Every time there’s a US election, it seems at least one artist will decry the use of their music by one of the campaigning parties. The current presidential race has been no different and now, DJ Snake has been the latest person to voice his disapproval.
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is currently in full swing and the second night saw rapper Lil Jon perform his 2013 smash hit collaboration with DJ Snake, Turn Down For What.
The performance was part of the state roll call – Lil Jon was representing his native state of Georgia, while other songs chosen by their respective states include Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The USA for New Jersey and Kansas’ Carry On Wayward Son for… well, Kansas.
Nonetheless, DJ Snake wasn’t pleased about his song being used at the DNC. On X/Twitter, he wrote: “I did not and do not allow the use of my music to be played at a political event of any kind.”
I did not and do not allow the use of my music to be played at a political event of any kind. https://t.co/whYGssqrjJ
— DJ SNAKE (@djsnake) August 21, 2024
DJ Snake isn’t the only person to express his discomfort with his music being used in political campaigns. Usually, it’s the Republican campaign that attracts the most ire from artists, particularly those who don’t want their work to be associated with Donald Trump.
Beyoncé has reportedly sent the Trump campaign a cease-and-desist for its unauthorised use of her song Freedom in a social media video. She did, however, approve the use of the track by Kamala Harris’ campaign.
Celine Dion’s team rebuked the former President for using My Heart Will Go On without authorisation at a rally, which Dion “does not endorse”.
Meanwhile, earlier this year after The Smiths’ Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want was played at a similar event, Johnny Marr said: “Consider this shit shut down right now.”
The family of Isaac Hayes have also threatened a lawsuit for copyright infringement to stop Trump using Hold On, I’m Coming at rallies, claiming he has done so 134 times despite them asking him repeatedly to stop.
