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‘This isn’t politics’: Nelly defends decision to perform at Trump inauguration ball after backlash

Rapper says he is honoured to perform for the US president after he and other acts, including Village People and Billy Ray Cyrus, faced criticism

Other acts who are performing at Trump’s various inauguration events include Carrie Underwood, Gavin DeGraw and Billy Ray Cyrus, who have also faced a backlash from fans. During a livestreamed conversation with fellow rapper Willie D on Sunday, Nelly said he was “not political” or “trying to tell anybody who they should vote for” by agreeing to perform at a Trump event. Over the weekend, Rick Ross, Soulja Boy and Snoop Dogg were also criticised after they performed at the Crypto Ball in Washington DC, an event described by organisers as a “celebratory setting intended to honour … America’s first ‘crypto president’.” The 1,500 attendees, who paid upwards of $2,500 for a seat, were reportedly given “Make Bitcoin Great Again” red baseball caps.

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