Former U.S. President Barack Obama released his annual list of favorite songs for 2023 today (Dec. 29). Among his top picks are a few Latine artists, including Shakira, Karol G, Peso Pluma, and Indigo De Souza.
Obama’s highly-anticipated lists have become a pop culture staple. Each year, he shares his lists of favorite summer music, movies, books — and the most anticipated: his year roundup of songs.
Three songs by Latine artists made Obama’s Favorite Music of 2023 list. The first one listed is “TQG” by Karol G and Shakira. The two Colombian queens joined forces on the fierce track to seemingly slam their exes. While lyrically going in on past loves, Shakira and Karol G also built each other up. The collaboration peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Karol G later made history with her Mañana Será Bonito album. She became the first woman to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with an all-Spanish LP.
Obama also highlighted the “La Bebe” remix by Mexican reggaetonero Yng Lvcas and música mexicana superstar Peso Pluma. That marked Peso Pluma’s first time doing a reggaeton track after breaking through with corridos tumbados. The remix peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Back in October, Yng Lvcas talked with Remezcla about how the remix came together.
“[Peso Pluma] told me he liked the song, and we did the remix,” Yng Lvcas said. “We drank Hennessy. We smoked some blunts, and we wrote the song. The remix has shot to the sky.”
The third Latine artist that appears on Obama’s list is Indigo De Souza. He featured the Brazilian-American singer’s heartfelt ballad “Younger & Dumber.” The song was included on her album All of This Will End.