Current:Home > reviewsWho was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call -EliteFunds
Who was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call
View
Date:2025-04-18 09:35:31
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! (831)
Related
- Bodycam footage shows high
- 80-year-old man dies after falling off boat on the Grand Canyon's Colorado River
- Family of Grand Canyon flash flood victim raises funds for search team: 'Profoundly grateful'
- Marathon Match: Longest US Open match since at least 1970 goes a grueling 5 hours, 35 minutes
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- GM delays Indiana electric vehicle battery factory but finalizes joint venture deal with Samsung
- GM delays Indiana electric vehicle battery factory but finalizes joint venture deal with Samsung
- Adam Sandler Responds to Haters of His Goofy Fashion
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Meghan Markle Shares One Way Royal Spotlight Changed Everything
Ranking
- Bet365 ordered to refund $519K to customers who it paid less than they were entitled on sports bets
- Lil Rod breaks silence on lawsuit against Sean 'Diddy' Combs: 'I'm being punished'
- 'After Baywatch': Carmen Electra learned hard TV kissing lesson with David Chokachi
- 'Very demure' creator Jools Lebron says trademark situation has been 'handled'
- Family of explorer who died in the Titan sub implosion seeks $50M-plus in wrongful death lawsuit
- Tristan Thompson Celebrates “Twin” True Thompson’s Milestone With Ex Khloe Kardashian
- Who aced the NHL offseason? Grading all 32 teams on their moves
- Militia group member sentenced to 5 years in prison for Capitol riot plot
Recommendation
Eva Mendes Shares Message of Gratitude to Olympics for Keeping Her and Ryan Gosling's Kids Private
Surging Methane Emissions Could Be a Sign of a Major Climate Shift
Full of battle scars, Cam McCormick proudly heads into 9th college football season
Julianne Hough Says Ex Brooks Laich Making Her Feel Like a “Little Girl” Contributed to Their Divorce
Kourtney Kardashian Cradles 9-Month-Old Son Rocky in New Photo
Soccer Player Juan Izquierdo Dead at 27 After Collapsing on the Field
Golden Globes tap Nikki Glaser to be the telecast’s next host
'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2: Release date, how to watch, stream