On what was a raucous, joyous night inside the hall, the roll call at the 2024 Democratic National Convention set social media abuzz with the innovative use of a live DJ and music to introduce each state and territory.
During night two of the Chicago convention, DJ Cassidy took on the role of setting up each state and territory with short intro music, as each representative got a chance to talk up their home before declaring their delegates. The song choices ranged from expected (“Empire State of Mind” for New York, “I’m Shipping up to Boston” for Massachusetts), to some truly inspired choices (“Raise Up” by Petey Pablo for North Carolina and “The Way I Are” by Timbaland for Virginia).
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Stealing the show, though, was Georgia, which flexed by having Lil Jon perform “Turn Down for What” live inside Chicago’s United Center. In his surprise performance, he rapped the words “turn out for what” and also mixed in “Get Low,” replacing the song lyrics “To the windows, to the walls” with “Kamala Harris, Governor Walz!”
“The soundtrack for our roll call represented the broad coalition of supporters rallying behind the Harris-Walz ticket all across the country,” said convention spokesperson Emily Soong in a statement sent to The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday. “The selected songs reflected a diversity of genres and artists and were chosen to celebrate the unique character of all 57 delegations as they rally around Vice President Harris and Governor Walz’s nominations.”
The event was designed for both the audience in the arena and the millions of viewers watching at home, also with its coordinated lighting with PixMob bracelets and an official-yet-celebratory tone from DNC Secretary Jason Rae, who led the roll call.The speakers, music and props were chosen in coordination with state delegations, per a convention source.
Once California put Harris over the top, the program flipped to a shot of Harris and Gov. Tim Walz live in Milwaukee, where they were headlining a 15,000-person rally at Fiserv Forum, the site of the 2024 Republican National Convention.The roll call, which began in Biden’s home state of Delaware, ended with remarks from California Gov. Gavin Newson sharing a personal testimony of working with Harris during her time as a prosecutor, Attorney General, Senator and Vice President. Meanwhile, surprise roll call celebrity guests included Spike Lee in New York, Sean Astin in Indiana and Eva Longoria in Texas.
Social media exploded in enthusiasm for the innovative approach for the roll call, with users feverishly wondering what the full song list was. Later on Tuesday night, a playlist appeared on Spotify featuring all 62 songs that were used.
In July, the Republican National Convention notably did not use music during its roll call, but the use of so many varied and popular songs by the DNC is a stark testament to persistent problems the Trump campaign has faced in its use of music. Whereas Kamala Harris kicked off her presidential bid with the use of Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” with express permission from the Grammy-winning superstar, Donald Trump has faced a series of cease-and0desist notices from several dozens of artists who do not want their music to be associated with his campaign, or for unauthorized use.
Indeed, the list of musicians who have publicly requested that the Trump campaign stop using their work is so lengthy that it has its own Wikipedia entry.
The full list of songs played during the DNC roll call follows.
Alabama: “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Alaska: “Feel It Still” by Portugal. The Man
American Samoa: “Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga
Arizona: “Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks
Arkansas: “Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac
California: “California Love” by Tupac and “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar
Colorado: “September” by Earth, Wind Fire
Connecticut: “Signed Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder
Delaware: “Higher Love” by Whitney Houston and Kygo
Democrats abroad: “Love Train” by The O’Jays
District of Columbia: “Let Me Clear My Throat” by DJ Kool
Florida: “Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty
Georgia: “Turn Down for What” by Lil John
Guam: “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter
Hawaii: “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars
Idaho: “Private Idaho” by The B-52s
Illinois: “Sirius” by The Alan Parsons Project
Indiana: “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson
Iowa: “Celebrate” by Kool & the Gang
Kansas: “Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas
Kentucky: “First Class” by Jack Harlow
Louisiana: “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled
Maine: “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon
Maryland: “Respect” by Aretha Franklin
Massachusetts: “I’m Shipping up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys
Michigan: “Lose Yourself” by Eminem
Minnesota: “Kiss” and “1999” by Prince
Mississippi: “Twisting the Night Away” by Sam Cooke
Missouri: “Good Luck, Babe” by Chappell Roan
Montana: “American Woman” by Lenny Kravitz
Nebraska: “Firework” by Katy Perry
Nevada: “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers
New Hampshire: “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
New Jersey: “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen
New Mexico: “Confident” by Demi Lovato
New York: “Empire State of Mind” by Jay Z and Alicia Keys
North Carolina: “Raise Up” by Petey Pablo
North Dakota: “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys
Ohio: “Green Light” by John Legend
Oklahoma: “Ain’t Goin Down” by Garth Brooks
Oregon: “Float On” by Modest Mouse
Pennsylvania: “Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa and “Motownphilly” by Boyz II Men
Puerto Rico: “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee
Rhode Island: “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
South Carolina: “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” by James Brown
South Dakota: “What I Like About You” by The Romantics
Tennessee: “9 To 5” by Dolly Parton
Texas: “Texas Hold ‘Em” by Beyoncé
Utah: “Animal” by Neon Trees
Vermont: “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan
Virginia: “The Way I Are” by Timbaland
Washington: “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore
West Virginia: “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
Wisconsin: “Jump Around” by House of Pain
Wyoming: “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas
Virgin Islands: “VI to the Bone” by Mic Love
Jackie Strause contributed to this story.
Aug. 21, 10:50 a.m.: This story has been updated with a campaign statement and additional roll call details.
