Nationwide — Rappers Ludacris and Nelly are set to perform at the upcoming Rock The Country festival, sparking debate online. Fans are questioning their presence at an event widely dubbed the “MAGA Music Fest” despite its mostly country and rock line-up.
According to WBLS, the 2026 Rock The Country tour will hit eight U.S. cities, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with a mix of country, rock, and a few hip-hop acts. Other performers include Kid Rock, Creed, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, and Jelly Roll. The festival emphasizes patriotism and “freedom,” though critics see it as leaning toward a red-state, MAGA-friendly vibe.
Since the line-up was announced, social media users have expressed surprise and disappointment. Some called Ludacris and Nelly “sellouts” or accused them of chasing money. Fans also noted their names appear last in the first block of headliners, sparking discussions about tokenism.
Nelly has faced similar scrutiny before after performing at a Trump inauguration event. He defended himself, saying he respected the office and had no political agenda. “Nobody’s doing that anymore. Everybody’s, ‘Oh, oh, if you did this, you are for him,’” he said.
For the festival, Nelly will perform in Hamburg, New York, alongside Kid Rock and Hank Williams Jr. Ludacris is scheduled for shows in Anderson, South Carolina, and Ocala, Florida, sharing the stage with Creed and Blake Shelton. Neither rapper has publicly commented on the backlash surrounding their participation.