Grammy-winning rapper Nelly and hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg are facing backlash for their performances during this year’s presidential inauguration events. Now, one of the artists is responding to the backlash.
Nelly, who performed at Monday’s inaugural ball following President Trump’s swearing-in, addressed the criticism in a livestream with rapper Willie D. He emphasized that his performance wasn’t political but a way to show love for his country.
“This isn’t politics. The politics for me is over… he won, he’s the president, he’s the commander-in-chief of what I would like to say is the best country in the world,” Nelly said during the livestream.
The rapper also clarified the distinction between endorsing a candidate and performing at an event, saying he supports the office of the president regardless of who holds it.
“If President Biden would have asked me to perform, I would have performed. If Vice President Kamala Harris had won and asked me to perform, I would have performed,” he added.
Meanwhile, Snoop Dogg headlined the Crypto Ballon Friday, Jan. 17, alongside rapper Rick Ross. The event brought together prominent figures in the cryptocurrency industry and was part of the weekend’s inauguration celebrations.
Although President Trump did not attend the Crypto Ball, the event sparked online backlash. Some social media users criticized Snoop for participating, pointing out that he previously condemned artists who performed at Trump’s first inauguration, calling them “Uncle Tom’s.”
