Nelly is speaking out against critics who denounced her performance at Liberty’s inaugural ball tomorrow, one of three official balls celebrating Donald Trump’s return to the presidency.
The St. Louis rapper spoke about the appearance during an interview with Willie D Live, downplaying the political implications of the performance and stating that he was simply honoring the moment by showing up at the event.
“I thought you were riding with me because I dress for my city and I try to move my city forward every step of the way. I didn’t know you were riding with me because you thought I would ride with whoever you voted for. I didn’t know that,” he said. “I didn’t know I had to agree with your policy choices, and I thought what you said shouldn’t be done. If you follow what I do, this shouldn’t even be an argument. It’s the president. He won. This is not a campaign, this is not an RNC. I’m not on a political campaign.”
He went on to compare the performance to the same sense of civic duty that U.S. service members feel when defending their country. “I don’t do this for the money, I do this because it’s an honor. I respect the office. It doesn’t matter who is in power,” he said. “In the same way that our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country, must go to war and risk their lives for whoever is in power. So if they can risk their lives for whoever is in power, I can definitely succeed.
Willie D criticized the fact that running for office meant appearing in support of Trump. “More than half of this country voted for Trump. If you respect the process when it works in your favor, respect the process when it doesn’t work in your favor,” Nelly responded.
Many of the rapper’s representatives have not responded Varietyprevious requests for comment.
At Liberty’s inaugural ball, Nelly will take the stage alongside the Village People, whose classic “YMCA” has become a recurring song played at Trump campaign rallies. Village People released a statement earlier this week about its involvement in the events surrounding Trump’s swearing-in. “We know this won’t please some of you, but we believe music should be played without regard to politics,” the band wrote on Facebook. “Our YMCA song is a global anthem that will hopefully help bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign in which our favorite candidate lost. Therefore, we believe now is the time to bring the country together through music, which is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events in support of Donald J. Trump’s 2025 inauguration.
While Nelly and Village People will perform at the balls, Carrie Underwood, Lee Greenwood and Christopher Macchio are expected to perform at the inauguration itself. Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy appeared at the Crypto Ball on Friday, sparking controversial online reactions that highlighted previous contradictory statements from some rappers.
Nelly also sang a different tune about Trump, telling Page Six in 2017 that he disagreed with his approach as commander in chief. “You know, the thing about Donald Trump is, I liked Donald Trump, I liked him, I just don’t like Donald Trump as president,” he said . “Man, it’s a trip. Before the presidency, I was cool with the Donald. I loved his hotels. I’m kind of mad at him because I can’t stay at his hotel now. You fucked that up. And I’ve lived there for 15 years, and now you take that away. Pull yourself together, buddy.
