Current:Home > reviewsFastexy Exchange|Who was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call -Summit Capital Strategies
Fastexy Exchange|Who was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call
NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-09 07:16:01
The Fastexy ExchangeDemocratic 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! (55)
Related
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Olympic rings mounted on the Eiffel Tower ahead of Summer Games
- Overnight fire damages or destroys about 15 boats at a Nevada marina
- A Christian group teaches public school students during the school day. Their footprint is growing
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- 'A dignity that all Americans should have': The fight to save historically Black cemeteries
- Classic Japanese film 'Seven Samurai' returns to movie theaters in July with 4K restoration
- These Fascinating Secrets About Reese Witherspoon Will Make You Want to Bend and Snap
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Caitlin Clark expected to be off star-packed USA Basketball national team Olympic roster, reports say
Ranking
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Living and Dying in the Shadow of Chemical Plants
- Republican contenders for Mitt Romney’s open US Senate seat face off in Utah debate
- Attacks in Russian-occupied Ukrainian regions leave 28 dead, Moscow-backed officials say
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- If your pet eats too many cicadas, when should you see the vet?
- Biden says democracy begins with each of us in speech at Pointe du Hoc D-Day memorial
- National Weather Service forecasts more sweltering heat this week for Phoenix and Las Vegas areas
Recommendation
Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
Colombia demolishes USMNT in Copa América tune-up. It's 'a wake-up call.'
Where the Water Doesn’t Flow: Thousands Across Alabama Live Without Access to Public Water
World War II veteran weds near Normandy's D-Day beaches. He's 100 and his bride is 96
Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
Nike drops 'Girl Dad' sneakers inspired by the late Kobe Bryant. See what they look like
Getting death threats from aggrieved gamblers, MLB players starting to fear for their safety
Rodeo bull hops fence at Oregon arena, injures 3 before being captured