Former President Barack Obama has a new memoir coming out titled ‘The Promised Land’ and a corresponding playlist has been released. – By Stephanie Mwangi
Announcing in an Instagram post, Obama outlined how music influenced his time at the Oval Office.
“Music has always played an important role throughout my life—and that was especially true during my presidency. While reviewing my notes ahead of debates, I’d listen to Jay-Z’s,Eminem, Grace Obama, Beyonce’s songs in my playlist.”
The tracks are a mix of classic rock, jazz and hip-hop, including Beyoncé‘s ‘Halo’ and cover of Etta James‘ ‘At Last’, Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Rising’, Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’ and a tribute to his wife with ‘Michelle’ by The Beatles.
Obama went on to narrate how he invited artists to workshops at the White House.
“Throughout our time in the White House, Michelle and I invited artists like Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan to conduct afternoon workshops with young people before performing an evening show in the East Room.”
“And there were all sorts of performances I’ll always remember—like Beyoncé performing “At Last” for our first dance at our inauguration, Paul McCartney serenading Michelle in the East Room with, “Michelle” and Bob Dylan flashing me a grin before vanishing after his performance of “Times They Are a-Changin.”
The playlist is now online #APromisedLand.
