°µºÚ±¬ÁÏ

© 2025
NPR °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ, Colorado Stories
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Snoop Dogg and others face heat for performing at Trump's pre-inauguration ball

Snoop Dogg performs onstage during Recording Academy Honors in February 2023.
Amy Sussman
/
Getty Images
Snoop Dogg performs onstage during Recording Academy Honors in February 2023.

This story first appeared in , where you can find more coverage and context from the day.


The rapper Snoop Dogg has been taking for performing at one of President Trump's pre-inauguration events over the weekend.

He, along with rappers Soulja Boy and Rick Ross, performed at the Crypto Ball — an event honoring Trump, billing him

Social media users were out that Snoop Dogg had previously criticized anyone performing for President Trump in 2017. "I'm waiting. I'm gonna roast the f*** outta you," Snoop Dogg said ahead of , calling anyone willing to perform "Uncle Toms."

Snoop Dogg has yet to respond to the criticism. But Soulja Boy, the rapper behind the 2007 hit "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," responded to the criticism online

One of the people defending the rappers is Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, : "Performers at least know they are there to perform and get paid, but these politicians who ran their mouth for 4 yrs and are now willing to be there and clap for him, that's who they should be mad at. They lied to you and your criticism/anger should be rightfully directed at them."

Another rapper set to perform at an inaugural event today is Nelly. He defended his decision in an interview with Willie D, saying it wasn't . "I'm here to perform for the office," he said.

Country star Carrie Underwood also had to defend her planned appearance at today's inauguration. "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," she said in a .

Copyright 2025 NPR

Andrew Limbong is a reporter for NPR's Arts Desk, where he does pieces on anything remotely related to arts or culture, from streamers looking for mental health on Twitch to Britney Spears' fight over her conservatorship. He's also covered the near collapse of the live music industry during the coronavirus pandemic. He's the host of NPR's Book of the Day podcast and a frequent host on Life Kit.