Former American President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have been married for 31 years. They celebrated their wedding anniversary on October 3, 2023.
Obama took to his official social media pages to mark the special occasion. He shared a photo of himself and Michelle with the caption:
“Happy anniversary, sweetheart! @MichelleObama, you’re brilliant, kind, funny, and beautiful—and I’m lucky to call you mine.”
Just like all such celebrations, the 44th American President and his wife are expected to have a good time behind the scenes, and music will play a part.
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A lover of Afrobeats, the sensational music genre that mixes traditional African sounds and funk, Obama’s wedding anniversary will not be complete without its tingling sound.
Over the last three years, the former United States President has always included some Afrobeats stars in his playlists. Burna Boy, Shatta Wale, Wizkid, Tems, and Buju have been featured.
Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have been married for over three decades Photo source: Instagram/@michellleobama
Based on his previous playlists, we take a look at some of Obama’s favorite Afrobeats songs which could feature prominently as he celebrates 31 years of marriage.
1. Sitting On Top Of The World – Burna Boy feat 21 Savage
Burna Boy’s joint with American rapper 21 Savage featured on Obama’s 2023 Summer playlist. The song is off Burna Boy’s seventh album, I Told Them, which made history on the UK Charts.
2. Sability – Ayra Starr
Nigerian singer Ayra Starr’s Sability was the second Afrobeats song on Obama’s 2023 list.
Released in 2023, Sability is one of the singles off Ayra Starr’s Sability album.
3. Essence – Wizkid feat Tems and Justin Bieber
Wizkid’s Essence, featuring Tems and Justin Bieber, was one of Obama’s favorites in 2022. The original song was part of Wizkid’s Made In Lagos album, released in 2020.
4. Already – Beyoncé feat Shatta Wale and Major Lazer
One of the songs on Beyoncé’s 2019 Lion King: The Gift album, Already featured Ghana’s Shatta Wale and Jamaican-American group, Major Lazer.
It was one of Barack Obama’s favorites in 2020, making it the first appearance on his playlist for the Ghanaian Dancehall musician.
5. Iron Man – Rema
Nigerian singer and the first winner of the recently added MTV VMAs Afrobeats category, Rema, was one of the artistes on Obama’s 2019 playlists.
His song Iron Man, off the eponymous Rema EP, made the cut.
Burna Boy and Fireboy DML win BMI Awards
Meanwhile, two of Afrobeats’ most acclaimed stars, Burna Boy and Fireboy DML, were named among the winners at the 2023 BMI London Awards.
The Nigerian stars received the ‘Most Performed Work of the Year’ awards presented to over 20 songs.
The award comes after Last Last hitmaker was announced as headliner for the 2023 AfroNation festival scheduled for December in his home country of Nigeria.