Who is DJ Cassidy, the Californian who led that great (and strange) DNC playlist?
CHICAGO — While delegates gleefully cast their ceremonial votes for Vice President Kamala Harris to be their presidential nominee at Tuesday night’s Democratic National Convention, a dancing DJ spun a fresh song for each state from the stage.
DJ Cassidy, the Californian sporting an electric blue suit, stole the show.
The 43-year-old Angeleno, whose name is Cassidy Podell, returned to the DNC stage Tuesday 12 years after he became the first disc jockey to perform at the quadrennial convention. He also deejayed the last DNC in 2020, an entirely virtual affair because of the pandemic, where Cassidy performed in his quintessential wide-brimmed hat and colorful suit jacket from home.
In a video posted earlier on Instagram, Cassidy greeted singer Patti LaBelle, who kicked off the evening’s events with a rendition of “You Are My Friend.”
Cassidy has frequently played the celebrity circuit, including deejaying at Beyoncé and Jay Z’s wedding. He also set the soundtrack for Obama family birthday parties.
Former President Obama, speaking tonight at the DNC, presented Vice President Kamala Harris as a new agent of change agent against Republican fear and mistrust.
With images of Cassidy spinning and dancing on the stage and Lil Jon rapping in the aisles of the convention hall, the Democratic Party tried to shake up the roll call of votes on Tuesday.
And some listeners thought it was great.
“I loved that DJ Cassidy played authentic music for every state during the DNC roll call,” Magic Johnson posted on X. “He turned it out tonight!”
The music selections created a party-like atmosphere among the thousands of delegates gathered in the United Center, and reflected interesting choices. For California, Harris’ home and the final state to cast the votes of its delegates, Cassidy played a mix of hits — “The Next Episode” by Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg; “California Love” by 2Pac and Dr. Dre; and “Alright” and “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar.
Some were natural fits, featuring musicians from their home states. Others struck odd notes because the message of the lyrics didn’t match Democratic values. Some selections struck an inspirational tone about the prospect of electing a woman of color to the nation’s highest office. Others were completely nonsensical.
From Creedence to Adele to Springsteen, when the GOP misreads the meaning of songs used at campaign events, irony ensues.
Here’s a selection of the songs and artists chosen by various states and categories.
Pairings that made sense:
Arkansas — “Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac, a reference to President (and former Arkansas governor) Clinton, who used this as a campaign song in 1992.
Idaho — “Private Idaho” by The B-52s. Enough said.
Minnesota — “Kiss” and “1999” by Prince, a native of the state who launched his musical career there and remained a resident even after he achieved worldwide fame.
New Mexico — “Confident” by Demi Lovato, who was born in Albuquerque.
Pennsylvania — “Motownphilly” by Boyz II Men and “Black & Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa, who hails from Pittsburgh.
Titles and/or artists that made sense but the message seemed tone-deaf:
Alabama — “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. While the title contains the state’s name, the lyrics were in response to a song by Neil Young that decried the legacy of slavery in the Jim Crow South. The song was particularly incongruous as the state’s Democratic leaders’ spoke about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement before they announced their delegates’ votes in support of Harris.
New Jersey — “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen. The Boss is a native son, but while title of this song seems like a patriotic anthem, the lyrics are about a young man sent to fight in Vietnam and his tribulations once he returns home.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
