As delegates joyfully cast their ceremonial votes for Vice President Kamala Harris to be their presidential nominee at Tuesday night's Democratic National Convention, a dancing DJ played a new song for each state from the stage.
DJ Cassidy, the Californian wearing an electric blue suit, stole the show.
The 43-year-old Los Angeles native, whose given name is Cassidy Podell, returned to the Democratic National Convention stage on Tuesday 12 years after becoming the first disc jockey to perform at the quadrennial convention. He also DJ’d the last Democratic National Convention in 2020, an entirely virtual event due to the pandemic, where Cassidy performed in his signature wide-brimmed hat and colorful suit jacket from his home.
In a video previously posted to Instagram, Cassidy greeted singer Patti LaBelle, who kicked off the evening's events with a rendition of “You Are My Friend.”
Cassidy has frequently performed on the celebrity circuit, including as a DJ at Beyoncé and Jay Z's wedding. He also composed the soundtrack for the Obama family's birthday parties.
With images of Cassidy gyrating and dancing on stage and Lil Jon rapping in the hallways of the convention hall, the Democratic Party attempted to shake up the ballot list on Tuesday.
And some listeners thought it was great.
“I loved that DJ Cassidy played authentic music for each state during the DNC roll call,” Magic Johnson posted on X. “He did great tonight!”
The musical selections created a festive mood among the thousands of delegates gathered at the United Center and reflected interesting choices. For California, Harris’ home state and the last to cast its delegate votes, Cassidy played a medley of hits: “The Next Episode” by Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg; “California Love” by 2Pac and Dr. Dre; and “Alright” and “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar.
Some of the songs were a perfect fit, as they featured musicians from their home states. Others were odd because the lyrical message didn't align with Democratic values. Some selections had an inspirational tone about the possibility of electing a woman of color to the highest office in the country. Others were completely absurd.
Here is a selection of the songs and artists chosen by various states and categories.
Pairings that made sense:
Arkansas — “Don't Stop” by Fleetwood Mac, a reference to President (and former Arkansas governor) Clinton, who used it as a campaign song in 1992.
Idaho — “Private Idaho” by The B-52s. No more needs to be said.
Minnesota — Prince’s “Kiss” and “1999,” a native of the state, launched his music career there and continued to reside there even after achieving worldwide fame.
New Mexico — “Confident” by Demi Lovato, who was born in Albuquerque.
Pennsylvania: “Motownphilly” by Boyz II Men and “Black & Yellow” by Pittsburgh native Wiz Khalifa.
Titles and/or artists that made sense but the message seemed insensitive:
Alabama — “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. While the title contains the state’s name, the lyrics were a response to Neil Young’s songs that the band said blamed the South for the brutality of slavery. The song was particularly incongruous since the state’s Democratic leaders talked about Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement before announcing their delegates’ votes in support of Harris.
New Jersey — “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen. The boss is a native son, but while the title of this song sounds like a patriotic anthem, the lyrics are about a young man sent to fight in Vietnam and his travails once he returns home.
