Nelly defended his decision to perform at Monday’s presidential inauguration events following the backlash the rapper faced for participating at the Liberty Ball celebrating Donald Trump’s second term.
In a video interview with Geto Boys’ Willie D, Nelly said, “I respect the office. This isn’t politics. Politics for me is over; [Trump] won, he’s the Commander-in-Chief.”
“I was born in a military base in Austin. My father served, my grandfather served, my uncle served, my auntie served. I’ve been entertaining the troops all over this world,” Nelly added, noting that the military serve regardless if the person they voted for wins. “If these people can give their live for the office, Nelly can perform for it.”
“I love this country as well. It is an honor for me to perform for the President of the United States, regardless of who is in office,” Nelly added.
“If President Biden would have asked me to perform, I would’ve performed. If Vice President Kamala Harris would’ve won and asked me to perform, I would’ve performed. I did a thing with Vice President Kamala Harris last year or a year or two ago, a Juneteenth event. I respect the office, it wasn’t politics.”
While the majority of the performers at the Trump inauguration events are country stars (like Jason Aldean, Parker McCollum, Rascal Flatts, and Carrie Underwood, who will sing “America the Beautiful” during the inauguration at the U.S. Capitol) and the Village People, Nelly is one of the few hip-hop acts currently on the bill.
Speaking to his fans who were disappointed by his decision to perform at the inauguration events, Nelly first listed off his philanthropic efforts outside of politics. “I apologize: I didn’t know I had to agree with your political choices and thought it was the things that would do, not that the things that you say should be done,” he said.
Nelly added, “He’s the president. He won. This isn’t a campaign, this isn’t an RNC. I’m not on a political campaign… I’m not doing this for money, I’m doing this ’cause it’s an honor. I respect the office. It don’t matter who is in office. The same way our men and women, our brothers and sisters enlisted to protect this country have to go to war and put their life on the line for whoever in office. If they can to put their life on the line for whoever in office, I can damn sure perform for whoever in office.”
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