St. Louis native and Atlanta resident Nelly has made headlines for his decision to perform at President Trump’s Inauguration Day festivities. In a recent interview, Nelly expressed his respect for the office of the president and highlighted his family’s military background as a reason for his participation in the event.

Born on a military base in Austin, Texas, Nelly shared that he feels honored to be asked to perform for a president for the first time. Despite his performance, Nelly emphasized that his decision does not reflect his political views and that he believes it is important to differentiate between entertaining and supporting political figures.

Responding to questions about his motivation for participating in the inauguration, Nelly did not disclose whether he was compensated for his performance. However, he clarified that his decision was not driven by financial gain. Throughout the conversation, Nelly stressed the importance of embracing diverse opinions in society, citing historical figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X as examples of individuals who valued differing viewpoints.

Despite facing online backlash for his involvement in the inauguration, Nelly remains unfazed. The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee confirmed his appearance at the Liberty Ball, where he will join other artists such as Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, and the Village People in celebrating President Trump’s victory.

In addition to Nelly, other rappers like Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, and Soulja Boy have participated in Trump’s inauguration festivities. While Ross clarified that he was not performing at the event, he expressed his support for his fellow artists. Nelly, known for his hit songs, is set to headline the Where the Party At Tour with Eve and Ja Rule in September, showcasing a variety of his discography at the upcoming event.

As Nelly prepares for his performance at the inauguration, he remains tight-lipped about the specifics of his setlist. However, fans can expect a blend of his popular tracks as he takes the stage to entertain the audience.