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 and do not allow the use of my music to be played at a political event of any kind,” the artist wrote.
The performance of “Turn Down for What” was a widely discussed moment at the DNC on Tuesday night, with Lil Jon making a surprise appearance during the state roll call, representing for his native Georgia by appearing in the crowd and performing the raucous classic. For this roll call, each state picked a song related to it, with other selections including New Jersey choosing “Born in the U.S.A.” by native son Bruce Springsteen’s and Kansas selecting Kansas’ “Carry On My Wayward Son.”
With his tweet, DJ Snake joins a growing list of musical artists who’ve objected to the use of their music at political events. During the 2024 presidential election cycle alone, artists including The Smiths, Celine Dion, Beyoncé and the estate of late artist Isaac Hayes have spoken out against Donald Trump using their music at his rallies and events.
But while DJ Snake may not be happy with his music being played at the Convention, other DJs seem cool with it. Immediately after President Biden’s speech on Monday during the first night of the convention, Kygo‘s 2019 remix of Whitney Houston’s “Higher Love” was played over the United Center’s speakers, with this play marking a full-circle moment, given that it was played at the end of Biden’s victory speech after he and Vice President Harris won the 2020 presidential election.
Also on the first night of the 2024 DNC, first lady Jill Biden walked onstage to the 1998 Fatboy Slim classic “Praise You.”
On Wednesday night (Aug. 21), John Legend is set to perform, while P!nk will take the stage for Thursday’s closing night.
