Janelle Monáe did not mince words when she called out fellow artist Nelly for performing at former President Donald Trump’s inauguration. During a heated moment at a Grammys afterparty, Monáe blasted the rapper in front of a crowd, making her stance on his decision abundantly clear.
A Fiery Call-Out at the Grammys Afterparty
Monáe’s comments came during an impromptu performance at an exclusive afterparty, where she covered Nelly’s hit song Hot in Herre. In a video captured by TMZ, Monáe could be heard rapping:
“F*** you, Nelly. I used to like Nelly, but then he went to perform for Donald Trump. Nelly, you sold out. I used to think he was cool, but now you look like a motherf***ing fool.”
The crowd reportedly reacted with a mix of shock and cheers as Monáe continued to express her strong disapproval.
The Backlash Against Nelly’s Trump Performance
Nelly’s decision to perform at Trump’s inaugural ball last month was met with immediate backlash. Many fans and fellow artists criticized him for what they perceived as an endorsement of the former president—someone who has been widely divisive in the music and entertainment industry.
Nelly, however, defended his decision, claiming that his performance was not political.
“I’m not out here trying to tell anybody who they should vote for,” he explained. “This isn’t politics. The politics, for me, is over. He won! He’s the president.”
But Monáe clearly did not see it that way.
Monáe’s Passionate Activism
Janelle Monáe has long been an outspoken advocate for social justice, equality, and inclusivity. Over the years, the Dirty Computer singer has used her platform to address issues affecting marginalized communities.
Her anger at Nelly stems from her belief that performing at a Trump event is a form of complicity—an endorsement, whether intentional or not. And she isn’t the only artist who feels this way.
How the Music Industry Has Reacted to Trump
Donald Trump’s presidency caused deep divisions in the entertainment world. While a handful of artists aligned with him, many, particularly in the hip-hop and R&B scenes, distanced themselves from anything associated with his administration.
Several high-profile musicians, including:
- Rihanna
- Bruce Springsteen
- John Legend
refused to perform at his inauguration in 2017. Even Kanye West, once a known Trump supporter, later seemed to step away from his previous stance.
In this environment, artists who did choose to perform at Trump’s official events—such as Nelly—faced immense public scrutiny.
A War of Words or Something Deeper?
Monáe’s criticism of Nelly isn’t just about music—it’s about what an artist’s choices represent. The debate over whether musicians should stay neutral or take a stand on political matters has been ongoing for decades. But in today’s landscape, silence—or perceived acceptance—can be as controversial as speaking out.
Will Nelly respond to Monáe’s remarks? And will this incident spark a larger conversation about accountability in the music industry?
The Bigger Picture
This moment between Monáe and Nelly reflects a larger climate in which artists face increasing pressure to take clear stances on political and social issues. While some believe entertainers should remain neutral, others argue that they have a responsibility to stand up for their values.
And for Monáe, neutrality was never an option.
Only time will tell whether the backlash against Nelly will fade—or whether more artists will join Monáe in speaking out. But one thing is certain: this feud is far from over.
Source: Hollywood Reporter