It’s a December tradition like no other: Roasting Reading former President Barack Obama’s annual list of his favorite movies, books, and songs. This year’s selection includes a cut off Richard Russell’s Everything Is Recorded project, Olivia Dean’s “Nice to Each Other,” Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra,” Laufey’s “Silver Lining,” and BLACKPINK’s “Jump,” among others. (In a bipartisan show of force, Obama also chose one Drake song and one Kendrick song.)
You can check out the full list of tracks below. For Obama’s favorite books and movies of 2025, head here.
Barack Obama’s Favorite Music of 2025
Olivia Dean: “Nice to Each Other”
Kendrick Lamar: “Luther” [with SZA]
Burna Boy: “Tatata” [ft. Travis Scott]
BLACKPINK: “Jump”
Bruce Springsteen: “Faithless”
Ganavya: “Pasayadan”
Olamidé: “99” [ft. Daecolm, Seyi Vibez, Asake, Young John
Lil Naay and Myke Towers: “Pending”
Rosalía: “Sexo, Violencia, y Llantas”
The Beths: “Metal”
Lady Gaga: “Abracadabra”
Gunna: “Just Say Dat”
Chappell Roan: “The Giver”
Mora and De La Rose: “Aurora”
Laufey: “Silver Lining”
Chance the Rapper and Jamila Woods: “No More Old Men”
Jason Isbell: “Bury Me”
Stacey Kent: “I Wish I Could Go Traveling Again”
Kacy Hill: “Please Don’t Cry”
ROE: “Stay”
Everything Is Recorded: “Never Felt Better” [ft. Sampha, Florence Welch]
Victoria Noelle: “In the Name of Love”
I’m With Her: “Ancient Light”
Jombriel, DFZM, and Jøtta: “Vitamina”
Jay Som: “Float” [ft. Jimn Adkins]
Alex Warren: “Ordinary”
Khamari: “Syrcamore Tree”
Drake: “Nokia”
Xavi and Manuel Turizo: “En Privado”
Obongjayar: “Not In Surrender”
