‘Over and Over’ maestro Nelly never changed his tune about performing at Trump’s inauguration Monday (January 20) despite seeing his name attached to thousands of disparaging remarks over and over again across social media before, during, and after the performance.
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As reported here, the 3-time GRAMMY winner took to the ‘Willie D. Live’ podcast during the weekend ahead of the live showing to defend his decision – calling the gig an “honor” while reassuring viewers it was “not political.”
And while his explanation did little to quell the backlash, Nelly (born Cornell Haynes) doubled down on the reasoning when he got to D.C. on Monday by adding some razzle dazzle to his rehearsed response by telling on-site reporters he hoped his performance “brought unity” in the way acts like Shaboozey and Beyonce have with their groundbreaking Country efforts ‘A Bar Song’ and ‘Cowboy Carter.’
He reiterated the later point across multiple interviews including one with CBS News.
“I’ve catching haters my whole career, I always try to think forward,” he told anchor Willie James Inman before launching into Beyonce comparisons. “I’ve been getting backlash since 2004 when I decided to do a song with Tim McGraw, when it was kind of unheard of. Now, you look at some of the artists that have come along. You look at Shaboozey, and even the Queen (Beyonce) and what she’s been able to do with ‘Cowboy Carter’ – I did it in 2004 when people had a lot of words to say about it.”
The story echoes one he told NewsNation the same night.
Nelly was just one of many big artists on hand to salute Trump as he reclaimed the U.S. president’s office once more. Other acts included Carrie Underwood, The Village People, and Jason Aldean.
Your thoughts?
As reported here, the 3-time GRAMMY winner took to the ‘Willie D. Live’ podcast during the weekend ahead of the live showing to defend his decision – calling the gig an “honor” while reassuring viewers it was “not political.”
And while his explanation did little to quell the backlash, Nelly (born Cornell Haynes) doubled down on the reasoning when he got to D.C. on Monday by adding some razzle dazzle to his rehearsed response by telling on-site reporters he hoped his performance “brought unity” in the way acts like Shaboozey and Beyonce have with their groundbreaking Country efforts ‘A Bar Song’ and ‘Cowboy Carter.’
He reiterated the later point across multiple interviews including one with CBS News.
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What Nelly did was totally different from Bey. Her era is rooted in history and reclamation. Just look at how she put black country artists on. Linda Martell has her first Grammy nomination at 80 years old because of Bey. It’s more than making country music.
Delusional lol
Your correct, BEYONCE has done more. He was just trying to see what sticks because no one was checking for him
DUMMY then Beyonce would have the grammy nomination not martel
Why they keep bringing Beyoncé up in everything they do? Leave that lady alone! F***!
Poor journalism you spun this to make it seem like Nelly insulted Beyonce when he didn’t. That being said, Nelly sold out smh
F*** NELLY
Nelly know damn well cowfat Carter did not open any doors for country artists