Barack Obama shares a new playlist curated by Chance the Rapper, Nick Offerman and more

Everything from Kanye West to Frank Sinatra is represented.
Barack Obama shares a new playlist curated by Chance the Rapper, Nick Offerman and more
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 11: President Barack Obama speaks at the opening Keynote during the 2016 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival at Long Center on March 11, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for SXSW) Credit: Neilson Barnard; Getty Images for SXSW

He might not have accepted the gig as Spotify's President of Playlists, but that isn't stopping Barack Obama from curating songs to get you through any situation.

In partnership with The Obama Foundation, the former president is calling upon some famous faces (and you) to share songs that represent your hometown. And of course, Chicago is up first.

The playlist includes selections from Windy City ambassador Chance the Rapper, Mavis Staples, Jennifer Hudson, and Dan Aykroyd -- but also does not ignore other movers and shakers of the city. Many of Obama's former staffers share their own songs, as well as authors, chefs, and Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria.

An eclectic mix of folks means an eclectic playlist is hard to avoid. Songs from Kanye West to Frank Sinatra to Liz Phair are represented on the playlist. Each person wrote a bit about the song they selected.

"My #1 Chicago band will always be Wilco, but this playlist makes me think of my years with the Defiant Theatre in the ’90s, when our work was deeply inspired by Tom Waits," comedian Nick Offerman wrote about "Get Behind The Mule & Come On Up To The House" by Tom Waits.

Chance the Rapper wrote about how "Family Matters" by Kanye West is his perfect song to return home to. "It reminds me how important it is to be home. This is the last song on the first album I ever bought. For all the great people in Chicago, the best ones are your family."

You can read more about each selection here, and check out the collaborative playlist below.

Chicago is just the first city on the map to get a collaborative playlist. Until those roll out over the next few weeks, you can let The Obama Foundation know what songs remind you of your hometown here.

Topics Barack Obama

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