Barack Obama is struggling with it.
On Thursday, Sept. 5, weeks after sharing his summer 2024 playlist on Instagram, the former president defended his choice to include Charli xcx’s “365” on it and insisted he’s a fan.
During his appearance on I’ve had enough podcast, Obama, 63, was asked if he “had or hit” with “Brother Summer.” He said he would “hit it”.
Barack Obama in Las Vegas in July 2024.
Ethan Miller/Getty
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“I just put on my playlist and ‘365’ is on it, and [Brat] is a great album,” he said, adding, “People sometimes wonder if I actually listen to all this music. As I testified before, I did. Charli xcx she knows what she’s doing.”
Obama also said he gets his daughters, Sasha and Malia, input on his musical choices. He explained that they are “undoubtedly a bit more up-to-date”.
“I got a bunch of young staff who will occasionally give recommendations,” he continued.
On August 12, Obama dropped his summer playlist, along with his summer reading list on Instagram.
“With summer winding down, I wanted to share some songs I’ve been listening to lately – and it wouldn’t be my playlist if it didn’t include an eclectic mix,” he wrote, listing the songs and artists he’s been enjoying. “I hope you find something new to listen to!”
His summer playlist was packed with current hits, including Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and Billie Eilish’s “CHIHIRO.”
Obama also balanced things out with throwbacks like Bob Dylan’s “Silvio,” The Supremes’ “Where Did Our Love Go” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones.
The former president is no stranger to sharing playlists. In November 2020, he released a playlist of “unforgettable songs” from his presidency ahead of the release of his memoirs.
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Charlie xcx.
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The “Brat summer” trend appeared in June after the release of Charli xcx’s album of the same name. Having “Brat Summer” means being an It Girl who makes everything look effortless in the process.
“You’re like that girl who’s a little messy and likes to have fun and maybe says some stupid things sometimes. Who feels alone but maybe has a breakdown,” Charli, 32, explained in a July TikTok.
“But in a way like parties through it, he’s very honest, very open. A little erratic. Like he does stupid things. But it’s a brat. You’re a brat. It’s a brat.”
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The concept of “Brat summer” became an even bigger cultural phenomenon in July following Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential race and his endorsement of Kamala Harris. Charli posted “kamala IS a brat” on X (formerly Twitter) that night, which was meant as a compliment.
Weeks later, she said New York magazine that she posted it as “something positive and lighthearted” and didn’t expect it to go viral the way it did.
“My music is not political. Everything I do in life comes back to my art,” added Charli. “Everything I say, wear, think, enjoy — everything comes back to my art. Politics does not feed my art.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education