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We learned a lot about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz during his speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday night (August 21). The former high school football coach, Army National Guard veteran and social studies teacher fired up the packed crowd at the United Center with a rousing address about his midwestern values and loving family while accepting the party’s nomination for Vice President alongside current VP and presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
And, in keeping with his reputation as a “dad rock” guy who has raged against the machine for not yet inducting Warren Zevon into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and whose picks at his favorite Minneapolis record store Electric Fetus last year included vinyl classics by Genesis, the Moody Blues and Steve Winwood, he entered and exited the stage to some solid meat-and-potatoes rock.
In fact, a spokesperson for Neil Young confirmed to Billboard on Thursday (August 22) that the Gov. got a personal sign-off from the 78-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer to cap his emotional speech with Young’s blistering 1989 anthem “Rockin’ in the Free World.” The song from Young’s Freedom album took a sledgehammer to then-Republican President George H. W. Bush’s signature phrase “thousands points of light” with lyrics lamenting a lack of urgency about climate change and missing conservative compassion for homeless Americans amid what Young deemed empty promises to “keep hope alive.”
The official stamp of approval from Young is in contrast to his complaint that Walz and Harris’ White House rival, former one-term Republican President Donald Trump, had not sought approval to play the song during his first run for office in 2015, an action that led Young to consider suing Trump. In 2020, Young did sue Trump for copyright infringement for playing “Rockin’” and “Devil’s Sidewalk” at rallies, with Young saying that in “good conscience” he could not allow his music to be used by the divisive former reality TV star.
After Trump lost his second bid for office, Young dismissed the copyright case.
In a post on his Archives site earlier this week, Young noted that he was closely watching the DNC — not on network or cable TV but on C-Span, where he said there are “no smarmy talking heads… No slant” — in a missive that included a reprint of artist Shepard Fairey’s “FORWARD” poster for the Harris campaign.
Walz took the stage to John Mellencamp’s 1985 homage to his midwestern upbringing, “Small Town. At press time a spokesperson for the Indiana-bred rocker had not confirmed that Mellencamp had given his personal approval for the use of the song.
Young is on a long list of artists who have either sued, threatened to sue or complained about Trump using their music during his rallies. That roster recently added the estate of late soul icon Isaac Hayes and Beyoncé’s label, which issued a cease-and-desist order to convicted felon Trump’s campaign this week over his spokesperson’s unauthorized use of her anthem “Freedom” — the official Harris/Walz theme song , personally approved by Queen Bey — in a social media post; that post has since been taken down.
Trump has long used the music of popular artists over their public objections, drawing complaints about the twice-impeached former commander-in-chief’s unauthorized playing of songs at his rallies from artists including the Rolling Stones, Adele, Rihanna and the late Sinead O’Connor, among many others.
The Chicks are set to perform the national anthem at this year’s Democratic National Convention Thursday (Aug. 22), as originally reported by CNN and confirmed by Billboard. In support of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s 2024 White House bid, the country trio will take the stage at Chicago’s United Center on the final day of […]
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Rep. Hakeem Jeffries often displays his deep knowledge of Hip-Hop music and culture during hearings and public speaking engagements. The New York native did so once more in Chicago during his speech at the DNC, aiming at Donald Trump and putting the presidential hopeful on notice.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who serves as the House Minority leader, used his time onstage to voice not only his support for Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz but also share with attendees and viewers around the world his thoughts about who Donald Trump is.
The theme of this year’s DNC has been consistent with Democratic Party figures and connected media figures speaking glowingly about the potential Harris-Walz administration while painting Trump as someone who would disrupt the balance and fairness of democracy.
In his speech, Jeffries likened Trump to a relationship that went sour with the ex-boyfriend taking the split especially hard.
“Trump tried to destroy our democracy by lying about the election and inciting a violent mob to attack the Capitol. Trump put three extreme justices on the Supreme Court who destroyed Roe v Wade. We broke up with you for a reason,” Jeffries is heard saying.
He added, “Donald Trump is like an old boyfriend who you broke up with, but he just won’t go away. He has spent the last four years spinning the block trying to get back into a relationship with the American people. Bro, we broke up with you for a reason.”
Something that has become custom for Jeffries is his penchant for reciting lyrics to well-known Hip-Hop songs, referencing Fat Joe and Remy Ma’s “All The Way Up” about the party’s support for Vice President Harris and the potential for the party to take back the House this fall. Republicans currently have a slim majority.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries has served as a congressman for New York’s 8th Congressional District since 2013 and is the first Black person elected to lead a major party in Congress.
Check out the full speech below courtesy of PBS NewsHour below.
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Photo: Getty
Mindy Kaling, known best for her roles in The Office and The Mindy Project, brought her signature wit to the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Aug. 21.
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Addressing the crowd at Chicago’s United Center, Kaling couldn’t resist throwing in a light-hearted jab at fellow Massachusetts native Ben Affleck, who is currently navigating a highly publicized divorce from Jennifer Lopez.
“I love you, Massachusetts!” Kaling shouted, drawing cheers from the crowd. “Everyone is always hating on us. But they just don’t get it. Go Sox! Go Jason Tatum! Ben Affleck, hang in there!”
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She then quipped, “Dunkin’ Donuts is the best coffee in the world!”—a playful nod to Affleck’s well-known love for the brand, where he serves as an official ambassador.
Kaling’s connection to Affleck goes beyond their shared Massachusetts roots.
Early in her career, she co-wrote and starred in the off-Broadway play Matt and Ben, a satirical take on how Affleck and Matt Damon wrote the Oscar-winning screenplay for Good Will Hunting.
The play, which she co-wrote with her college friend Brenda Withers, helped establish Kaling as a major comedic force in the entertainment industry.
The timing of Kaling’s remarks was particularly pointed, coming just one day after J.Lo filed for divorce from Affleck on Aug. 20. The divorce, which ended their two-year marriage, has been making headlines since the filing, with Lopez listing their separation date as April 26, 2024—just a few months before their wedding anniversary.
The Bennifer saga has been a rollercoaster for fans. The couple originally began dating in 2002 after meeting on the set of Gigli. Their relationship was a hot topic in the early 2000s, with their first engagement making headlines.
Though they called off their planned 2003 wedding and eventually broke up in 2004, they rekindled their relationship nearly two decades later. After tying the knot in Las Vegas in 2022, they celebrated their union with a grand ceremony in Georgia, surrounded by family and friends.
Kaling’s shoutout to Affleck was just one of the many highlights of the DNC’s third night—she also shared a light-hearted yet meaningful moment about her connection with Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I am an incredibly famous Gen Z actress who you might recognize from The Office, The Mindy Project, or as the woman who courageously outed Kamala Harris as Indian in an Instagram cooking video,” Kaling quipped.
Reflecting on their shared heritage, Kaling recalled, “We immediately hit it off. We talked about the love that we have for our moms, who had both passed away from cancer.” She continued, “Both of our mothers were immigrants from India who came to America and committed their lives to serving others.”
Kaling also couldn’t resist a bit of humor regarding Harris’s cooking abilities, adding, “But the thing I remember the most about the vice president is that Kamala Harris can cook. Guys, she was so much better than me. But she also knew that my family was watching, so as she gently corrected my sloppy dosa making, she was complimenting me every step of the way.”
The evening, themed “A Fight for Our Freedoms,” also featured performances by music stars like Maren Morris and Stevie Wonder. Morris took to the stage with her protest anthem “Better Than We Found It,” while Wonder delivered a powerful rendition of “Higher Ground.”
“This is a moment to tell your children where you were and what you did,” Wonder told the crowd. “When we stand between history’s pain and tomorrow’s promises we must choose courage over complacency.”
The DNC has seen a star-studded lineup as it gears up for Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential nomination acceptance on Thursday night, with performances by artists like P!nk scheduled for the final night.
Watch Mindy Kaling’s speech at the DNC below.
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On Wednesday, August 21, word got out that Oprah Winfrey would be speaking at the Democratic National Convention. While it’s safe to say most people saw that as a positive, there is a loud minority of social media users who had issues with her appearance.
While to say Oprah is media icon is still an understatement, there is no denying that her co-sign is majority responsible for the rise of Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz. In recent years, both media personalities have come under fire. Dr. Phil has been accused multiple times of professional misconduct and suspect ethics, while Dr. Oz also has been likened to a “snake oil salesman” and his run for office failed in a heap of struggle.
So whether deserved or not, Oprah is getting the blame. We’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that once again a Black women is getting scapegoated for the ethical failings of grown-ass men, but that’s another discussion.
Nevertheless, Oprah still took to the stage at United Center and delivered a dynamic speech. “When we stand together, it is impossible to concur us,” she said. Her speech was powerful, and she had smoke for JD Vance, too. And Oprah, who is an independent, doesn’t just endorse anybody.
Peep the variety of reactions in the gallery.
The Democratic National Convention continued on Wednesday night (Aug. 21) at Chicago’s United Center for the evening’s “A Fight for Our Freedoms” theme, and more music stars performed onstage to celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris‘ presidential nomination. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Maren Morris delivered her protest […]
DJ Snake will not, apparently, turn down for American political conventions. In a statement Wednesday (Aug. 21) on X, the French producer responded to the performance of his 2013 Lil Jon collab “Turn Down for What” being performed by the Atlanta rapper during night 2 of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. “I did not […]
With the Democratic National Convention fully underway, more star-studded performers have been added to the lineup at Chicago’s United Center to celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris‘ presidential nomination. On Wednesday night (Aug. 21), John Legend will take the stage to perform, according to CNN. The “All of Me” singer has been an outspoken supporter of Harris, […]
John Legend has long been outspoken about his political beliefs and when it comes to this November’s presidential campaign, the singer said there is only one candidate he can, and will, support. Speaking to CBS Mornings, Legend told co-host Tony Dokoupil that he is fully behind Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the official Democrat nominee on Tuesday night (August 20) after a raucous, musical roll call at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
“I live in California, so I’ve gotten to watch her run for election multiple times,” Legend said of Harris, who before she became President Joe Biden’s VP in 2020 was also the Attorney General of California and a Senator from the state. “And seen how smart and charismatic and empathetic and how ready she is for this, she’s prepared herself for this role. She is eminently qualified to be president. And then she also has the right character traits I think to be a great president, which means she cares about people’s lives, wants government to work for people and improve their lives.”
Legend joins a long, and growing, list of musicians who have thrown in with the Harris campaign since the Vice President unexpectedly jumped into the race in place of Biden when the President stepped down a month ago amid concerns that the 81-year-old commander in chief was not up to the task. His endorsement is now added to a roster that includes Ariana Grande, Barbra Streisand, Cardi B, Charli XCX, Demi Lovato, Katy Perry, Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion, Olivia Rodrigo, Patti LaBelle and Beyoncé, whose “Freedom” has been adopted as the official Harris campaign theme song.
The singer told CBS that he felt compelled to weigh in on the election because of the vital impact politics has on all of our lives as American citizens. “We all have a stake in what happens in this country. We pay taxes here. Our kids are growing up here, going to schools here. And I don’t want to sit out,” said the Ohio native who has long been an advocate for prison reform and voting for progressive prosecutors. “I want to make sure that my voice is heard, but also that I lift up other voices and make sure they’re heard too.”
A longtime critic of twice impeached former President Donald Trump, Legend threw cold water on the notion that the Democratic party is one of “coastal elites,” a tag often put on the party by their Republican rivals thanks to Dems’ strong support in New York and California, as well as the tendency for A-list music, movie and entertainment figures to throw in with the other side. He noted that Republicans have gone all-in on a convicted felon whose story is the very definition of what former First Lady Michelle Obama referred to as “the affirmative action of generational wealth” in her rousing DNC speech on Tuesday night.
“They’re represented by a guy who grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth, who was gifted a real estate company, grew up in New York City and is only famous because he was on national television playing a businessman,” Legend said of Trump, who is running for President for a third time alongside his pick for a second-in-command, Ohio Senator JD Vance. “So, you know, it doesn’t ring very true for them to accuse us of being the Hollywood elites. I’m from Springfield, Ohio. I grew up in a blue-collar family. I would not even comprehend the kind of upbringing someone like Donald Trump had.”
The bottom line, Legend said, is that Harris and her VP candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, “care about people like you. They care about ordinary Americans and they want to make life better for ordinary Americans. And their opponent cares about enriching himself and his other rich friends and the difference is very clear.”
Watch Legend’s full interview below.
.@johnlegend is at the DNC to help bolster support for VP Kamala Harris’ run for the White House.He told @tonydokoupil about the impact of celebrity endorsements: “I don’t want to sit out. I want make sure that my voice is heard, but also that I lift up other voices.” pic.twitter.com/jDUfRxZ7Yn— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) August 21, 2024
Barack Obama and Michelle Obama rallied the United Center crowd at the 2024 Democratic National Convention with a pair of fiery speeches on Tuesday night (Aug. 20), and drawing comparisons to Kendrick Lamar‘s Drake disses in the process.
The former president and first lady electrified democrats on night two of the DNC while attacking Republican nominee Donald Trump and encouraging citizens to get out and vote to make sure they’re heard on Nov. 5, which is 76 days away.
“We don’t need four more years of bluster and chaos,” Barack said. “We’ve seen that movie — and we all know that the sequel’s usually worse. America is ready for a new chapter. America’s ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris.”
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Rap fans immediately began connecting the Obamas’ speeches toLamar’sdisses against Drizzy. “They should’ve put the ‘meet the grahams’ beat behind this michelle speech,” former Desus & Mero host Desus Nice tweeted.
Others were a step ahead and edited the harrowing instrumental behind the speeches, which some dubbed the remix as “Meet the Trumps.”
“His limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hard-working, highly educated, successful people who happened to be Black,” Michelle Obama said of Trump before her mic drop as the music plays in the remixed video. “I wanna know who’s gonna tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?”
Apple Music host Lowkey continued to quote lyrics from K. Dot’s “Euphoria” alongside clips of Obamas’ speeches. “There’s three goats left and i see two of them kissing and hugging on stage,” he tweeted.
Another viewer chimed in: “Trump’s Truth Social meltdown on the Obama’s is like Drake tryin to respond after Kendrick left him for dead. Done and dusted.”
Music has also been at the center of the DNC in Chicago this week, with Patti LaBelle, Common and DJ Cassidy hitting the stage on night two. Lil Jon even made a surprise appearance to fire up the thousands in attendance, which included Spike Lee and Eva Longoria.
During the California roll call, West Coast hip-hop dominated the segment. Lamar’s “Not Like Us” provided the soundtrack for a set that included K. Dot’s “Alright,” Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre’s “The Next Episode” and 2Pac’s “California Love.”
Find more reactions to the Obamas’ speeches below.
dnc bringing out 2pac tomorrow— Desus MF Nice💯 (@desusnice) August 21, 2024
That Obama family is cookin tonight cyat dang !!!— Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) August 21, 2024
President Barack Obama’s speech at the DNC if it were backed by Kendrick Lamar’s “Meet The Grahams” instrumental (produced by The Alchemist). pic.twitter.com/gGf7tGqKgU— Andrés Tardio (@AndresWrites) August 21, 2024
There are two people in the world that you don’t wanna have beef with: Kendrick Lamar and Michelle Obama. You will not win. Worzers!!!— Kafui Dzirasa, MD PhD (@KafuiDzirasa) August 21, 2024
Feel like the Obama’s listened to Kendrick all night and then showed up to the DNC— Trump Is Weird (@UnSpoken_Victim) August 21, 2024
The Obama’s danced on trump’s corps like Kendrick Lamar and Whitney danced on Drake’s— 🇨🇩Sports Guy🇨🇩 (@PlamsAbt) August 21, 2024
I need to see Michell Obama’s Summer playlist because I know every single track that Kendrick dropped recently is on there 😂— Chloe (@CosmicallyChloe) August 21, 2024