Sask. musician Andy Shauf among Canadians on Obama’s summer playlist

Saskatchewan singer-songwriter Andy Shauf has landed a spot on former U.S. president Barack Obama’s coveted summer playlist.

The track Neon Skyline, from Shauf’s newest album of the same name, joined a selection of songs from powerhouse acts that include Billie Holiday, Sheryl Crow, Billie Eilish and Beyoncé.

Each summer, Obama unveils a selection of his favourite songs of the season.

While most of the artists are household names, he usually leaves room to showcase a few lesser-known acts.

Neon Skyline is a particularly Canadian song choice, though, because its storyline unravels inside the Skyline Restaurant, a real-life diner in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood.

Shauf, who was born in Estevan, Sask., has been a critical favourite in Canada for years. He was nominated for multiple Juno Awards and The Neon Skyline landed on the long list of Polaris Prize contenders for this year’s best album.

Fellow Canadian artists Drake and Partynextdoor also showed up on Obama’s list.

Both of them shared billing on Popcaan’s track Twist & Turn, while Drake was also featured for his part of Rihanna’s megahit Work.

Partynextdoor, who is Mississauga, Ont.-raised rapper Jahron Brathwaite, made a second appearance for his solo effort PGT, taken from his 2020 album, Partymobile.

CBC