Nelly Set To Perform At Donald Trump’s Presidential Inauguration: Sources
St. Louis rapper Nelly has reportedly been added to the line-up celebrating the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States.
According to various sources close to the event planning — via CBS News — the Country Grammar artist will perform during the Inaugural Liberty Ball on Jan. 20.
Nelly will be joined in welcoming the president back to office by several other — mostly country — artists, including American Idol winner Carrie Underwood, who is set to sing “America the Beautiful.”
“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said in a statement provided to NPR of the opportunity. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
Classical tenor Christopher Macchio will perform the national anthem during the swearing-in ceremony, with Lee Greenwood, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Parker McCollum, Gavin DeGraw, Liberty University’s Praise Choir, The Village People and Kid Rock all set to hit the stage at some point during the festivities.
The marching band from HBCU Mississippi Valley State was also invited to perform at the ceremony, but received massive backlash after requesting donations via GoFundMe to afford the trip.
Another noticeable absence will be that of former First Lady Michelle Obama, who will be skipping the inauguration — just as she did Pres. Jimmy Carter’s funeral — while her husband, former Pres. Barack Obama, will be in attendance. He will be joined by fellow former Presidents Bush and Clinton, as well as their wives, Laura Bush, and former Secretary Of State, Hillary Clinton.
VIBE has reached out to a rep for Nelly for comment.