Nelly is speaking out against critics who have denounced his performance at tomorrow’s Liberty Inaugural Ball, one of three official balls celebrating Donald Trump’s return to the presidency.
The St. Louis rapper becomes the second performer to raise controversy by accepting to perform at the function, a few days after Carrie Underwood was criticized for the same, as we reported here.
Related: “I’m Honored” – Carrie Underwood Reacts to Upcoming Performance at the Donald Trump Inauguration
The “Dilemma” hit maker has gone ahead and addressed the appearance during an interview with Willie D Live, downplaying the political implications of the performance and stating that he’s simply honoring the moment by showing up for the event.
“I thought you was riding with me because I put on for my city and I try to bring my city up every step of the way. I did not know you was riding with me because you thought I would ride with who you voted for. I didn’t know that,” he said. “I didn’t know I had to agree with your political choices, and I thought it was the things that you do not the things that you say should be done. If you follow what I do, this shouldn’t even be an argument. He’s the president. He won. This isn’t a campaign, this isn’t an RNC. I’m not out on a political campaign.”
He further likened the performance to the same sense of civic duty that American military personnel feel in defending their country. “I’m not doing this for money, I’m doing this because it’s an honor. I respect the office. It doesn’t matter who is in office,” he said. “The same way that our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country, have to go to war and have to put their life on the line for whoever in office. So if they can put their life on the line for whoever in office, I can damn sure perform.”
Willie D criticized performing for the inauguration, suggesting it might appear as support for Donald Trump. Nelly responded, saying, “Over half the country voted for Trump. If you respect the process when it works in your favor, you should respect it when it doesn’t.”
Nelly is set to perform at the Liberty Inaugural Ball alongside Village People, whose song “Y.M.C.A.” was frequently played at Trump’s campaign rallies. The Village People addressed their participation in a Facebook post, saying, “We know not everyone will agree, but we believe music should rise above politics. Our song, ‘Y.M.C.A.,’ is a global anthem meant to unite people. After a divisive campaign where our preferred candidate lost, we feel it’s time to help bring the country together through music. That’s why we’ll be performing at events for Donald J. Trump’s 2025 inauguration.”
While Nelly and the Village People will perform at inaugural balls, the main ceremony will feature Carrie Underwood, Lee Greenwood, and Christopher Macchio. Earlier, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, and Soulja Boy performed at the Crypto Ball, sparking online debates over past statements by some of the artists.
Nelly has expressed mixed feelings about Trump in the past. In a 2017 interview with Page Six, he said, “I liked Donald Trump before he was president. His hotels were great, and I stayed in them for years. But now, as president, I can’t support him. He messed that up for me. Get it together, homie.”
