‘Raise Up,’ North Carolina! When the DNC rocks and raps its roll call, NC represents.
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Democratic National Convention: What NC voters should know
National conventions are known for announcing party nominations and platforms. So how could this Democratic National Convention with a brand-new presidential campaign be different? And what role will North Carolina play in the upcoming election? Here is ongoing coverage of the DNC from The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer.
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When the roll call finally reached states that start with “N,” North Carolina introduced itself to the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night with a revved-up Tar Heel anthem that got a room full of fists pumping.
Not James Taylor’s “Carolina In My Mind.”
Not “Carolina Girls” from Chairmen of the Board.
But “Raise Up” by Petey Pablo — North Carolina’s unofficial state song.
The Greenville-born rapper’s 2001 hit rang out through Chicago’s United Center while North Carolina took its turn in the roll call, where state party chair Anderson Clayton shouted to be heard over its raucous beat.
“I have the honor of serving as the youngest state party chair in the country,” she told the nation with “Raise Up” playing in the background, “and North Carolina is the home of folks like Anthony Hamilton ...”
The Grammy-winning R&B singer from Charlotte bobbed behind her as she called out his name ahead of former Gov. Jim Hunt, Bishop William Barber II and Nina Simone.
“We represent a new South,” Clayton proclaimed as she delivered North Carolina’s 131 votes.
The DNC roll call offered a flamboyant departure from policy speeches as each state rolled out a signature song blasted from a DJ’s turntable:
▪ Georgia likely scored the biggest hit when rapper Lil Jon, in person in Chicago, descended a set of stairs to the tune of “Turn Down for What.”
▪ New York chose “Empire State of Mind” from Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, as director Spike Lee chanted “New York! New York! New York!”
▪ Tennessee picked “9 to 5,” a nod to native Dolly Parton
▪ and South Carolina took the enviable James Brown route with “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine,” making what is probably its first appearance at a national political convention.
Pablo was recently selected to join the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame’s 132 artists, which also includes Taylor, Simone, Earl Scruggs and Big Daddy Kane.
“Raise Up,” with its call-and-response lyrics, has a history of representing North Carolina. It was chosen as the Carolina Hurricanes’ goal celebration song in 2018.
At press time, it was unclear if any NC delegates, inspired by the Petey Pablo vibe and lyrics, took their shirts off, twisted them ‘round their hands and waved them like a helicopter.
This story was originally published August 21, 2024 at 11:02 AM with the headline "‘Raise Up,’ North Carolina! When the DNC rocks and raps its roll call, NC represents.."
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