Inside the DNC Roll Call Playlist That Energized the Democratic Convention

Reviews are in for DJ Cassidy’s 75-minute DJ set at Tuesday night’s Democratic National Convention (DNC), and they’re from unexpected sources. Conservative commentator Meghan McCain commented, “I’m sorry but this #DNC2024 roll call with DJ Cassidy, themed state music and party/club atmosphere is blowing the RNC’s roll call out of the water. It looks like a giant party and celebration, and everyone in that room looks like they’re having a blast.”

Typically, the roll call section is a less spirited part of any political convention. However, the 2024 Democratic National Convention turned that notion on its head. Politico columnist Jeff Greenfield applauded the transformation, stating, “The convention managers deserve a Lifetime Achievement Emmy for turning what is usually the most boring part of a convention into an eye- and ear-catching spectacle.”

Credit for this goes to the decision to make DJ Cassidy more than just background music. Instead, he was the playlist host, selecting 57 songs for a 75-minute set, giving each state its own theme. The energy soared even higher when rapper Lil Jon joined to celebrate Georgia.

Cassidy, known for his “Pass the Mic” series, spoke with Variety about how the unique transformation happened. “I knew this was going to be a first because there had never been a roll call set to music before,” he explained. He didn’t expect it would evoke such strong emotions, stating, “I saw tweets and comments about people tearing up from the music. The whole purpose of the convention is to inspire people emotionally to get out and vote.”

The collaboration began immediately after Joe Biden passed the mic to Kamala Harris. Producer Ricky Kirshner approached Cassidy to be the first musical maestro of a convention roll call. Cassidy had history with Kirshner, having acted as the house band for the DNC in 2012 and during Joe Biden’s virtual inauguration in 2021.

The variety in the playlist showed off DJ Cassidy’s versatility. For instance, Florida’s theme was Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” while Illinois was represented by “Sirius,” the iconic Chicago Bulls theme by the Alan Parsons Project. Songs carried emotional and local significance, energizing each state’s delegation.

Cassidy had some significant support for his choices, such as Lil Jon’s high-energy performance for Georgia. “We wanted there to be one moment where I literally passed the mic to an iconic artist, and Lil Jon was perfect for Georgia,” Cassidy elaborated.

Some of the picks were collaborative efforts. For example, the delegates from Florida informed the producers about Tom Petty’s song being an anthem for their state. The playlist was a mix of universally recognizable tracks and nuanced local favorites.

The playlist ranged from up-tempo songs to slower, emotional tracks like Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” for Vermont. Cassidy noted, “Tempo doesn’t always matter. Slower songs had just as much emotion and energy as faster ones.”

Cassidy shared that the preparations involved meticulous curation for weeks. He worked collaboratively with the DNC and state representatives to ensure each song represented its state well.

Cassidy’s experience in political events goes back years, including DJing at Barack Obama’s inauguration and various celebrations. “After every event, I say, ‘This is the greatest night of my life.’ And somehow, it gets even better,” he remarked.

In conclusion, the unique musical roll call was a standout moment in the 2024 DNC, blending emotional engagement with high energy. DJ Cassidy’s set transformed a mundane political procedure into an inspiring and entertaining spectacle.

A user-generated compilation of songs from the playlist can be found on Spotify.