Nigerian singers, Burna Boy and Ayra Starr’s songs made it to Barack Obama’s annual reading roundup list, voiceofnaija.ng has gathered.
The 44th President of the U.S. released his annual list of summer book recommendations July 20. The nine books include nonfiction, novels and a strong selection of thrillers.
The former President published his first summer reading list in 2009, and has released a list every year since then, with the exception of 2012 and 2013.
Obama posted this year’s list on Instagram.
“Here’s some books that I’m reading this summer,” he wrote in the caption. “Check them out and let me know what I should be reading next.”
Ayra Starr made it to 2023 Summer reading list with her 2023 hit song “Stability.” While Burna Boy made it to the list with his song “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” (Remix) By Burna Boy ft. 21 Savage.
READ ALSO: Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Rema’s Songs Features On Obama’s 2022 Favourite Songs
President Obama’s entire list of summer reading recommendations is stated below:
- “Poverty, By America” by Matthew Desmond is a 2023 nonfiction book that analyzes the sociological roots of poverty in the United States.
- “Small Mercies” is a sweltering summer thriller set in ’70s Boston from the author of “Mystic River,” Dennis Lehane.
- “King: A Life” by Jonathan Eig is a biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A New York Times Bestseller, the book was was deemed “the new definitive biography” of King by the newspaper.
- “Hello Beautiful” by Ann Napolitano chronicles the lives of an Italian-American family. The novel is also an Oprah’s Book Club pick.
- “All the Sinners Bleed” by S.A. Cosby is a serial killer thriller set in the South.
- “Birnam Wood” by Booker Prize-winning author Eleanor Catton is an eco-thriller about a guerilla gardening group.
- “What Napoleon Could Not Do” by DK Nnuro is a novel that dives into the tension between African and American identities.
- “The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder” by David Grann is a nonfiction book about the 18th-century Wager Mutiny. Grann is also the author of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which has been adapted into an upcoming film.
- “Blue Hour” by Tiffany Clarke Harrison was described by Kirkus Reviews as “a poetic novel that dances on the edge of hope and despair.”
These 41 songs make up Obama’s summer 2023 playlist:
- “Who Told You,” J Hus feat. Drake
- “Snooze,” SZA
- “I’ll Stand By You,” The Pretenders
- “Vampiros,” Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro
- “Fast Car,” Luke Combs
- “California Love,” 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman
- “Dance Me To The End Of Love (Live), Leonard Cohen
- “Nowhere To Run,” Martha Reeves and The Vandellas
- “Parabolic!” nobigdyl
- “Try Me,” Jorja Smith
- “Sittin’ On Top Of The World,” Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage
- “Got ‘Til It’s Gone,” Janet Jackson, Joni Mitchell, and Q-Tip
- “Penas con Pan,” La Doña
“14. Walk Like An Egyptian,” The Bangles - “Watching The Credits,” The Beths
- “Ain’t No Harmin’ Me,” The War and Treaty
- “Soul Survivor,” The Rolling Stones
- “Dr. Feelgood (Love Is A Serious Business),” Aretha Franklin
- “Blue Train,” John Coltrane
- “Princess Diana,” Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj
- “Funky Kingston,” Toots and The Maytals
- “Unchained Melody,” The Righteous Brothers
- “Golden Lady,” Stevie Wonder
- “Doctor My Eyes,” Jackson Browne
- “Sability,” Ayra Starr
- “Not Strong Enough,” boygenius
- “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of the Bay,” Otis Redding
- “Everything Is Broken,” Bob Dylan
- “Cry Me A River,” Ella Fitzgerald
- “La Bebe (Remix),” Yng Lvcas and Peso Pluma
- “Drums,” Money Man and Babyface Ray
- “The World Is Yours,” Nas
- “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” Four Tops
- “Just Breathe,” Pearl Jam
- “Tempted,” J’calm
- “Contact,” Kelela
- “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler),” Marvin Gaye
- “River Deep – Mountain High,” Ike and Tina Turner
- “Only Have Eyes 42,” Janelle Monáe
- “The Devil I Know,” Ashley McBryde
- “Love & Hate,” Michael Kiwanuka
In response to Obama’s post, SZA wrote in an Instagram Story, “My forever president said hurry up w the video and I heard him.”
READ ALSO: Barack Obama Wins Emmy For Netflix Documentary
British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith reposed Obama’s post to her Instagram Stories, acknowledging her inclusion on his playlist without adding additional comment.
This is the second year in a row that Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Rosalía and SZA received a shoutout from Obama.
Meanwhile, artists like Lizzo, Bad Bunny, Harry Styles and Beyoncé missed a spot on the coveted list this year despite getting recognition in recent years.
