Barack Obama Doubles Down on Charli xcx Fandom, CallsBrata 'Great Album'

Mar. 15, 2025

Barack Obama; Charli xcx.Photo:Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Barack Obamais bumpin' that.

On Thursday, Sept. 5, weeks after sharing his2024 summer playlistonInstagram, the former president defended his choice of includingCharli xcx’s song “365” on it and insisted that he’s a fan.

During his appearance on theI’ve Had Itpodcast, Obama, 63, was asked if he “had it or hit it” with"Brat summer.“He said he would “hit” it.

Barack Obama in Las Vegas in July 2024.Ethan Miller/Getty

Ethan Miller/Getty

“I just put out my playlist, and ‘365’ is on it, and [Brat] is a great album,” he said, adding: “People question sometimes whether I’m actually listening to all this music. As I’ve testified before, I am. Charli xcx she knows what she’s doing.”

Obama also said that he gets input on his music choices from his daughters,Sasha and Malia. He explained that they are “undeniably a little more up to speed.”

“I got a bunch of young staff who will occasionally make recommendations,” he continued.

Obama dropped his summer playlist on Aug. 12, along with his summer reading liston Instagram.

“With summer winding down, I wanted to share some songs that I’ve been listening to lately – and it wouldn’t be my playlist if it didn’t include an eclectic mix,” he wrote, listing songs and artists he’s been enjoying. “Hope you find something new to listen to!”

His summer playlist was packed with current hits, includingBeyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” andBillie Eilish’s “CHIHIRO.”

The former president is no stranger to sharing playlists. In November 2020,he posted a playlist of “memorable songs"from his presidency ahead of his memoir’s release.

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Charli xcx.Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty

Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty

The “Brat summer” trend surfaced in June upon the release of Charli xcx’salbum of the same name. To have a “Brat summer” is to be an It Girl who makes it look effortless in the process.

“You’re just like that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes. Who feels herself but maybe also has a breakdown,” Charli, 32. explained in a JulyTikTok.

“But kind of like parties through it, is very honest, very blunt. A little bit volatile. Like does dumb things. But it’s brat. You’re brat. That’s brat.”

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The concept of “Brat summer” became an even bigger cultural phenomenon in July followingJoe Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidentialrace and his endorsement ofKamala Harris. Charli had posted “kamala IS brat” onX (formerly Twitter)that evening, meaning it as a compliment.

Weeks later, she toldNew Yorkmagazinethat she posted it as “something positive and lighthearted” and didn’t expect it to go viral the way that it did.

“My music is not political. Everything I do in my life feeds back into my art,” Charli added. “Everything I say, wear, think, enjoy — it all funnels back into my art. Politics doesn’t feed my art.”

source: people.com