Nelly has defended his decision to play at Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration party, calling it “an honour”.
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The St. Louis rapper will be part of the line-up at the Republican’s second inauguration at the US Capitol on Monday (January 20), although the event has been moved indoors due to the expectation of dangerously cold weather.
Other acts on the bill include Carrie Underwood, Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Village People and Jason Aldean.
Nelly has taken on any criticism of his inclusion at the event during a new interview with Geto Boys’ Willie D, where he argued that “the things you do” are more important than “the things you say should be done”.
“I didn’t know that I had to agree with your political choices,” he continued. “If you follow what I do, this shouldn’t even be an argument. He is the president. He won.”
“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.”
In a statement (via Deadline), event organisers Steve Witkoff and Kelly Loeffler called the inauguration “a celebration of music, unity, and patriotism, ushering in America’s new Golden Age.”
Trump’s 2017 inauguration featured performances from Rockettes, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and America’s Got Talent singer Jackie Evancho. Obama’s first inauguration in 2009 saw Aretha Franklin perform, while Beyonce and Kelly Clarkson sang at his second inauguration in 2013.
Earlier this week, Village People addressed their inclusion, and said that they agreed to play as they think “music is to be performed without regard to politics”. They also recalled that while the appearance “won’t make some of you happy”, they hope it will “help bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost”.
Nelly, meanwhile, is preparing for a UK and European tour this summer, including shows in Birmingham, London, Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin. Find any remaining tickets here.
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