California Gov. Gavin Newsom and U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) join the California delegation as they cast their votes during the Ceremonial Roll Call of States on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024, in Chicago. | Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty
Look, I’m just going to say what a lot of people are thinking: Democrats didn’t have to go this hard with their DNC roll call Tuesday night.
On the second night of the Democratic National Convention, the party brought an abundance of flavor to what is often a bland and cheesy effort to bring entertainment to convention roll call votes. (Remember in 1996 when Democrats made America collectively cringe by awkwardly dancing to “Macarena” during roll call? Well, that—that didn’t happen this year.)
This year, DJ Cassidy served as the roll call’s MC, and he did a little something different for this year’s roll call by spinning a different song for each state and territory awarding their delegates to Vice President Kamala Harris. What came as a result looked and sounded less like a political event and more like a Black wedding reception…or a Black graduation party…or a Black church picnic…or a Black pep rally. Seriously, Cassidy kicked the playlist off with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” and it was still the Blackest thing I’ve ever seen happen on a convention stage since, well, save for Day 1 of the DNC when Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA) sent an HBCU shoutout to Harris, which, of course, angered a certain former Fox News acolyte.
Just look at how Tennessee Rep. Justin Pearson took everyone to church during his state’s roll call, which was scored by Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.”
During his state’s roll call at the DNC, Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson just shook the congregation.
So, in the spirit, we added an Ole Baptist organ to this for your viewing pleasure. pic.twitter.com/cP6tGZDvkI
— ESSENCE (@Essence) August 21, 2024
Check out the Pennsylvania pep rally vibes.
Pennsylvania’s passionate roll call wowwww
Governor Josh Shapiro
DJ Cassidy let’s go#DNC2024CHICAGO #DNC #DNCConvention #KamalaHarris pic.twitter.com/hLkLiO0S8p— Chris (@RealDealChris) August 21, 2024
The cookout vibes really came through when the DJ played Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” for Colorado, and when Cassidy spun Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” for Connecticut. Iowa delivered its delegate votes to the tune of Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration,” and Maryland came out to Aretha Franklin’s classic smash hit “Respect.” (NPR published the entire roll call track list in case you needed to add a few new playlists to your Spotify, or whatever.)
But we also have to talk about how the DNC took us to the early 2000s night club scene, especially in Georgia, where Lil Jon came through with a surprise appearance and reminded us why we call him the “King of Crunk” as he performed his hit “Turn Down For What.”
BREAKING: In a stunning opening, Lil Jon is doing roll call at the DNC Convention. Democrats have all the energy and momentum. pic.twitter.com/7ysAv4qg4x
— Kamala’s Wins (@harris_wins) August 21, 2024
Meanwhile, California damn near reenacted Dr. Dre’s Super Bowl LVI halftime show with a medley of West Coast hits, which included Dre’s “The Next Episode,” Tupac Shakur’s “California Love,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” and Kendrick’s relentless summer anthem “Not Like Us.” (Somebody should probably check on Drake. He might just become a Trump supporter at this point.)
Naturally, the DNC roll call had social media bubbling with excitement.
DNC Roll Call the states be slipping in random facts:
MR SECRETARY!! I COME TO YOU FROM MY STATE, WHERE WE INVENTED THE FREEWAY ON RAMP, CHEESE GRITS, AND THE CURE FOR GONORRHEA! WE ARE HOME TO THE LARGEST SUV CUP HOLDER FACTORY IN THE WORLD! WE CAST OUR VOTE FOR KAMALA HARRIS
— Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) August 21, 2024
Whoever said they need a DJ at the DNC, they need a raise. Not Like Us playing during California's roll call is wild
— Reck (@reck1568) August 21, 2024
For the Texas portion of the DNC roll call, Eva Longoria introduces the former head of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards. Richards is also the daughter of the late, legendary Governor of Texas, Ann Richards.
Richards introduces Kate Cox, a Texas woman who had to flee the state… pic.twitter.com/Du6Hh0PUt5
— Yashar Ali (@yashar) August 21, 2024
The DNC ceremonial roll call is being live streamed on the jumbotrons here at the Harris/Walz rally in Milwaukee.
The arena erupts in cheers after each state casts their votes for the Vice President. pic.twitter.com/Pc4lArk5kT
— Eva McKend (@evamckend) August 21, 2024
I need the DNC to do the roll call, Shibuya style . . .
My name is Maryland.
Yeah.
We eat Old Bay.
Yeah.
We casting our votes
for Kamala, today.
Shibuya roll call . . .#DNC2024 #RollCall— Dukie Goddess (@dukie525) August 21, 2024
This #DNCConvention Roll Call has everything: Sean Astin from Rudy, Anthony Hamilton, Wendell Pierce representing American's Northernmost Caribbean City New Orleans, DJ Cassidy spinning bangers, Spike Lee, Eva Longoria, People with Cheese Hats, Lil Jon Turning Down for What? pic.twitter.com/q1WxwwYqom
— Karen DaltonBeninato (@kbeninato) August 21, 2024
Some of the fine folks on X noted that Democrats were unlikely to receive the same energy from artists whose music they featured that Trump received from the myriad artists who declared publicly and through threats of litigation that they do not want the MAGA Menace playing their music at the RNC or any of his events.
What's cool about the DNC roll call tonight is they are playing great music associated with each state and they won't be sent cease and desist letters from the artists like Trump got…because he's a piece of shit!! #HarrisWalz2024 #DNC2024CHICAGO pic.twitter.com/yxTJcCPAkk
— Tim the Enchanter (@WhoCallMeTim) August 21, 2024
Considering all the artisits who demanded Trump stop playing their songs at his events, this DNC roll call is quite the flex.
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) August 21, 2024
Speaking of the RNC, The Lincoln Project was just being diabolically petty when it compared video footage of the RNC roll call up against footage of the DNC jamboree.
The DNC roll call makes the RNC roll call look like a funeral. pic.twitter.com/YvHzk6SOnG
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) August 21, 2024
Come on, y’all—we already knew the DNC roll call was to the RNC roll call what the cookout is to the company potluck where too many employees brought green bean-related dishes. They didn’t need to show us side-by-side video footage to emphasize it. (I’m glad they did though. Low-key, the video should have been much longer.)
Hell, even Meghan McCain was basically out here like: “Look, I know I’m supposed to be a conservative Republican super Karen and all that, but let me go on and hit this two-step to the DNC right quick.”
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.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) August 21, 2024
Yeah—it was a great night for Harris, the Democratic Party and everyone in America who knows how to clap on the two and four.
You can check out the full DNC roll call below.
SEE ALSO:
The Blackest DNC Takeaways As Biden Passes The Democratic Torch To Kamala Harris
Patti LaBelle’s DNC Moment Was More Than Just A Performance
The post The Democratic National Convention Roll Call Invited America To The Cookout. The RNC Should Take Notes appeared first on NewsOne.
