isn't on there. It's the song of the summer, sir.
— Fleur de MLIS (@fleurdemlis) August 17, 2020
Other fans also chimed in, with one noting that everyone must have checked for the track's inclusion at first.
Another supporter agreed that this perfect playlist would be completed if only 'WAP' had been included.
Great playlist by a great president. I will just add WAP to that. 😜
— Chidi®️ (@ChidiNwatu) August 17, 2020
However, most fans were pleased with the list, with plenty of them praising Obama's great taste.
The playlist does prove beyond doubt that Obama has a wide-ranging span of eclectic interests. We'll be eagerly waiting to see what he comes up with next time.