Nellie has spoken out against critics who have condemned his performance at tomorrow's Liberty Inauguration Ball, one of three official balls celebrating Donald Trump's return to the presidency.

The St. Louis rapper spoke about the performance in an interview with Willie D Live, downplaying the political implications of the performance and saying he only attended the event to commemorate the occasion.

“I thought you were going to ride with me because I fought for my city and I worked hard to get my city all the way. I didn’t know you were going to ride with me because you thought I was going to vote with you People ride together. I don’t know,” he said. "I don't know that I have to agree with your political choices, I think it's something you didn't do rather than something you said you should do. If you follow my lead, this shouldn't even be an argument. He's the president. He Winning. This is not a campaign, this is not a political campaign."

He went on to liken this performance to the sense of civic duty American service members feel when they defend their country. "I don't do it for the money, but because it's an honor. I respect the office. It doesn't matter who is in power," he said. "Just like our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country, have to go to war, have to risk their lives for whoever is in power. So if they risk their lives for whoever is in power, I can certainly show outstanding."

Willie D criticized that performing for public office meant supporting Trump. "More than half the country voted for Trump. If you respect the process when it works in your favor, respect the process when it goes against you," Nelly responded.

Numerous representatives for the rapper have not responded. typePrevious request for comment.

At the Freedom Inaugural Ball, Nellie will take the stage with the Country People, whose classic song "YMCA" became a recurring anthem during Trump campaign rallies. Village People issued a statement earlier this week about its involvement in events related to Trump's swearing-in. "We know this won't make some of you happy, but we believe music should be performed without regard to politics," the group wrote on Facebook. "Our song 'YMCA' is a global anthem, Hoping to help unite the country amid a chaotic and divisive campaign in which our preferred candidate failed, we thought it was time to use music to bring the country together, and that's why VILLAGE PEOPLE. Will Donald J. Trump 2025 Performed at various inauguration events throughout the year.”

Nelly and the Village People will perform at the ball, while Carrie Underwood, Lee Greenwood and Christopher Macchio are scheduled to perform at the inauguration. Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy appeared at a crypto dance party on Friday, sparking divided reactions online that pointed out some of the rappers' previous contradictory statements.

Nellie also had mixed feelings about Trump, telling Page Six in 2017 that she disagreed with his approach as commander-in-chief. "You know the thing about Donald Trump is I like Donald Trump, I do, I just don't like Donald Trump as my president," he said. "Man, this is a trip. Before I was president, I was great with Donald. Loved his hotels. I'm more or less mad at him because I can't stay in his hotels now. You screwed up . I've been there for 15 years and now you pull it together."

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