The South African Grammy winner’s collaboration with Zara Larsson has earned a place on one of the world’s most influential annual music playlists.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Running Africa) – Grammy Award-winning South African singer Tyla has added another major achievement to her remarkable rise on the global stage after earning a place on former US President Barack Obama’s 2026 Summer Playlist.
The annual playlist, eagerly anticipated by music fans around the world, was shared by Barack Obama with his millions of followers across social media. The former US president described the carefully curated selection as a collection of songs he and former First Lady Michelle Obama have been listening to throughout the summer.
Tyla Featured Alongside Music’s Biggest Global Stars
Tyla’s latest single, “She Did It Again,” her collaboration with Swedish pop sensation Zara Larsson, is featured alongside an impressive lineup of international artists spanning multiple generations and genres.
The playlist includes contemporary stars such as Doechii, SZA, Vince Staples, Noah Kahan, and Anderson. Paak, while also celebrating legendary musicians including Marvin Gaye, David Bowie, Chaka Khan, The Beatles, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
The inclusion places Tyla among an elite group of globally recognized artists and further highlights her growing influence in international music.
Another Breakthrough Year for Tyla
Being featured on Barack Obama’s Summer Playlist caps another landmark year for the South African superstar.
In 2026, Tyla delivered a standout performance at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, appeared on the tournament’s official soundtrack, secured a voice role in the highly anticipated Toy Story 5, and headlined Morocco’s Mawazine Festival, one of Africa’s largest music events.
Each milestone has reinforced her reputation as one of the continent’s fastest-rising global entertainers and leading ambassadors for African music and Afropop.
Barack Obama’s Playlist Continues to Shape Global Music Trends
Over the years, Barack Obama’s annual summer playlists have become a highly influential cultural moment, regularly introducing emerging talent to millions of listeners while celebrating established music icons.
For artists, inclusion on the playlist often brings increased global visibility, streaming growth, and wider international recognition.
For Tyla, whose career has continued to break barriers since her Grammy-winning success, the latest recognition is another powerful endorsement of her expanding international appeal.
As the South African hitmaker continues to dominate global charts and major stages, her appearance on Barack Obama’s 2026 Summer Playlist further cements her status as one of Africa’s biggest music exports and one of the most influential artists shaping the future of contemporary pop and Afrobeats-inspired music.
