Renowned singer and actress Janelle Monae recently called out fellow musician Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., for his performance at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration on January 20. The incident occurred at a Los Angeles Grammys afterparty, where Monae used some strong words to convey her disappointment with Nelly’s actions.
Here’s everything you need to know about the incident.
Janelle Monae blasts Nelly for his performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration
Janelle Monae recently let her distaste for Nelly’s supposed inclination toward the current U.S. President known when she slammed him for taking an active part in Donald Trump’s inauguration.
While singing Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” during an afterparty with Anderson .Paak, the multi-faceted artist unapologetically screamed out, “F— you!” while addressing the rapper before stating, “I used to like Nelly but then he went to perform for Donald Trump.” (via Entertainment Weekly)
Janelle Monae also criticized Trump’s deportation plans and his apparent insensitivity toward diversity and expressed her emotions through an impromptu and targeted rap verse for Nelly. “Nelly, you sold out. I used to think he was cool, but now you look like a motherf—ing fool. . . f— you, you get a new attitude,” the “Make Me Feel” singer iterated.
Nelly was amongst several musicians, including Snoop Dogg, Claire Underwood, and Billy Ray Cyrus, who graced the stage during Trump’s inauguration at the Liberty Ball. However, his participation in the event ended up inviting backlash from the internet. While Nelly has yet to respond to Janelle Monae, he has already denied harboring any political agenda and instead claimed that he simply respects “the office.”
“It is an honor for me to perform for the president of the United States, regardless of who is in office,” the rapper had clarified earlier. “If President Biden would’ve 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,” he further stated.
