As we ease into the last few weeks of summer, President Barack Obama has shared two Spotify playlists packed with what are apparently his favorite warm weather jams--and they may be the most Okayplayer-ish governmental operations in history. Packed with joints from D'Angelo & Lauryn Hill, Mos Def, Erykah Badu, Raphael Saadiq, Nina Simone and more, the two playlists give us the impression that Barry O is more than down with the Soulquarian scene. Given the list, it's actually astonishing that he didn't just throw in a proper J Dilla track as the cherry on top.
Obama's "Day" playlist is decidedly upbeat, opening with The Temptations classic "Ain't Too Proud To Bg" and carrying on through a great assortment of vintage and not-so-vintage soul. Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and Nappy Roots all rub elbows on the playlist, which closes out via the wild rhythms of Sonora Carruseles's "La Salsa La Traigo Yo." But of course, the night time is the right time, and on Obama's second playlist, plenty of familiar faces comes out to play. Mos Def's "Umi Says" and Beyonce's Frank Ocean collaboration "Superpower" get prime placement, as does Badu's "Woo." Who would have thought the leader of the free world was so damn down? Listen to both playlists for yourself and enjoy--that's an executive order.
"Day"
"Night"
