Rappers cozy up with MAGA during Trump inauguration festivities

Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy are just some of the rappers in D.C. for the president-elect’s inauguration events.

Screengrabs from X.

Several rappers performed at a swanky Washington venue during President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration weekend, drawing criticism as entertainers appear far cozier with MAGA this time around.

Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy took the stage Friday for the inaugural “Crypto Ball” at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium just a few blocks from the White House. Hosted by Trump’s “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar” David Sacks, attendees shelled out up to $5,000 for the opportunity to rub shoulders with the celebs, crypto figures and CEOs.

“They let a real crip up in the Crypto Ball,” Snoop Dogg remarked in a video from the event. In other videos, the rappers were seen performing some of their hits, from Snoop’s feature on Dr. Dre’s “The Next Episode” to Soulja Boy’s “Turn My Swag On.”

The videos are in stark contrast to Trump’s first term, when several of the rappers who performed this weekend criticized him. In 2020, Snoop called the president-elect a “racist,” and listed all of the groups he’s disrespected. Before that, in 2017, he said he would “roast the fuck out of” any Black entertainer who performed for Trump at his first inauguration.

Snoop has changed his tune as of late, following Trump’s 2021 decision to pardon Death Row Records co-founder Michael 'Harry-O' Harris. “He ain’t done nothing wrong to me. He has done only great things for me. He pardoned Michael Harris,” Snoop told The Sunday Times in Jan. 2024. “So I have nothing but love and respect for Donald Trump.”

Rick Ross and Soulja Boy have also made comments critical of the president-elect over the years.

More artists are reportedly in town to mark Trump’s inauguration, further accentuating MAGA’s growing relationship with rappers.

Nelly was tapped to perform at one of Trump's three official inaugural balls, CBS News reports. The rapper has since spoken out about the invitation, telling Geto Boys rapper Willie D on his podcast that critics need to show him proof that Trump is a white supremacist.

“He’s the president. He won,” Nelly said.

“I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this because it’s an honor,” he continued.

Kodak Black, Fivio Foreign and Rod Wave are also expected to pop up for the president-elect’s inaugural events this weekend.

Keith Boykin, a CNN analyst and former White House aide, blasted the artists for performing at Trump’s inauguration activities, stating their decisions are a “dishonor” to the Black community.

Fans of the artists and other onlookers expressed their disappointment on social media.

“So many of the 90s male rappers and singers are Trumpers. When you consider some of the lyrics, it makes sense,” KirkWrites79 said. “Most these boys just wanted to be rich and for the cops to let them commit crimes without punishment.”

“I don’t know why ppl are shocked about Nelly, Snoop Dog, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy performing at Trump Inauguration events. 90% of celebrities secretly voted for Trump because they rich & want tax cuts,” itsssV posted on social media. “Maybe about 10% really care about their fans & others.”

“Chrisette Michele has yet to recover from performing at Trump's inauguration in 2017. Yet, Snoop, Nelly, Soulja Boy, and Rick Ross will be fine,” KevCoke6 wrote. “The ‘cancel’ culture goalpost moves depending on your cultural equity and who you're affiliated with.”

“Disappointed but not surprised at Snoop doing that. Capitalism over morality, every time,” YusufYuie said.

“Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, and Nelly should all be ashamed of themselves. All money is not good money,” MJFINESSELOVER wrote.