Current:Home > reviewsWho was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call -GlobalTrade
Who was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call
View
Date:2025-04-16 21:50:14
The Democratic National Convention featured a musical roll call Tuesday night, and DJ Cassidy, a Grammy-nominated performer − and now the first "musical maestro" of a convention roll call − led the event while he introduced each musical artist and state.
Cassidy, a producer from California, according to LA Times, wore a shiny blue suit, a beige hat and square sunglasses when he welcomed the crowd to the DNC's roll call as "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge played.
"Now, we're going to pass the mic from state to state so that all our voices are heard all around the nation," said Cassidy.
'Do Something!':Michelle Obama lays into Trump and rallies DNC
DNC roll call songs
When Democrat delegates announced their votes to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic runner, Cassidy played a unique song representing each state.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Tennessee delegates jammed out to Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" while Texas took it to the floor with Houston-native Beyoncé's "Texas Hold 'Em."
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul bragged about the Empire State's historical significance over Jay Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State Of Mind." California Gov. Gavin Newsom later praised the Golden State over a mashup of Tupac Shakur's "California Love" and Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us."
Another Beyoncé song, "Freedom," played as Harris made another surprise appearance, accepting the party's nomination in a live broadcast from a campaign event she and running mate Tim Walz were attending in Wisconsin.
'California Love' to 'Texas Hold 'Em':DNC honors each state with unique songs
'Truly surreal'
Cassidy took a not "normally fun or cool" political event, as described by former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, and turned it into something grand, with fun music and dancing.
"The whole night was truly surreal," Cassidy told Psaki in an MSNBC interview.
The four weeks of "meticulous" planning went into setting up the DNC roll call.
The ceremonial roll call of the delegates happened on Tuesday, the second day of the Chicago convention.
Before this year, music had never been a part of a convention's roll call, said Cassidy. And that's a fact he "really had to wrap his mind around."
Who is DJ Cassidy?
DJ Cassidy is no stranger to political events or the Democratic party.
The DJ, who got his start playing at school functions, was called on when former President Barack Obama "needed a maestro," they called him to play at both of the president's inaugurations, his 50th birthday, and former First Lady Michelle Obama’s 50th birthday at the White House, according to Cassidy's website.
He's also played at events orchestrated by Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, the Kardashians and even performed at Jay-Z and Beyonce's wedding.
How did DJ Cassidy get his start?
The DJ fell in love with music at a young age. On his 10th birthday, "DJ Cassidy was born" when he asked his parents to get him two turntables and a mixer.
"His love of music and appreciation of sounds both classic and cutting-edge date back to age five when he discovered pivotal Hip Hop records like Run DMC's "Sucker MC's" and cult classic dance films like 'Breakin,'" states his website.
Every weekend, Cassidy would visit record stores, study vinyl sleeves and learn who wrote and produced his favorites.
The young DJ studied artists from across genres and vowed to play all kinds of music for people all over the world.
"DJ Cassidy’s career is the culmination of a lifetime of deejaying around the world, observing people react, and making people move," stated his website.
veryGood! (851)
Related
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Christopher Reeve’s kids wanted to be ‘honest, raw and vulnerable’ in new documentary ‘Super/Man’
- Horoscopes Today, October 11, 2024
- Ohio State and Oregon has more than Big Ten, College Football Playoff implications at stake
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Audit of Arkansas governor’s security, travel records from State Police says no laws broken
- Erin Andrews Reveals Why She's Nervous to Try for Another Baby
- Ultimate Guide to Cute and Affordable Athleisure: 14 Finds Under $60
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- What’s behind the northern lights that dazzled the sky farther south than normal
Ranking
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Audit of Arkansas governor’s security, travel records from State Police says no laws broken
- North Dakota’s abortion ban will remain on hold during court appeal
- Opinion: SEC, Big Ten become mob bosses while holding College Football Playoff hostage
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Becky G tour requirements: Family, '90s hip-hop and the Wim Hof Method
- JD Vance refused five times to acknowledge Donald Trump lost 2020 election in podcast interview
- Sister Wives Star Kody Brown’s Daughter Mykelti Lashes Out Against Him After Previous Support
Recommendation
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
North West proves she's mini Ye in Q&A with mom Kim Kardashian: 'That's not a fun fact'
Under $50 Necklaces We Can't Get Enough Of
Georgia election workers settle defamation lawsuit against conservative website
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
When will NASA launch Europa Clipper? What to know about long-awaited mission to Jupiter's moon
Ohio State and Oregon has more than Big Ten, College Football Playoff implications at stake
'I was very in the dark': PMDD can be deadly but many women go undiagnosed for decades