Barack Obama just released his much anticipated (and sometimes controversial) 2024 favorites list. From books, music to movies, Obama’s bold choices can’t please everyone. Regardless, let’s get into a few of the books, hooks and movies that caught his ears and eyes. Let us know if you liked his list or not.
“Kehlani” By Jordan Adetunji
The Tiktok and club favorite melody that broke the internet surfaced on the former President’s playlist. It still is amazing that we are on the same internet as thee Barack Obama.
“Squabble Up” By Kendrick Lamar
We know which side Obama was on for the rap beef! After the year Kendrick Lamar had, it’s no wonder why Obama selected one of the many gems that were on his GNX album released mid-November. The rapper now has another trophy to add the the vault of W’s.
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” By Shaboozey
This will likely be controversial. America’s favorite song of the year that was recently snubbed at the CMAs also made an appearance on Obama’s music favorites. Shaboozey had a record setting year for sure. The single had the longest running number-one song, sitting at number-one for 19 weeks. I mean, the song was so loved it was the NFL theme song for a second. Good choice, Obama. The numbers add up for this one.
“Texas Hold ‘Em” By Beyoncé
Of course Beyoncé, the star among other stars, made her way on Obama’s list. The cultural significance of the song alone makes it one of the most important songs released this year. This was another snubbed album at the CMAs, but that’s conversation for another day.
“Dune: Part Two”
The futuristic, mythic sequel showcased actors Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Austin Butler and Florence Pugh in an epic journey of self-discovery and the quarrels of chasing revenge. The movie is an adaptation of the 1965 novel series “Dune” by Frank Herbert. If you missed it, you’re missing out.
“The Piano Lesson”
The Piano Lesson is based of the play written by August Wilson, an iconic Black playwright that you should know. The movie directed by Malcolm Washington and produced by Denzel Washington features a lot of Black household names such as John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Erykah Badu and more. The movie follows the Charles family as they decide what to do with an heirloom piano. It premiered on Netflix in November.
“The Promised Land”
Although, “The Promised Land” released in 2023, it still was featured on Obama’s list. The movie takes place in 18th century Denmark and follows Captain Ludvig Kahlen and his journey to conquer “uninhabitable land” for his King.
“Conclave”
Obama picked another somewhat political movie selection. This movie directed by Edward Berger depicts one of the most paramount appointments in the world, selecting the new Pope. Tatsha Robertson, the Editor-in-Chief of The Root, loved the book, too.
“The Anxious Generation” By Jonathan Haidt
With a raging mental health crisis among the youth, “The Anxious Generation” is a timely piece on the shift of social lives for American teens from 2010-2015.
“Someone Like Us” By Dinaw Mengestu
This novel is also a timely piece after tragic recent events (the election), that details a fantasy world in which a network of taxi cabs that actually assist immigrants, migrants and refugees alike. It poses the question of what if we were actually welcoming instead of the terrifyingly divisive reality we live in.
“Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame and the Rise of Right” By Arlie Russell Hochschild
Author, Arlie Russell Hochschild, dares to explore the one question a lot of us have been wondering for quite some time, why did a lot of White America vote for Donald Trump? More broadly, it delves into white supremacist commentary during recent elections.
“The Work Of Art: How Something Comes From Nothing” By Adam Moss
Obama knows a little something about making something out of nothing. So, if he’s telling us to read this it would behoove all of us to indulge. The novel allocates various works of art across all mediums to disclose the secrets and patterns of the creative process.
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