Common & Patti LaBelle Perform at Night 2 of DNC 2024

The Democratic National Convention continued Tuesday night (Aug. 20) at Chicago’s United Center, and more music stars took the stage to celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris‘ presidential nomination.

Patti LaBelle stepped onstage to deliver her 1978 hit “You Are My Friend” for the night’s in memoriam segment, singing the lyrics, “Your love has made me realize/ My future looks bright to me/ Oh, because you are my friend.” The icon previously performed Sam Cooke’s classic “A Change is Gonna Come” at the 2004 DNC. Most recently, she performed on the White House South Lawn for President Biden’s Juneteenth concert.

Patti LaBelle performs during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
Patti LaBelle performs during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

Common also took the stage at the DNC to perform his recently released Pete Rock collaboration “Fortunate,” switching up the lyrics at one point to tell the crowd: “Be fortunate, y’all, for Kamala Harris.” Common is also no stranger to a DNC performance, as he appeared virtually during the 2020 ceremony due to the global pandemic to join John Legend for a rendition of their best original song Oscar winner “Glory” from 2014’s Selma.

The DNC’s second night featured the theme “A Bold Vision for America’s Future,” and will include remarks from former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama; Harris’ husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff; Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders; and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Commentator Ana Navarro is hosting the evening.

Harris took over the nomination from President Biden, who spoke on the opening night of the DNC. Since then, surveys have shown that while Republican nominee Donald Trump was previously winning in several key battleground states, the polls are now shifting slightly in Harris’ favor, per New York Times/Siena College.

Watch LaBelle’s and Common’s performances below:

Rania Aniftos

Billboard