The Democratic National Convention, known for its formality, has taken a decidedly lively turn this year. A star-studded lineup of celebrities and a soundtrack featuring iconic musicians have transformed the event into a vibrant celebration of the Democratic Party. The convention, where Kamala Harris is expected to be officially nominated as Joe Biden’s running mate, has become a melting pot of entertainment and political engagement.
From the former President Barack Obama, who made a pointed reference to Donald Trump’s “weird obsession with crowd sizes,” to rappers Common and Lil Jon, and actress Eva Longoria, a plethora of celebrities have descended upon Chicago to lend their support to the Democratic ticket. Even the possibility of Taylor Swift gracing the stage with a performance, despite no official confirmation, has ignited social media buzz.
The convention has also been a musical extravaganza, with songs from Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, Prince, Tom Petty, Dolly Parton, Kendrick Lamar, and Bruno Mars filling the air. This playlist has generated widespread commentary, highlighting the irony of Trump’s inability to use any of these artists’ music without facing legal repercussions.
Numerous artists and their estates have issued cease-and-desist orders to Trump and his campaign for unauthorized use of their songs. The list of grievances is extensive, including Bruce Springsteen objecting to Trump playing “Born in the U.S.A.” as a patriotic anthem when the song is actually a critique of the treatment of Vietnam veterans; Rihanna demanding that Trump stop playing “Don’t Stop the Music” after it played at a rally; and R.E.M. expressing outrage over the use of their tracks “Losing My Religion”, “Everybody Hurts”, and “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” at rallies.
In 2020, Leonard Cohen’s estate issued a statement condemning Trump’s unauthorized use of “Hallelujah” at the Republican National Convention, rejecting any permission for its use. The estate pointedly suggested that they would have only considered approving Cohen’s song “You Want It Darker.”
This juxtaposition of celebrity appearances and musical clashes underscores the dynamic nature of the 2020 election and highlights the power of cultural voices in shaping political discourse. The Democratic National Convention has successfully blended entertainment and activism, offering a platform for artists and celebrities to engage in political dialogue and celebrate the Democratic values of unity and inclusivity.
