Current:Home > reviewsWho was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call -ProsperityStream Academy
Who was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call
View
Date:2025-04-11 23:21:41
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! (92)
Related
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- All new cars in the EU will be zero-emission by 2035. Here's where the U.S. stands
- As Passover nears, New York's AG warns Jewish customers about car wash price gouging
- Derek Chauvin to ask U.S. Supreme Court to review his conviction in murder of George Floyd
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- As Lake Powell Hits Landmark Low, Arizona Looks to a $1 Billion Investment and Mexican Seawater to Slake its Thirst
- A train carrying ethanol derails and catches fire in Minnesota, evacuation lifted
- Tornado damages Pfizer plant in North Carolina, will likely lead to long-term shortages of medicine
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Tarte Cosmetics Flash Deal: Get $140 Worth of Products for Just $24
Ranking
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Senate Judiciary Committee advances Supreme Court ethics bill amid scrutiny of justices' ties to GOP donors
- As Lake Powell Hits Landmark Low, Arizona Looks to a $1 Billion Investment and Mexican Seawater to Slake its Thirst
- Titanic Actor Lew Palter Dead at 94
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Derek Chauvin to ask U.S. Supreme Court to review his conviction in murder of George Floyd
- NFL owners unanimously approve $6 billion sale of Washington Commanders
- With Trump Gone, Old Fault Lines in the Climate Movement Reopen, Complicating Biden’s Path Forward
Recommendation
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Biden’s Bet on Electric Vehicles Is Drawing Opposition from Republicans Who Fear Liberal Overreach
Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger Is Engaged to Thom Evans
State line pot shops latest flashpoint in Idaho-Oregon border debate
The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
Coal Powered the Industrial Revolution. It Left Behind an ‘Absolutely Massive’ Environmental Catastrophe
Official concedes 8-year-old who died in U.S. custody could have been saved as devastated family recalls final days
Disney World board picked by DeSantis says predecessors stripped them of power