Current:Home > reviewsWho was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call -AssetScope
Who was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call
View
Date:2025-04-17 02:43:05
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! (95646)
Related
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- A list of mass killings in the United States this year
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs again requests release from jail, but with new conditions
- Federal Regulators Inspect a Mine and the Site of a Fatal Home Explosion Above It
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Florida’s abortion vote and why some women feel seen: ‘Even when we win, we lose’
- Man accused of stabbing at least 5 people in Seattle ordered held on $2M bail
- Alabama vs LSU live updates: Crimson Tide-Tigers score, highlights and more from SEC game
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- ACLU asks Arizona Supreme Court to extend ‘curing’ deadline after vote-count delays
Ranking
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Florida’s abortion vote and why some women feel seen: ‘Even when we win, we lose’
- Federal Regulators Inspect a Mine and the Site of a Fatal Home Explosion Above It
- The Boy Scouts inspired Norman Rockwell. His works will now help pay abuse survivors
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- Arizona Republican lawmaker Justin Heap is elected recorder for the state’s most populous county
- Trump made gains in heavily Hispanic areas all over the map. Here’s how he did it
- Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie pledges to make San Francisco safer as mayor
Recommendation
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
The Best Lipstick, Lip Gloss & Lip Stain for Every Zodiac Sign
Woman charged with murder in disappearance of roommate, who was last seen Christmas Day 2022
Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant out at least two weeks with left calf strain
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
Trump made gains in heavily Hispanic areas all over the map. Here’s how he did it
New LA police chief sworn in as one of the highest-paid chiefs in the US
With Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase leading way, Bengals running out of time to save season