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BY Francis Akhalbey, 5:36am February 04, 2025,

‘You sold out’ – Janelle Monae calls out Nelly at Grammys after-party for Trump performance

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by Francis Akhalbey, 5:36am February 04, 2025,
Nelly was slammed for performing at President Trump's inauguration -- Left photo credit: Raph_PH | Right photo credit: Adam Bielawski

Singer Janelle Monae launched a no-holds-barred attack on fellow musician Nelly as she called him out during a Grammys after-party event for performing at President Donald Trump’s Liberty Inaugural Ball.

Per TMZ, the Pynk singer directly addressed the veteran rapper while performing alongside Anderson .Paak at Andy’s in West Hollywood on Sunday night. Monae and Anderson .Paak, who co-owns the establishment, attended the party after they graced the Grammys at Crypto.com Arena

Monae and Anderson .Paak were performing some songs before an excited crowd. But she went off on Nelly when his hit single Hot in Herre came up.

“I used to like Nelly … but then he performed for Donald Trump. F**k that [n word.] I don’t give a f**k … Nelly, you sold out. I used to think he was cool … F**k you [n word.] Get a new attitude,” Monae, 39, rapped.

The Yoga singer’s comments to Nelly came after a section of fans similarly called him out over his decision to perform at Trump’s inauguration. Besides Nelly, 50, other Black artists who performed at that event included Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, and Soulja Boy. The trio did not also escape criticism from some of their fans for performing at the inauguration.

READ ALSO: Trump attacks DEI policies after deadly DC plane crash

Despite the criticism, Nelly defended his actions during an interview with NewsNation. “This is not a campaign trail,” Nelly explained. 

“This is not anything that I feel like I’m influencing people to sway how they feel, but it’s more about the respect and the honor of being invited for what I like to call the greatest country on the planet.”

The Ride Wit Me rapper similarly re-echoed those sentiments during an interview on Willie D Live. “I thought you was riding with me because I put on for my city and I try to bring my city up every step of the way,” Nelly said.

“I did not know you was riding with me because you thought I would ride with who you voted for. I didn’t know that. I didn’t know I had to agree with your political choices, and I thought it was the things that you do not the things that you say should be done. If you follow what I do, this shouldn’t even be an argument. He’s the president. He won. This isn’t a campaign, this isn’t an RNC. I’m not out on a political campaign.”

READ ALSO: Why 3 members of St. Lunatics now want to be omitted from their bandmate’s $50M suit against Nelly

Last Edited by:Mildred Europa Taylor Updated: February 4, 2025

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