Caribbean National Weekly

Skillibeng and Bob Marley make former President Obama's 2024 Summer Playlist

By Sheri-kae McLeod··1 min read
Skillibeng and Bob Marley make former President Obama's 2024 Summer Playlist
Key Points(5)
  • Former President Barack Obama has once again unveiled his highly anticipated summer playlist, and this year, Jamaican artists Skillibeng and Bob Marley and the Wailers have made the cut.
  • In an Instagram post on Monday, Obama shared the tracks he's been enjoying this summer with his more than 36 million followers.
  • Among the featured songs is "Jump," a popular collaboration between dancehall artist Skillibeng, rapper Gunna and South African singer Tyla.
  • This marks the first time Skillibeng has been included on the former president's playlist, a significant milestone for the artist.
  • He recently performed the song with Gunna and Tyla at the BET Awards earlier this summer.

Former President Barack Obama has once again unveiled his highly anticipated summer playlist, and this year, Jamaican artists Skillibeng and Bob Marley and the Wailers have made the cut.

In an Instagram post on Monday, Obama shared the tracks he's been enjoying this summer with his more than 36 million followers. Among the featured songs is "Jump," a popular collaboration between dancehall artist Skillibeng, rapper Gunna and South African singer Tyla. This marks the first time Skillibeng has been included on the former president's playlist, a significant milestone for the artist.

He recently performed the song with Gunna and Tyla at the BET Awards earlier this summer. The song also earned Skillibeng his first Gold certification. The song was certified Gold in Canada on July 2, 2024, for combined sales and streams exceeding 40,000 units.

“Jump” has surpassed 114 million streams on Spotify, Skillibeng’s first song to reach 100 million streams on any platform.

Meanwhile, Bob Marley and the Wailers, who have been featured on Obama's playlist in previous years, returned to the list with their classic track "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)."

Other notable songs on Obama's 2024 summer playlist include H.E.R.’s “Process,” Tems’ “Love Me Jeje,” and Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em.”

“With summer winding down, I wanted to share some songs that I’ve been listening to lately – and it wouldn’t be my playlist if it didn’t include an eclectic mix,” Obama wrote in his post. “I hope you find something new to listen to!”

Obama's summer playlists have become a tradition eagerly awaited by the global entertainment industry. Last year, Toots and the Maytals' "Funky Kingston" was the only Jamaican single to make the list.

Related Stories

Come Alive returns on Emancipation Day with all-star local gospel acts

Come Alive returns on Emancipation Day with all-star local gospel acts

Jamaica meets Ghana on ‘RARRI’ new project by Juls, Projexx and Valiant

Jamaica meets Ghana on ‘RARRI’ new project by Juls, Projexx and Valiant

Vybz Kartel announces new album God & Time set for June release

Vybz Kartel announces new album God & Time set for June release

Jamaica pushes for bigger role in global film industry at LAB Studios showcase

Jamaica pushes for bigger role in global film industry at LAB Studios showcase