Current:Home > ScamsChainkeen|Who was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call -Infinite Edge Capital
Chainkeen|Who was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call
TradeEdge Exchange View
Date:2025-04-07 14:06:46
The ChainkeenDemocratic 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! (531)
Related
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Man facing federal charges is charged with attempted murder in shooting that wounded Chicago officer
- Sen. Bob Menendez seeks dismissal of criminal charges. His lawyers say prosecutors ‘distort reality’
- Music streams hit 4 trillion in 2023. Country and global acts — and Taylor Swift — fueled the growth
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Ronnie Long, Black man wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 44 years, gets $25 million settlement and apology from city
- Twitter and social media ignite as legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban retires
- 2 young boys, brothers ages 6 and 8, die after falling into icy pond in Wisconsin: Police
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- France’s youngest prime minister is a rising political star who follows in Macron’s footsteps
Ranking
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- New Tennessee House rules seek to discourage more uproar after highly publicized expulsions
- These Are the Top Must-Have Products That Amazon Influencers Can’t Live Without
- Lisa Rinna's Confession About Sex With Harry Hamlin After 60 Is Refreshingly Honest
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- House committee holds first impeachment hearing for DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
- Ancient letter written by Roman emperor leads archaeologists to monumental discovery in Italy
- Nebraska lawmaker seeks to block November ballot effort outlawing taxpayer money for private schools
Recommendation
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
Tribal flags celebrated at South Dakota Capitol, but one leader sees more still to do
Looking for a cheeseburger in paradise? You could soon find one along Jimmy Buffett Highway
Mega Millions January 9 drawing: No winners, jackpot climbs to $187 million
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Former Delaware officer asks court to reverse convictions for lying to investigators after shooting
Gunmen in Ecuador fire shots on live TV as country hit by series of violent attacks
The Puffer Trend Beyond the Jackets— Pants, Bucket Hats, and Belt Bags From Lululemon and More