More than 1,400 DJs are rocking out at polling places across NC. Why are they there?
In the flurry of election signs, urging this and promising that, DJ Jalen Jones laid down a calming beat that added a sweet sound to the noise.
He dropped a Keyshia Cole record on the turntable, and as the voters made their busy way into Worthdale Park’s polls, they lip-synced the words.
“Be sure you guys go vote,” he said with a smile.
Jones offered this musical enhancement through the nonpartisan DJs at the Polls aimed at enticing people to vote through live entertainment. Across North Carolina, more than 1,400 disc jockeys provided free tunes.
Founded in Philadelphia in 2008, DJs at the Polls recruits players through local community groups and aims to make Election Day “feel like a holiday.” This year, the group aimed to place more than 8,000 DJs nationwide, especially targeting low-turnout minority neighborhoods.
In Sanford, DJ Lil Bee, otherwise known as Bryant Russ of Durham, dropped tunes to keep the mood high at Southern Lee High School.
He even took requests.
”My man just came over and asked for some Motown,” Russ said as the music reverberated off the high school’s brick buildings. “What do you want to hear?”