Many rap fans deplore seeing their idols take part in concerts in honor of Donald Trump and his inauguration, which takes place this Monday, January 20.
Where we didn’t expect them. On Friday, January 17, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy all performed at the Crypto Ball, a cryptocurrency investors’ gala held in Washington, D.C. The presence of the three rappers at this pro-Donald Trump event, three days before the inauguration of the new President of the United States in the same city, earned them a flood of criticism on social networks. Nelly, star rapper of the 2000s who will perform during the inauguration, faces the same criticisms.
On its official website, the Crypto Ball made no secret of its pro-Donald Trump sensibility. The event was billed as “a celebration to honor the presidential inauguration, America’s first ‘cryptopresident,’ President-elect Donald J. Trump, his government and his upcoming administration.”
The day after the party, online media outlet The Shade Room posted videos featuring Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy performing there. Images which surprised their audience, accustomed to seeing the world of rap opposing the Republican camp.
“Culturally, it’s shameful and it’s a lack of respect,” we can read among the many outraged reactions to The Shade Room’s publications. “We’re going to have to ‘cancel’ some celebrities…”, commented another Internet user.
Former Trump detractor
The presence of Snoop Dogg is all the more surprising as the 53-year-old rapper has been very virulent towards Donald Trump in the past. In 2017, in a clip, he showed himself brandishing a fake gun towards an actor dressed as Donald Trump in clown makeup.
“There’s no way you’re going to vote for Donald Trump when he runs again,” he said in a video posted in 2019. “If you vote for him, you’re f***ing morons,” he added.
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While Snoop Dogg has not directly responded to criticism of his participation in the Crypto Ball, he has since posted a video of himself alongside Rick Ross at the event, in which he gives a peace sign to the camera. In his Instagram story, we can currently see a video of a man dancing accompanied by the words: “What I’m doing while you criticize me.”
“Trump put money in my pockets”
Soulja Boy responded less subtly to his detractors with a video posted on social networks: “Obama never put money in my f****** pockets”, he said to the camera. “Kamala never put money in my f****** pockets.” He then presents a wad of bills: “Trump put money in my pockets.”
Nelly has faced the same criticism since the American press reported that he would perform at the inauguration of Donald Trump. The artist known for his hits Hot in Here et Dilemmain duo with Kelly Rowland, reacted on Sunday January 19 in the Willie D Live podcast:
“I don’t do this for money, I do it because it’s an honor. I respect the presidency, no matter who won it,” he assured. “If men and women risk their lives on the front regardless of the president, I can guarantee a concert.”
“This is not a presidential campaign, nor is it the Republican National Committee. I am not participating in a political campaign,” he added. “More than half the country voted for Trump. If you respect the democratic process when it goes your way, you have to respect it when it doesn’t go your way,” insisted the rapper.
Other artists will participate in the festivities this Monday. Many of them come from the country world, like Carrie Underwood or Billy Ray Cyrus; a less unexpected music, country being assimilated to the rural world and deemed conservative.
