The complete list of books, movies, and songs chosen by the former vice president
Barack Obama has once again surprised the public with his now traditional annual selection of cultural recommendations. As he does every year, the former US president has revealed his favorite books, movies, and songs of 2025 on social media. Among the musical artists featured this year are Spanish-speaking figures such as Rosalía, as well as Latinos Mora, De La Rose, Xavi, and Manuel Turizo.
Catalan singer Rosalía is back on Obama’s list, but this time with her song“Sexo, Violencia y Llantas”. Meanwhile, Latin duo Mora and De La Rose also caught the former president’s attention with their song Aurora, whileXavi and Manuel Turizo made their mark with En Privado, proving that Hispanic talent is no longer just a trend.
Obama’s favorite songs in 2025:
- Nice to Each Other — Olivia Dean
- Luther — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
- Tatata — Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott
- Jump — BLACKPINK
- Faithless — Bruce Springsteen
- Pasayadan — Ganavya
- 99 — Olamidé ft. Daecolm, Seyi Vibez, Asake & Young Jonn
- Pending — Lil Naay & Myke Towers
- Sexo, Violencia y Llantas — Rosalía
- Metal — The Beths
- Abracadabra — Lady Gaga
- Just Say Dat — Gunna
- The Giver — Chappell Roan
- Aurora — Mora & De La Rose
- Silver Lining — Laufey
- No More Old Men — Chance the Rapper & Jamila Woods
- Bury Me — Jason Isbell
- I Wish I Could Go Travelling Again — Stacey Kent
- Please Don’t Cry — Kacy Hill
- Stay — ROE
- Never Felt Better — Everything Is Recorded ft. Sampha & Florence Welch
- In the Name of Love — Victoria Noelle
- Ancient Light — I’m With Her
- Vitamina — Jombriel, DFZM & Jøtta
- Float — Jay Som ft. Jim Adkins
- Ordinary — Alex Warren
- Sycamore Tree — Khamari
- Nokia — Drake
- En Privado — Xavi & Manuel Turizo
- Not in Surrender — Obongjayar
Obama’s complete music selection is not limited to Hispanic artists: the list includes nearly thirty songs combining pop, hip hop, soul and alternative music, with renowned singers such as Lady Gaga, Drake, BLACKPINK, Kendrick Lamar and Bruce Springsteen.
As for cinema, Obama has highlighted eleven films of different genres and origins. These include works by renowned directors such as Paul Thomas Anderson, Joachim Trier, Chloé Zhao, and Park Chan-wook.
