Lil Jon’s electrifying DNC appearance: A viral meme turned political anthem
The unexpected star of the Democratic National Convention
Lil Jon’s brief yet electrifying appearance at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) representing Georgia was more than just a delightful surprise. It was the culmination of a viral meme and a decade-long effort to engage voters. This moment was orchestrated by political strategist Ashley Spillane and Lil Jon’s publicist, Tamar Juda, who saw an opportunity to capitalize on the meme and create a memorable moment for the convention.
From meme to movement
The meme in question began when social media users, particularly on TikTok, transformed the lyrics of Lil Jon’s hit song “Get Low” from “to the window, to the wall” to “to the window, to the Walz,” in reference to vice presidential candidate Tim Walz. This playful twist caught the attention of Spillane and Juda, who had previously collaborated on a Rock the Vote campaign in 2014. They saw the potential to turn this viral moment into a powerful voter engagement tool.
A decade in the making
The origins of a political anthem
In 2014, Spillane and Juda worked with Lil Jon on a Rock the Vote campaign, transforming his hit song “Turn Down for What” into “Turn Out for What” to encourage voter turnout. This collaboration laid the groundwork for their latest endeavor. Spillane and Juda reached out to the White House and the Kamala Harris campaign with the idea of incorporating Lil Jon into the DNC’s state-by-state musical roll call. The campaign team was enthusiastic, and the plan was set in motion.
Crafting the perfect performance
Behind the scenes
The idea was to have Lil Jon perform live during the roll call, making him the only live performer in a playlist curated by DJ Cassidy. The performance needed to be impactful and fun, so Lil Jon and his team worked on a medley that included “Turn Out for What” and “Get Low,” with lyrics adapted to include “VP Harris” and “Governor Walz.” Lil Jon also insisted on incorporating Kamala Harris’ slogan, “We’re not going back,” into the performance.
The rehearsal
To keep the performance a secret, Lil Jon’s road manager attended the rehearsal instead of Lil Jon himself. They walked through the steps, ensuring everything was perfect for the live event. The secrecy paid off, and the performance was a hit, becoming one of the most viral moments of the convention.
A moment of pride and unity
Women behind the scenes
This moment was particularly significant for the women who orchestrated it. Spillane, Juda, and the women at the DNC and White House worked together to create a powerful and memorable performance. For Lil Jon, it was an honor to be part of this moment and to represent Georgia at the convention.
Full-circle moment
For Spillane, this was a full-circle moment. Having worked for now-Governor Walz in 2010 and later founding her own social impact consulting firm, she saw the power of these moments in engaging and exciting voters. The collaboration with Juda and the DNC team was a testament to the impact of creative and culturally relevant voter engagement efforts.
The future of political engagement
Raising the bar
This performance has set a new standard for what people might expect from future roll calls and political events. Lil Jon’s team is grateful to the DNC for trusting them to create this moment, and they are excited about the potential for future collaborations.
Continuing the momentum
Spillane and Juda are already brainstorming their next project, eager to find new and innovative ways to engage voters. Their successful collaboration at the DNC is just the beginning, and they are committed to continuing their efforts to make a difference in the political landscape.
Watch the performance
For those who missed it, you can watch Lil Jon’s electrifying performance at the DNC here.
Final thoughts
This moment at the DNC was more than just a performance; it was a powerful example of how cultural moments can be harnessed to engage and excite voters. The collaboration between Lil Jon, Spillane, Juda, and the DNC team shows the potential for creative and impactful voter engagement efforts. As we look to the future, it’s clear that these moments matter and can make a significant difference in the political landscape.