If it wasn’t already obvious that President Donald Trump’s second term has attracted supporters from all walks of life, just take a look at the musical artists who have agreed to perform during his inauguration ceremony.
Nelly, the rapper known for his massive hit “Hot In Herre,” recently said he was honored to have the opportunity even as many media figures and even some of his Trump-hating fans raked him over the coals for it.
As Fox News reported:
“I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this ’cause it’s an honor. I respect the office,” the St. Louis native said in a live conversation with fellow rapper, Willie D.
“It don’t matter who is in office. 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 [is] in office,” the rapper, who was born on a military base, continued.
“So, if they can put their life on the line for whoever [is] in office, I can damn sure perform for whoever [is] in office.”
A source close to the artist told Fox News Digital that in addition to his father, Nelly’s aunts and uncles “all served in the military for our democracy and the right for us all to vote. He has personally stayed away from politics and wouldn’t participate in campaigning for anyone, but this performance is for the highest office,” reaffirming that the 50-year-old considers the performance to be “an honor.”
During the conversation with Willie D., the “Hot in Herre” singer also spoke directly to his critics, balking at the suggestion that Trump was a white supremacist. “I would ask them to show me where he’s a white supremacist,” Nelly retorted.
His respectful remarks were applauded by many on social media, though more than a few were still upset about the performance:
Good for you Nelly
— Dawn (@LongIslandDawn) January 19, 2025
What I don’t understand about the Black community is that some are saying they’re about to block Nelly for performing at Trump’s inauguration, yet they still listen to R. Kelly’s music—a man known for sleeping with underage girls. pic.twitter.com/1dzEPb2LAW
— Nique ✌🏾✊🏾 (@UnadornedBliss) January 17, 2025
Snoop Dogg also courted controversy by agreeing to perform ahead of the inauguration despite his previously harsh assessment of Trump’s first term:
Snoop Dogg in 2017 called people performing at Trump’s inauguration ‘jigaboo as* ni***s’
He was performing at Trump’s Crypto Ball the other day
What changed? pic.twitter.com/aoErXwAYWa
— RT (@RT_com) January 19, 2025
Here are some other artists on hand to perform in D.C. for the inauguration, per KTLA:
At Monday’s swearing-in ceremony, eight-time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood will sing “America the Beautiful,” and the national anthem will be sung by opera tenor Christopher Macchio.
The Make America Great Again Victory Rally will feature performances by ardent Trump supporter Kid Rock as well as The Village People, who took to social media to state that their performance is not an endorsement of the President-elect “no matter what [anyone says] to the contrary” and that the band supports the fact that America has a new president who should receive well wishes “until he gives us a reason not to.”
Also performing at the victory rally are Billy Ray Cyrus and Lee Greenwood (known for the song “God Bless the U.S.A.”) as is the Liberty University Praise Choir.
Here’s a clip of Nelly’s recent remarks:
“He’s the President! He WON! I’m not on the campaign trail!”
Rap superstar Nelly responds to backlash after the news that he will be performing during Donald Trump’s Inaugural Ball.pic.twitter.com/yHfQ8nFDdP
— Rob Smith (@robsmithonline) January 19, 2025
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