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How the DNC Roll Call Went From Snooze to Sensation: DJ Cassidy on Lil Jon’s Cameo and the Playlist That Turned a Dull Tradition Into a Dance Party

The roll call at the Democratic convention went from a dull tradition to an outright party, thanks to a playlist from DJ Cassidy and cameo by Lil Jon.

Cassidy, the popular host of the “Pass the Mic” series that has been a TV and concert franchise, got on the phone with Variety to discuss his involvement in the convention — taking time out from the soundcheck for a private event he’s doing in Chicago Wednesday night with Wyclef Jean and Shaggy. The ManArizona – Edge of Seventeen – Stevie NicksArkansas – Don’t Stop – Fleetwood MacCalifornia – The Next Episode – Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg, California Love – 2Pac and Dr. Dre, Alright – Kendrick Lamar and Not Like Us – Kendrick LamarColorado – September – Earth, Wind & FireConnecticut – Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie WonderDemocrats Abroad – Love Train – The O’JaysWashington D.C. – Let me Clear my Throat – DJ KoolDelaware – Higher Love – Whitney Houston and KygoFlorida – Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty & the HeartbreakersGeorgia – Turn Down for What – Lil’ JonGuam – Espresso – Sabrina CarpenterHawaii – 24K Magic – Bruno MarsIdaho – Private Idaho – The B-52sIllinois – Sirius – Alan Parsons ProjectIndiana – Don’t Stop til You Get Enough – Michael JacksonIowa – Celebration – Kool & the GangKansas – Carry on Wayward Son – KansasKentucky – First Class – Jack HarlowLouisiana – All I Do Is Win – DJ KhaledMaine – Shut Up and Dance – Walk the MoonMaryland – Respect – Aretha FranklinMassachusetts – I’m Shipping Up to Boston – Dropkick MurphysMichigan – Lose Yourself – EminemMinnesota – Kiss and 1999 – PrinceMississippi – Twistin’ the Night Away – Sam CookeMissouri – Good Luck, Babe – Chappell RoanMontana – American Woman – Lenny KravitzNebraska – Firework – Katy PerryNevada – Mr. Brightside – The KillersNew Hampshire – Don’t Stop Believin’ – JourneyNew Jersey – Born in the U.S.A. – Bruce SpringsteenNew Mexico – Confident – Demi LovatoNew York – Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z and Alicia KeysNorth Carolina – Raise Up – Petey PabloNorth Dakota – Fight Song – Rachel PlattenNorthern Mariana Islands – Ain’t No Mountain High EnoughOhio – Green Light – John LegendOklahoma – Ain’t Goin Down (Til The Sun Comes Up) – Garth BrooksOregon – Float On – Modest MousePennsylvania – Motownphilly – Boyz II Men and Black & Yellow – Wiz KhalifaPuerto Rico – Despacito – Luis Fonsi and Daddy YankeeRhode Island – Shake it Off – Taylor SwiftSouth Carolina – Get On Up – James BrownSouth Dakota – What I Like About You – The RomanticsTennessee – 9 to 5 – Dolly PartonTexas – TEXAS HOLD ‘EM – BeyonceUtah – Animal – Neon TreesVermont – Stick Season – Noah KahanU.S. Virgin Islands – VI to the Bone – Mic LoveVirginia – The Way I Are – TimbalandWashington – Can’t Hold Us – MacklemoreWest Virginia – Take Me Home (Country Roads) – John DenverWisconsin – Jump Around – House of PainWyoming – I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas

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