A litany of musicians found themselves at the center of fierce backlash after agreeing to perform at President-elect Trumpinauguration.
Rapper Nelly, who is scheduled to perform at the Liberty Ball on Monday, defended his decision to join the fun.
“I don’t do this for the money. I do this for the honor. I respect the office,” said the St. Louis native. Louis in live chat with fellow rapper Willie D.
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Rapper Nelly has defended his decision to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration ball on Monday. (Erika Goldring/Getty Images/Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“It doesn’t matter who’s in office. The same way our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country, have to go to war and have to put their lives on the line for anyone [is] in the office,” continued the rapper who was born on a military base.
“So if I can put my life on the line for anyone [is] in the office, I can damn sure perform for anyone [is] in the office.”
Nelly believes that his decision to perform is not political. (Miikka Skaffari/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
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A source close to the artist told Fox News Digital that apart from his father, Nelly’s aunts and uncles “all served in the military for our democracy and the right for all of us to vote. He personally stayed out of politics and would not campaign for anyone, but this performance is for the highest duty,” confirming that the 50-year-old considers the performance “an honor.”
During a conversation with Willie D., “Hot in Herre” the singer also directly addressed his critics, rejecting the suggestion that Trump is a white racist. “I would ask them to show me where he is a white racist,” Nelly shot back.
A source close to the rapper told Fox News Digital that he will perform at the Liberty Ball. (Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images)
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“Politics is over for me. He won! He’s the president,” the rapper said earlier in the conversation. “He is the commander-in-chief of what I would like to say is the best country in the world.”
“It’s an honor to perform for the president of the United States, regardless of who is in office. If President Biden asked me to perform, I would perform. If Vice President Kamala Harris won and I was asked to perform, I would perform,” he said.
Donald Trump has invited several A-list musicians to perform at his inauguration. (Evan Vucci/AP)
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Nelly is not the only musician playing at the inaugural events to be subject to backlash. Village artist Carrie Underwoodwho will perform “America the Beautiful” at the inauguration, released a statement before any talk, saying she chose to perform out of love for her country.
“I love our country and am honored to be invited to sing at the inauguration and be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said in a statement. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we all need to come together in a spirit of unity and look to the future.”
Other artists expected play for Trump include Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus and Lee Greenwood, who defended Underwood against haters in an interview with Fox News Digital. “For those people who have something negative to say, I say keep it to yourself. Don’t attack my friend who is here for the same reason I am here to inaugurate the 47th president of the United States,” he said.
