How a Lil Jon ‘To the Walz’ Viral Fan Meme Led to the Rapper Becoming a Surprise Star of the Democratic National Convention
variety.comChris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Lil Jon‘s short but galvanizing appearance at the Democratic National Convention, representing the state of Georgia during a musical roll call, may have seemed like a random delight to some viewers.
In actuality, it was the culmination of a weeks-old viral meme that tied the rapper to vice presidential candidate Tim Walz… and also a bookend to a 10-year-old get-out-the-vote effort from Lil Jon.
Surprising the DNC with a surprise appearance by the hip-hop star was the brainchild of two women — political operative Ashley Spillane and Lil Jon’s longtime publicist, Tamar Juda — who approached the White House and the Kamala Harris campaign with the idea of capitalizing on the current meme at the convention.
Campaign toppers responded with the idea of working Lil Jon into a state-by-state musical roll call, as the only live performer amid a playlist otherwise curated by DJ Cassidy.
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