Rappers Snoop Dogg and Nelly are facing widespread backlash after reports surfaced of them performing during President Donald Trump's inauguration weekend.
On Friday (January 17), Snoop Dogg performed at the Crypto Ball, a celebration of Trump's inauguration hosted by incoming White House "Crypto Czar" David Sacks at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington D.C.
The rapper was seen performing his hits, including "Drop It Like It's Hot," and DJing for a group of cryptocurrency executives dressed in black tie and ball gowns. Other attendees included UFC star Colby Covington and fellow rapper Rick Ross, who also faced backlash after being spotted at the event.
The performances come after Snoop Dogg seemingly shifted his stance on the president-elect. Snoop previously issued a scathing criticism of Trump, calling his fans "motherf***** racist." The rapper also made headlines for his "Lavender" music video where he used a toy gun to shoot a fake Trump.
However, Snoop changed his tune in a January 2024 interview, saying he has "nothing but love" for Trump after he commuted the death sentence and prison term of Death Row Records founder Michael "Harry-O" Harris. Snoop advocated for Harris' release with activist Alice Johnson and producer Weldon Angelos.
Trump "ain't done nothing wrong to me," the artist told British newspaper The Sunday Times.
"He has done only great things for me. He pardoned Michael Harris. So, I have nothing but love and respect for Donald Trump," he added.
Social media users swiftly condemned Snoop for performing at an event celebrating Trump's inauguration.
Nelly also faced heat ahead of his performance at the Inaugural Liberty Ball on Monday. In response to the backlash, Nelly defended his decision to perform at the Trump celebration in an interview with "Willie D Live."
"We tend to sometimes make a quick, I would say, response to something that on the surface may seem it's effed up because we don't agree on something else," Nelly said. "I'm not political. I'm not out here trying to tell anyone who they should vote for. This is not a campaign trail."
"I respect the office. This isn't politics. The politics, for me it's over. He won. He's the president. He's the commander-in-chief of what I would like to say is the best country in the world," he added.
Nelly's explanation didn't stop social media users from blasting him over the upcoming performance. See their reactions below.
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