Nationwide — Rapper Nelly has taken aim at Vice President Kamala Harris in a fiery rant, accusing her of locking up Black men and criticizing her marriage to a white man. He also defended his controversial decision to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
During an appearance on Ebro In The Morning on Hot 97, Nelly pushed back on claims that he’s “pro-Trump.” He explained that his performance at the 2017 Liberty Ball wasn’t political. It was about “respect for the office,” he said, adding that critics often twist his words to fit their own views.
Following the interview, Nelly continued the discussion on Instagram, where he criticized Harris’s record as a prosecutor. He claimed she had incarcerated more Black men than he and fellow artist Snoop Dogg have helped through their community programs.
According to the Daily Mail, Nelly also called out what he saw as double standards. He noted that some people attacked Black men with Black wives and children, while continuing to support Harris, a woman of color married to a white man with biracial children.
He went on to highlight his and Snoop Dogg’s decades-long contributions to Black communities, including scholarships, youth sports programs, and job opportunities. He said their impact speaks louder than online criticism.
Nelly again stressed that his performance at Trump’s inauguration was about honoring the presidency, not about politics. He compared his stance to the military, saying service members must serve under any commander-in-chief.
When asked about Trump being labeled a white supremacist, Nelly challenged critics to show proof. He also brought up past comments from Joe Biden and issues like the 1994 Crime Bill, suggesting both political parties have done harm to Black communities.
Reactions online were divided. Some praised Nelly for standing firm and respecting the presidency, while others felt disappointed in his stance. Still, the rapper insisted his focus remains on helping his community — not picking sides.