Obama's DJ Gives Us His Chill Holiday Travel Playlist
President Barack Obama and DJ Cassidy at The White House for the President’s 50th Birthday celebration (Photo: DJ Cassidy)
The holiday travel season is upon us and with it comes the heavy luggage, seemingly endless security lines, long flights home with screaming babies, flight delays, traffic jams and creepy uncles. We know it is stressful.
There are so many hacks out there to try to beat holiday stress. We write about them all of the time. One of our favorites is creating the perfect holiday “chill the heck out” play list to listen to in the car, in airport lines and when you really do want to tune out weird Uncle Andy during dessert. Just tell him you’re checking the score of the game.
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So, we asked DJ Cassidy, who famously deejayed President Barack Obama’s Inaugurations and 50th birthday, as well as the weddings of Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian, to share his holiday travel playlist.
“On the road? In the sky? The hustle killed your high? Take a breath, close your eyes, and listen to paradise,” he says about this perfect “chill out” list.
Click here to download the Spotify playlist for yourself. (Photo: Spotify)
1. Stan Getz - Girl From Ipanema
2. Nelly Furtado - Quando, Quando, Quando
3. Robin Thicke - Lost Without U
4. Steely Dan - Babylon Sisters
5. The Doobie Brothers - Minute By Minute
6. Aretha Franklin - Day Dreaming
7. Outkast - Prototype
8. Miguel - Do You…
9. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Sun Is Shining
10. Smokey Robinson - Quiet Storm
11. Sade - The Sweetest Taboo
12. Maxi Priest - Close To You
13. Maxwell - Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)
14. Daft Punk - Something About Us
15. Maze - Joy and Pain
16. The Emotions - Flowers
17. The Jones Girls - Nights Over Egypt
18. Robbie Dupree - Steal Away
19. Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (Remastered)
“I’ve spent two-thirds of my life creating energy and making people dance, yet when I’m traveling, which is two-thirds of the year, I like to bring my energy down and make myself relax,” Cassidy said. “No matter the setting, no matter the weather, and no matter where in the world I am, these songs are my magic travel playlist.”
Related: How to Survive Stressful Holiday Travel
We also talked to DJ Cassidy about how he spends his time during his tenacious travel schedule.
Yahoo Travel: What is the most amount of countries you’ve been to in a single week?
DJ Cassidy: Promoting my singles “Calling All Hearts” featuring Robin Thicke & Jessie J and “Make The World Go Round” featuring R. Kelly, I traveled to England, France, Italy, Germany, and Amsterdam in six days.
Yahoo Travel: You’ve been all over the Globe in 2015. How many countries did you visit?
DJ Cassidy: I think thirteen, but I may have missed a few.
Yahoo Travel: What would you consider to be the “perfect day” in a new city?
DJ Cassidy: An amazing hotel breakfast, some shopping in which I see brands I’m not familiar with, a vintage costume jewelry store, a top-notch sushi restaurant I’ve never been to, a rocking performance, an on-demand new release movie, and a room service cheese plate.
Yahoo Travel: What city surprised you the most?
DJ Cassidy: I had never been to Milan my whole career, and then I went three times this year. The appreciation for what I do there was overwhelming. The people of that city love real music and they love to dance. Amazing food and the prettiest girls with the sexiest accents.
In the DJ booth with Naomi Campbell, Donna Karan, Pharrell, Oprah, Puff Daddy and Kerry Washington at the MET Gala After Party in 2010 (Photo courtesy: DJ Cassidy)
Yahoo Travel: What are your favorite global cities and why?
DJ Cassidy: I love London, Milan, Tokyo, and St. Tropez. They all have real culture. Music, fashion, food. They all look like paintings.
Yahoo Travel: You’re very picky about your hotels. What features/amenities does the perfect hotel room have?
DJ Cassidy: The staff must be fast and attentive. Knowing your name and remembering what you ask them does wonders. Room service must be 24 hours. They should be able prepare whatever you want at any time, within reason of course (but don’t tell me you can’t make a peanut butter and jelly or a fresh fruit smoothie with almond milk). The linens must be fresh and clean. Decorative pillows and covers are the worst. A duvet must be a duvet, no fuvets as I call them (a blanket in between two sheets which many five star hotels do have). They must have on-demand movies and should have all the latest releases. Most importantly, a great hotel room should make you not want to go home.
Yahoo Travel: Favorite meal in any global city?
DJ Cassidy: I am a longtime sushi lover and I absolutely love to try a new sushi place in every city I go to. I sit at the bar myself, meet the chef, and go crazy.
Yahoo Travel: You are often recognized for your style - which city is your favorite to shop in?
DJ Cassidy: London. Jemryn Street, Savile Row, Harrod’s, and so much more. The epitome of classic inspiration.
It takes a stylish man to pull off a pink jacket. (Photo: DJ Cassidy)
Yahoo Travel: What do you do to relax when you travel?
DJ Cassidy: Watch a movie and order room service.
Yahoo Travel: What does DJ Cassidy do during a layover?
DJ Cassidy: Pace the airport back and forth, searching for something healthy to eat.
To keep up with DJ Cassidy’s travels, follow him on Instagram @DJCassidy.
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WATCH: 3 Essential Tips to Avoid Holiday Travel Stress
