Current:Home > FinanceWho was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call -Wealth Navigators Hub
Who was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call
View
Date:2025-04-27 18:09:42
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! (3629)
Related
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Bodies of 2 kayakers recovered from Sheyenne River in North Dakota
- US Army soldier accused of selling sensitive military information changes plea to guilty
- Investigation finds at least 973 Native American children died in abusive US boarding schools
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Senate set to pass bill designed to protect kids from dangerous online content
- Frederick Richard next poster athlete for men's gymnastics after team bronze performance
- Detroit mother gets 35+ years in prison for death of 3-year-old son found in freezer
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- More ground cinnamon recalled due to elevated levels of lead, FDA says
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's Son Pax Hospitalized With Head Injury After Bike Accident
- The top prosecutor where George Floyd was murdered is facing backlash. But she has vowed to endure
- What to watch for the Paris Olympics: Simone Biles leads US in gymnastics final Tuesday, July 30
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Researchers face funding gap in effort to study long-term health of Maui fire survivors
- Atlanta pulls off stunner, get Jorge Soler back from Giants while paying entire contract
- Madden 25 ratings reveal: Tyreek Hill joins 99 club, receiver and safety rankings
Recommendation
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
Wayfair’s Black Friday in July Sale Ends Tonight! How To Get 80% off While You Still Can
Here’s what to know about what’s next for Olympic triathlon in wake of Seine River water quality
The best way to watch the Paris Olympics? Hint: It isn't live.
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
How Stephen Nedoroscik Became Team USA's Pommel Horse Hero
Police recruit who lost both legs in ‘barbaric hazing ritual’ sues Denver, paramedics and officers
US women beat Australia, win bronze, first Olympics medal in rugby sevens