Janelle Monae Blasts Nelly At Grammys Party For Controversial Trump Performance

Janelle Monáe didn’t hold back at a Grammy after-party in Los Angeles on Sunday night (Feb. 2), taking aim at Nelly for his recent performance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

The outspoken singer and actress made her stance clear during an impromptu rap session with Anderson .Paak at Andy’s in West Hollywood following the 67th Grammy Awards. The two stars were in the middle of a medley when Nelly’s 2002 hit “Hot in Herre” came on, prompting an unexpected freestyle from Monáe that took direct shots at the rapper.

“F**k you Nelly!” she yelled out on the mic. “I used to like Nelly… but then he went to perform for Donald Trump. F**k that ni**a. I don’t give a f**k. I’m with my family ain’t nobody gonna hate on us. I care about women.”

She continued to rap, “Nelly, you sold out. I used to think you was cool. Now you look like a motherf**king fool. I might be a little tipsy but I know everything I’m saying. F**k you ni**a. Get a new attitude.” Surprisingly, the crowd cheered her on.

The moment, captured in footage obtained by TMZ, quickly spread online—reigniting the controversy over Nelly’s decision to perform at the Freedom Ball. The rapper has already faced significant backlash for the appearance, though he has defended his choice.

Addressing the criticism last month in an interview with NewsNation, Nelly explained his reasoning. “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,” he stated.

“Regardless of what differences we may have, its all about coming together,” he added.

As Nelly has not responded to Monáe’s “performance” about him, it’s clear where she stands—and judging by the crowd, she’s not alone.

See her impromptu rap about the Country Grammar rapper and his stance on his inauguration appearance below.