At the end of every year, former POTUS Barack Obama transforms into the role of a bonafide tastemaker and shares his favorite songs, books and movies. While most outlets have already pushed out their lofty year-end lists (visit HipHopDX’s here and here), Obama has come through with his own.
Sitting in the top spot is The Carters’ “APESH*T,” which comes from the power couple’s joint album, EVERYTHING IS LOVE.
In a Facebook post, Obama explained why his year-end list is important to him.
“It gives me a moment to pause and reflect on the year through the books, movies, and music that I found most thought-provoking, inspiring, or just plain loved,” he wrote.”It also gives me a chance to highlight talented authors, artists, and storytellers – some who are household names and others who you may not have heard of before.”
Obama also names J. Cole’s “Kevin’s Heart,” Jay Rock’s “Wow Freestyle” featuring Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper’s latest, “My Own Thing” featuring Joey Purp and Cardi B’s Grammy Award-nominated hit “I Like It.”
Among the movies he loved in 2018, the former U.S. president names Barry Jenkins‘ If Beale Street Could Talk and the Marvel Studio blockbuster Black Panther.
As for books, Becoming by his wife Michelle Obama is another top pick.[apple_news_ad type=”any”]
Check out Obama’s 2018 year-end music list below and the full list here.
“APESH*T” – The Carters
“Bad Bad News” – Leon Bridges
“Could’ve Been” – H.E.R. f. Bryson Tiller
“Disco Yes” – Tom Misch f. Poppy Ajudha
“Ekombe” – Jupiter & Okwess
“Every Time I Hear That Song” – Brandi Carlile
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere” – Ashley McBryde
“Historia De Un Amor” – Tonina f. Javier Limón and Tali Rubinstein
“I Like It” – Cardi B. f. Bad Bunny and J Balvin
“Kevin’s Heart” – J. Cole
“King For A Day” – Anderson East
“Love Lies” – Khalid & Normani
“Make Me Feel” – Janelle Monáe
“Mary Don’t You Weep (Piano & A Microphone 1983 Version)” – Prince
“My Own Thing” – Chance the Rapper f. Joey Purp
“Need a Little Time” – Courtney Barnett
“Nina Cried Power” – Hozier f. Mavis Staples
“Nterini” – Fatoumata Diawara
“One Trick Ponies” – Kurt Vile
“Turnin’ Me Up” – BJ the Chicago Kid
“Wait by the River” – Lord Huron
“Wow Freestyle” – Jay Rock f. Kendrick Lamar
i care. said no one ever. except the guy commentin i care cause i commented.
I care cause you commented.
I wish Obama would run for governor in California. We love you Obama!!
Fuck That! No bama! He’s done son! Issa wrap!
One Trick Ponies is the best song on the list to me.
NOBODY CARES OBAMA THANK U NEXT
Lame! Beyonce and Jay-Z sold out long time ago just liKe Obama!
Remember when Obama fucked over Flint, MI and didn’t fix its water?
Fuck this guy and that Camel looking fuck.
That’s a state matter. What’d you do to help?
I don’t know why you all are talkin shit. What other president is gonna have a list even close to as good as this. Be grateful for a president who bumps J. Cole.
anyone who cares about what any president listens to shouldn’t be able to vote.
Fuck rap if it aint gangsta rap!
Every song on that playlist WACK
Have you heard them all? I seriously doubt you heard 25% of his list.
does beyonce go out on the street wearing that? jay-z? j. cole? why not lupe fiasco probably the only muslim who has made it in like a million years. why not classic Kanye west, why not iglesia banks? there is more to music than jay-z and beyonce ya know.
Yeah Evan, That’s why he listed other artist besides Beyonce and Jay-Z…this generation is full of morons who only wanna push their dumbass narrative
i dont understand why everyone champions this guy as a great president.. he let his own hometown turn into Chraq.
who gives a fuck about the musical opinion of an ex president??? fuck him and his transgender wife-husband
who gives a fuck about the musical opinion of an ex president?
Man I love the fact that I have a president that related to me on so many levels. And was more intelligent than just about any of his predecessors. I’m not gonna mention #45.
Too bad he didn’t actually change America for the better though. Sure. You can relate to him. Did he change your life?
My life got worse. Basically any hard worker got fucked by Obamacare and had huge jumps in their premiums. Two types of ppl did good with Obama… The poor who don’t try to accomplish anything, and the rich. Under Trump, guess who’s doing better factually speaking?
The poor, the rich, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, the middle working class. Hard working men didn’t like Obama, as we watched our cost of insurance increase, less competition in healthcare, and higher taxes. Yeah. My life only got harder under Obama. It’s gotten easiernunder Trump. The tax cuts lead to me having an additonal $275 a month… And I only make about $1500. So its making a gigantic difference in my life.
This corrupt cornball only mentions these artists because they campaigned for him and Hillary. Wack ass
What a miserable life you must lead lol…pathetic.
break out the peace n kill for the prize