Music / NewsMusic / NewsLizzo and Lil Nas X make Barack Obama’s summer playlistA list going from Beyoncé to Ella Fitzgerald and backShareLink copied ✔️August 25, 2019August 25, 2019Text Thom Waite Barack Obama’s year-end lists have been a thing for years, but right now it’s time for his “Summer Playlist 2019” – and don’t worry, he’s still a Cool Dad. Obama shared the playlist in a post on Instagram, writing: “With summer winding down, here’s a sampling of what Michelle and I have been listening to — some new, some old, some fast, some slow.” “Some new, some old” is about right. Among Obama’s picks of timeless classics, there are some 2019 gems (and future classics) including Lizzo’s “Juice” and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” (the former president went for the most popular remix with Billy Ray Cyrus). Yes, even the Obamas couldn’t get away from the yeehaw meme sensation and longest-running US number one. There were also some of the usual suspects, including Beyoncé and Jay-Z (the Obamas were spotted on The Carters’ On the Run II tour in summer last year). Namely, he picked their song with Childish Gambino for Beyoncé’s album to accompany The Lion King. Elsewhere on the 44-song list, Barack Obama takes it back to the 90s with Lauryn Hill’s “Doo-Wop (That Thing)” and “Can I Kick It?” by A Tribe Called Quest. Going further back are tracks from the likes of Van Morrison, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Rolling Stones. A couple of weeks ago, Obama also shared his summer reading list, which featured books by Colson Whitehead and Haruki Murakami, among others. As for Toni Morrison, who died August 5, he suggested reading or re-reading the collected works: “they’re transcendent, all of them.” Read Obama’s full lists below. Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.TrendingIlia Malinin breaks the ice – and his silenceHe does things on a skating rink that were once thought impossible. But the ‘Quad God’s’ setback at this year’s Winter Olympics brought new fire and energy to a skater seen by many as the greatest of all time Life & CultureArt & PhotographyMost loved photo stories of May 2026 Nike FashionNike celebrates the culture of soccer ahead of a summer shaped by the gameLife & Culture5 times ‘Quad God’ Ilia Malinin did the impossible on the iceBeautyThe rise of the intellectual tattooLife & CultureWhy so many young people are training to be death doulasBeauty10 of the hottest Instagram accounts fusing art, sex and eroticaBeautyHoroscopes June 2026: Love deeply, take risks, and embarrass yourselfFilm & TV7 sex worker-approved films about sex workEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy