ELK GROVE, Calif. — Former U.S. President Barack Obama published Monday his summer playlist, and it featured a song with ties to Sacramento County.
Saweetie, an American rapper who attended Monterey Trail High School in Elk Grove, was featured on Obama’s short list with her song “My Best,” which released Aug. 1.
The music video for “My Best,” co-directed by Saweetie, was filmed at Monterey Trail on July 18. It has amassed nearly 430,000 views since being posted to YouTube almost two weeks ago.
In the single, Saweetie, 31, born Diamonté Harper, raps positively about self-worth. In the chorus, she appears to tell former companions they don’t deserve her at her best if they didn’t love her at her lowest.
“We were honored that she wanted to come back and film her inspirational music video at her alma mater, MTHS,” said Lisa Levasseur, an Elk Grove Unified School District spokeswoman. “Our high school students love and look up to Saweetie and they are extremely excited by the video and the song.”
In November 2021, Saweetie donated Butterball turkeys and Sprouts gift cards to families in the Monterey Trail community days after securing two Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Rap Song for “Best Friend,” featuring Doja Cat.
In 2023, she launched a youth financial literacy program through her nonprofit Icy Baby Foundation, according to Forbes. The foundation’s name bears resemblance to one of her most popular songs, “ICY GRL,” which released in 2017.
Saweetie slaps a phrase painted on the door frame as she exits Monterey Trail at the end of the “My Best” music video: “Never turn your back on what made you great.” Part of the video also features her rapping in a classroom.
“Saweetie chose the classroom,” Levasseur told ABC10. “She said this particular teacher made a huge positive difference in her life.”
Obama’s playlist features 44 songs and runs the gamut of artists from Charli XCX and Billie Eilish to Bob Dylan and Etta James.