Stevie Wonder took the stage on the 2024 Democratic Nationwide Conference Wednesday evening (August 21), the place he performed his inimitable hit “Increased Floor,” from 1973’s Innervisions. Previous to performing, Surprise gave a keynote tackle on the occasion, which runs by means of this night at Chicago’s United Heart. Surprise formally endorsed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and her operating mate, Tim Walz, and urged the gang to “select braveness over complacency.” He additionally rallied them to “Stand up! And go vote!” Discover Surprise’s full speech and efficiency beneath.
“This 12 months I pray very onerous for peace to return to our world’s nations,” Surprise mentioned in his speech. “However, additionally, to every one in all our hearts, regardless that our hearts have been overwhelmed and damaged. Past prayer, I do know the significance of motion, and now could be the time to know the place we’re, and what it is going to take to win.”
He added: “We should carry on keepin’ on, till we really are a united folks of those United States. After which we’ll attain a better floor,” he mentioned, teasing his forthcoming efficiency, which was accented by dancers and a reside band, with Surprise on keys.
Surprise final appeared at a Democratic Nationwide Conference in 2008, to spice up assist for then-candidate Barack Obama.
Later within the night, John Legend and Sheila E. appeared for a reside rendition of Prince & The Revolution’s “Let’s Go Loopy”—an homage to Walz and Prince’s shared house state of Minnesota.
The 2024 Democratic Nationwide Conference has featured quite a few musical friends, together with Maren Morris, Mickey Guyton, James Taylor, Common, Patti LaBelle, Lil Jon, Jason Isbell, and others.
Beyoncé, whereas not bodily on the conference, has lent her 2016 Lemonade hit “Freedom” to Harris to be used in her marketing campaign adverts and on the Democratic Nationwide Conference (however not to former President Donald J. Trump). Extra lately, Neil Younger reportedly granted Walz permission to make use of “Rockin’ within the Free World,” which performed final evening following Walz’s speech. In 2020, Younger sued Trump’s re-election campaign for utilizing the identical track.
