"Getting a shoutout from Barack is such a flex" — Internet reacts to Obama saying Charli XCX "knows what she’s doing"

Netizens recently reacted to Barack Obama officially endorsing Charlie XCX and 'brat summer' - a term popularized by the British pop icon. The former United States President raved about Charlie XCX's new album, Brat, during an appearance on the I've Had It podcast released on Thursday (September 5).

In one segment with hosts Angie 'Pumps' Sullivan and Jennifer Welch, Obama was asked to weigh in on a variety of subjects. The 63-year-old had to choose whether he "had it" or "hit it," i.e., expressing disapproval or satisfaction.

“Had it or hit it: Brat summer?” asked the hosts to Obama.

The former President replied:

“Hit it. I just put out my playlist, and ‘365’ is on it. And it is a great album. Charli XCX, she knows what she’s doing.”

Fans raved about the support Charlie XCX got from the former President. Some of the popular reactions on X:

"Getting a shoutout from Barack is such a flex," commented one fan on X.

One person commented:

"365 is the best song of the album"

Another wrote:

She knows what she's doing.

One fan lauded the fact that Barack Obama came out to support the artist he liked, stating:

"It’s cool to see someone like Obama not just acknowledging Charli XCX’s talent but also showing he genuinely keeps up with music. It’s always great when influential figures highlight the artists they enjoy!" opined the fan.

"i have such a hard time imagining him listening to this," opined another.

"now he needs to listen to arca," commented another netizen on X.

"Barack Obama's music taste is always on point, and '365' by Charli XCX is no exception - keep on listening, Mr. President!" declared one fan.

Charlie XCX inadvertently became a part of Kamala Harris' Presidential race in July when she tweeted, "Kamala IS brat." Kamala Harris' legal team was quick to endorse the artist and rebrand the KamalaHQ X account with a header inspired by the singer's album cover. However, Charlie XCX has since revealed that she never wanted to be a part of the election conundrum.

In an August 2024 interview with Vulture, she said:

“Did I think me talking about being a mess b#tch and, like partying and needing a Bic lighter and a pack of Marlboro Lights would end up on CNN? No. I’m not Bob Dylan and I’ve never pretended to be… My music is not political. Everything I do in my life feeds back into my art. Everything I say, wear, think, enjoy — it all funnels back into my art. Politics doesn’t feed my art.”

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Charlie XCX, Billie Eilish, Beyonce, and other artists featured in Barack Obama's 2024 Summer Playlist

2024 Democratic National Convention - Source: Getty (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Barack Obama unveiled his 2024 Summer Playlist featuring works of several juggernauts of the industry on August 12. The former President took to X to share his collection of songs, writing:

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. I hope you find something new to listen to!"

The playlist contains a mix of music from a multitude of genres. Some songs include Shaboozey's A Bar Song (Tipsy) which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100, Charli XCX's 365, Beyonce's Texas Hold'Em, and Billie Eilish's Chihiro.

Other artists featured on the list include Norah Jones, Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, Bad Bunny, Bob Marley, The Rolling Stones, Tommy Richman, Charles Mingus, Etta James, etc.