Nationwide — Multi-platinum promoting rapper Nelly is asking for unity amid ongoing controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s presidency. In an interview with Fox Information, the St. Louis native defined why he selected to carry out at Trump’s Liberty Ball in January, emphasizing that his choice was rooted in selling togetherness and respecting the workplace of the presidency, not endorsing any political determine.
“I’m a glass-half-full kind of man,” Nelly shared. “I’m extra empowered by bringing individuals collectively and ensuring all of us get what we want, after we want it, and why we want it.” His remarks are available in response to social media backlash after he took the stage on the Liberty Ball, with some followers expressing disappointment over the occasion.
Nevertheless, Nelly, who’s married to singer Ashanti, mentioned his efficiency had nothing to do with politics. In a previous dialog with fellow rapper Willie D, he defined that the chance represented a broader message. “I’m not doing this for cash. I’m doing this as a result of it’s an honor,” he mentioned. “It don’t matter who’s in workplace. Our brothers and sisters within the army go to battle and threat their lives for whoever is in cost. If they’ll do this, I can carry out.”
Nelly’s respect for the army stems from private expertise. Born on a army base, the rapper comes from a household of servicemen and ladies, together with his father, uncles, and aunts. A supply near him mentioned that upbringing performs a big function in shaping his views on service, responsibility, and pleasure in nation.
Though Nelly steers away from political campaigns and refuses to align with any get together, he sees occasions just like the Liberty Ball as moments to rise above partisanship. “The politics, for me, is over. He gained. He’s the president,” he mentioned. “He’s the commander in chief of what I consider remains to be the most effective nation on the planet.”
By his actions, Nelly is urging People to look previous political divisions and focus as a substitute on shared values and mutual respect.