Barack Obama responds to criticism over Charli XCX song on his playlist

Barack Obama responds to claims he hasn’t listened to Charli XCX’s “365” on his playlist.

Former President Barack Obama addresses claims that he never listened to “365” by Charli XCX, affirming his genuine love for the track.

Barack Obama recently shut down critics who questioned whether he had actually listened to Charli XCX's song "365," which appeared on his 2024 summer playlist. The former president has been sharing his eclectic musical tastes with the public since 2015, but this year, some raised doubts about his knowledge of certain tracks, including "365." In a light-hearted response, Obama addressed the skepticism during a recent appearance on the I’ve Had It podcast.

Barack IS brat pic.twitter.com/wGCRaWyl1V

— I've Had It Podcast (@ivehaditpodcast) September 5, 2024

“You know, people like to question my playlists,” Obama said with a laugh. “But I listen to every single song. '365'? Yeah, I know it. It’s catchy!” He credited his daughters, Sasha and Malia, for helping him stay current with music trends, joking that they keep him from being “stuck in the past.” Obama’s playlists continue to reflect a broad range of genres, featuring artists like Billie Eilish, Bob Dylan, and Beyoncé alongside rising stars like Charli XCX.

The former president emphasized that his playlists aren’t just for show, noting, “I take my music seriously. If I put a song on there, I’m listening to it.” His summer playlist has become a cultural touchpoint, combining classic and contemporary music to connect listeners of all generations.