David Katznelson

Because she’s got the best music

One way I have always assessed a presidential candidate is by the music they love and the musicians who love them. Given that art transforms the world as powerfully as the political machine, bringing the two together righteously is a major step toward bringing people together and healing the country and the world. Kamala Harris is running a campaign that has been endorsed by the most mighty artists of the world. I write this while wearing a Sonic Youth Goo album–influenced Harris-Walz 2024 T-shirt having just rewatched the viral video of our future president coming out of a record store holding up records by Charlie Mingus, Roy Ayers, and Ella and Armstrong. I am writing this while remembering the Rosh Hashanah party at the vice president’s house last year (the first one of its kind) with Regina Spektor singing “Avinu Malkeinu.” Kamala enters every room using the (artist-approved) Beyoncé song “Freedom.”. The DNC on the eve of her acceptance of candidacy featured John Legend and Sheila E rocking Prince’s ”Let's Go Crazy,” while Megan Thee Stallion and Quavo electrified her rally in Georgia. How about Taylor Swift coming in strong after Kamala’s glorious presidential debate? Who else has endorsed her? It is a who’s-who of the greatest: Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Bon Iver, Cardi B, Charli XCX, Carole King, Foo Fighters, Jason Isbell, James Taylor, Kesha, Lizzo, Moby, Pink, Olivia Rodrigo, Questlove, Stevie Nicks, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, anon, anon. Barbara! What does this tell us? Especially given that the US has such a need for the right types of artistic ambassadors to shine a light within our country and abroad? It tells us this: the best kind of party is a Kamala Harris party. Never in my life have I seen such a rich cultural backing of a presidential candidate. We need to follow their lead and shake it on down… shake it on down to DC Town.

David Katznelson is a Grammy-nominated producer and writer.