ICYMI: Celebratory Roll Call Showcases Democratic Energy for Harris-Walz Ticket

CHICAGO – Last night, in an celebratory roll call on the floor of the United Center, Democratic delegates from across America showcased the unprecedented achievements of the last four years while putting their support behind the Harris-Walz ticket’s vision for a brighter future.

All 57 delegations celebrated to a song selected to represent the character of their state, and the roll call soundtrack reflected the broad coalition of support mobilizing across the country for the Harris-Walz ticket.

The convention will continue to showcase how Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are fighting for the people, for our freedoms, and for a future where every American has the opportunity not just to get by, but to get ahead.

Here’s what people are saying about the first-of-its-kind celebratory roll call:

In Print:

Rolling Stone: Lil Jon Transforms DNC Roll Call Into a Party With ‘Turn Down for What’

Lil Jon pumped up the energy during Georgia’s roll call at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday. The “Yeah!” rap star surprised the Chicago crowd by popping out with the delegation of Georgia to perform his hit “Turn Down for What.”

The entire arena could be seen dancing and jumping to Lil Jon’s performance as the rapper walked through the crowd, high-fiving the audience. He then led the arena into a chant of “We’re not going back! We’re not going back!”

USA Today: From ‘California Love’ to ‘Texas Hold ‘Em,’ DNC roll call honors each state with songs: See list

The Democratic National Convention ceremonial roll call set celebrated both national and state pride through music.

As Democrat delegates announced their votes for Vice President Kamala Harris, record producer DJ Cassidy played a unique song representing each state.

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.”

NBC News: Lil Jon pumps up Democratic convention crowd during musical delegate roll call

Democrats turned down for their convention roll call vote Tuesday night, with a surprise performance by rapper Lil Jon performing his his “Turn Down for What.”

[…]

“DNC, turn down for what?” Lil Jon rapped as he walked down onto the convention floor. “VP Harris, gimme the Walz,” he appeared to sing, as the hook to another one of his hits, “Get Low” ft. the East Side Boys, began. (The song includes the line “to the window, to the wall.”)

NPR: The DNC roll call featured a musical salute to each state. Here’s what your state chose

DJ Cassidy and the Democrats played special tracks for each state and territory during Tuesday night’s roll call.

Today: Why was Lil Jon at the Democratic National Convention?

Lil Jon had the Democratic National Convention dancing from the window to the Walz when he turned up to lead an energetic roll call for his home state on Tuesday night.

The Atlanta rapper walked through the crowd at Chicago’s United Center performing his hit song “Turn Down for What” to help introduce the Georgia delegation on Aug. 20.

His performance was part of a ceremonial roll call in which each state verbally pledged its delegates to nominating Vice President Kamala Harris for president and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

Philly Voice: DNC pays tribute to Philadelphia with Boyz II Men song during roll call

DJ Cassidy, the emcee for the unusual and energetic roll call, played “Motownphilly” by Boyz II Men to introduce the Pennsylvania delegation, before transitioning to “Black and Yellow” by Pittsburgh native Wiz Khalifa.

Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker and Gov. Josh Shapiro then cast Pennsylvania’s votes for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as the party’s nominees. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker was next to Shapiro on the convention floor.

Maine Morning Star: Democrats celebrate with boisterous state-by-state roll call vote for Harris

The Democratic National Convention held a ceremonial roll call of the states Tuesday, giving delegates on the floor of the United Center in Chicago a chance to show their support for Kamala Harris complete with corncob hats, DJ’d music, a surprise appearance from Atlanta rapper Lil Jon and enthusiastic cheers.

On the Airwaves:

WATCH: MSNBC

“And what they projected to the entire public, and frankly the world, is a massive, inclusive, alienated no one, invitation to come on board.”

[…]

It’s like a sporting event. It was unbelievable live television for everyone watching.

WATCH: CBS NEWS

⁨The party really did get going with the roll call. Democrats publicly pledged their delegates to Kamala Harris for president going state by state and dancing in the aisles as Lil Jon helped out Georgia.

WATCH: CNN

Again, music brings people together. I defy you to watch this and not feel good. This has just been a constant theme. Joy is a constant theme for this party right now

WATCH: MSNBC

Last night the DNC turned it into a dance party with songs for each state and territory, including a memorable performance by award-winning rapper Lil Jon

On Social:

@harrisonjaime: We partied so hard last night that my voice is almost gone! We did the damn thing!!! Proud of my brother @JasonRRae and so grateful for the visionary craftsmanship of our Chair @IamMinyon @ahornbrook & @stefcutter @DemConvention @TheDemocrats #DemFamilyReunion #DemConvention2024

@JasonRRae: This was a very special moment. An honor to preside over our ceremonial roll call today. I cannot wait til we elect  @KamalaHarris and @Tim_Walz in November!

@MeghanMcCain: 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.

@bettemidler:I never teared up during a Democratic Convention Roll Call before!  That was FANTASTIC!  The joy, the exuberance, the energy and excitement!  I went back to see how the roll call at the RNC compared!   Hahahaha!  It was like a wake!  SAD.

@Morning_Joe: A tale of two roll calls: RNC vs. DNC

@Project_Lincoln:The DNC roll call makes the RNC roll call look like a funeral.

@arlenparsa: Nothing like this has been done before in US political history. A party roll call with immediate cut to the candidate *in a different city* in another full stadium thanking people. The DNC is the Super Bowl of political TV. Election night? Not close. The RNC? Don’t make me laugh.

@GeorgiaDemocrat: 🔥🔥🔥 @LilJon fired up the @DNC @DemConvention w/ the #GADems roll call, showing the world the South got something to say! Georgia is the battleground, and we need your help to keep the momentum.

@Phil_Lewis: Lil Jon makes a surprise appearance at the #DNC for Georgia’s roll call

@Matt4VA:Why is it smart to doing the roll call this way for Dems? 1. It’s a lot of fun 2. There is so much content for social media to help Harris. 3. The short clips are great to get campaign message across. 4. This will be talked about a lot and people will rewatch THIS IS BRILLIANT

@KaitlinCollins: Lil Jon is on the convention floor singing “from the window….to the Walz” during Georgia’s turn for the roll call.

@JRPsaki: Did not have the soundtrack of college as the soundtrack of the delegate roll call vote on my bingo card today…but love it