Rapper Nelly has defended his decision to play at Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration.
The Ride Wit Me hitmaker is a part of the lineup performing at Trump’s second inauguration at the US Capitol on Monday.
Other acts set to perform at events surrounding the occasion include country music artists like Carrie Underwood, Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Village People, and Jason Aldean.
In a new interview with Geto Boys’ Willie D, Nelly has defended his decision to perform at the festivities, saying ‘the things you do’ are more important than ‘the things you say should be done.’
He said: ‘I didn’t know that I had to agree with your political choices. If you follow what I do, this shouldn’t even be an argument. He is the president. He won.’
He continued: ‘I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this because it’s an honor. I respect the office. It don’t matter who is in office. The same way our brothers and sisters go to war to put their life on the line for whoever is in office. 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.’
Fans online weren’t thrilled with Nelly’s explanation, with user @BluntVoices writing: ‘Respecting the office is one thing, but ignoring the harm caused by the person in it is another. Accountability matters.’
@TheWestWolfPod posted: ‘Sooooo you did it for the money. Got it.’
@IMANlKAZE wrote: ‘Snoop Dogg and Nelly performing at the Trump inauguration? You really cannot make this up bro what the F***’
Village People – who are also set to perform – addressed the controversy surrounding their inclusion earlier this week, saying ‘music is to be performed without regard to politics.’
They continued to say they hope their performance will ‘help bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost.’
Rapper Snoop Dogg has also found himself facing huge backlash after performing at a party for the imminent inauguration.
The rapper and actor, 53, was filmed performing at the first ever ‘Crypto Ball’ hosted by former PayPal COO David Sacks.
Silicon valley investor and millionaire Sacks is set to step into the White House in his formal capacity as AI and Crypto Czar (a real job title) for cryptocurrency-shilling President-to-be Trump.
After footage of his performance was uploaded to The Shade Room on Instagram, Snoop (real name Calvin Broadus Jr.) came under fire, with some describing the move as ‘culturally embarrassing’ and ‘disrespectful.’
This came after Snoop – previously an outspoken Trump critic – backtracked, telling The Times: ‘Donald Trump? He ain’t done nothing wrong to me. He has done only great things for me.’
Referring to Trump’s pardoning of collaborator Michael Harris, who had been in prison for drugs charges, Snoop continued: ‘So I have nothing but love and respect for Donald Trump.’
Following his performance at the inauguration, Nelly will embark on a UK and European tour this summer, including shows in Birmingham, London, Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin.
Nelly defends Trump inauguration performance after massive backlash