Janelle Monáe Calls Out Nelly Over Trump Inauguration Performance at Grammys After-Party
Janelle Monáe stirred controversy at a Grammys after-party in Los Angeles on Sunday night when she publicly criticized rapper Nelly for his past performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The outspoken singer made her remarks during an impromptu freestyle session with Anderson .Paak at Andy’s in West Hollywood, a venue co-owned by .Paak.
After attending the Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena, the two artists took the stage at the after-party, performing a mix of songs—including Nelly’s 2002 hit Hot in Herre. However, when the song played, Monáe seized the moment to take a jab at Nelly.
In footage obtained by TMZ, Monáe altered the lyrics, rapping:
“I used to like Nelly … but then he performed for Donald Trump. Fk that [N-word]. I don’t give a fk … Nelly, you sold out. I used to think he was cool … F**k you [N-word]. Get a new attitude.”
Her remarks sparked mixed reactions from the crowd, with some cheering and others appearing surprised. Monáe, a vocal critic of Trump and his administration, made it clear she hasn’t forgiven Nelly for taking the stage at Trump’s 2017 inauguration ball.
Last month, Nelly addressed the backlash in an interview with NewsNation, defending his decision:
“This is not a campaign trail. This is not anything that I feel like I’m influencing people to sway how they feel, but it’s more about the respect and the honor of being invited for what I like to call the greatest country on the planet.”
The after-party, packed with celebrities fresh from the Grammys, unexpectedly became the stage for Monáe to reignite discussions about the intersection of politics and entertainment—proving once again that the industry remains deeply divided over Trump’s legacy.
