CHICAGO — Rapper Lil Jon made a surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night during Georgia’s roll call — with Millennials quickly losing their minds on social media.
The Atlanta-born artist performed his hit song “Turn Down for What” and led the crowd in a raucous chant of “We’re not going back.”
Lil Jon, whose real name is Jonathan H. Smith, even belted one of his trademark “yeeeeaaahs” upon entering the stadium and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are here tonight to officially nominate Kamala Harris for president,” he bellowed out to the crowd.
“VP Harris to the Walz.”
The unexpected cameo enamored Millennials online.
“Lil Jon coming out for Georgia during the roll call is… turned down for what. Gotta get that millennial vote, baby. Fire up that loud, another round of shots,” one commentator quipped on X.
“Telling 16 year old me that one day lil jon would perform at the DNC, I would have laughed. The millennialization of the Democratic party has begun and I’m here for it,” a Millennial X user wrote.
“Lil Jon? Millennials, this is our hour! #DNC2024CHICAGO,” another watcher joked.
“Across America, Gen Z, X, and Millennials are explaining to their boomer parents who Lil Jon is and I love it,” noted another.
“Okay, the Lil’ Jon cameo is cool,” National Review writer Noah Rothman admitted.
Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) then took to the microphone and announced that Georgia’s delegation would cast 123 votes for Harris, while Jon’s music played in the background.
Technically, Harris is already the Democratic nominee for president, meaning the ceremonial roll call Tuesday evening is merely a symbolic measure.
Democrats conducted a virtual roll call earlier this month and Harris officially became the nominee on Aug. 6.
The virtual roll call was done in order to avoid any potential ballot access snarls, particularly in Ohio, which had an Aug. 7 deadline to finalize its ballots.
Party officials billed the ceremonial roll call as a nod to the tradition of past conventions being the place for officially designating the party nominee.
