Nellie will perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural ball on Monday (January 20), insider sources confirm advertising billboard.
The 50-year-old “Hot in Herre” rapper joins a previously announced lineup of inaugural performers that includes Carrie Underwood, Kid Rock, Village People, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Parker McCollum, Lee Greenwood and Gavin DeGraw.
In an interview with Willie D Live posted on YouTube on Saturday (January 18), Nelly explained why he decided to perform. He said in part: “I apologize. I don’t know that I have to agree with your political choices, and I think that’s something you don’t do, and if you follow my lead, you say you should do it. This shouldn’t even be Argument. He’s the president. This is not a political campaign.
Nelly then added, “I don’t do this for the money. I do it because it’s an honor. I respect the office. It doesn’t matter who is in power, just like our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country, Have to go to war, have to risk their lives for anyone in power, so if they can risk their lives for anyone in office, I can definitely perform for anyone… No one is allowed to change, right? I wouldn’t be here if my past prevented me from winning. I’m not saying that at all. But that’s what I’m saying. , he is the President of the United States…”
During the interview, Nellie also addressed whether he was asked to join Kamala Harris’ campaign. The rapper said he wasn’t invited, noting, “I didn’t get 1.5 points trying to help someone get a vote.”
Nellie isn’t the only rapper taking part in Trump’s inauguration celebrations. Earlier this weekend, it was widely reported that Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy performed at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. on Friday (January 17). Performed at the President-elect’s Crypto Ball Inaugural Gala held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium.
Snoop and his fellow rappers received backlash for their performance at the event. In the comments section of a video of the performance shared on Shade Room’s Instagram, users criticized the artist’s participation. “This is culturally embarrassing and disrespectful,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “No check in the world is worth selling my soul to the devil…”
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon also covered the performance on his live broadcast, Lemon Live 5 o’clockquestioning whether Snoop and the artists were “sellouts” or “liars who only care about a dollar.”
As of press time, Snoop has yet to publicly respond to the backlash, but he did share an Instagram Story of him and Rose at the event.
