The Trump administration has been very divisive for the music industry, with a number of artists vocally criticizing Trump and his policies, while other entertainers have performed for the president and members of his MAGA movement. Now, after a MAGA-friendly concert series announced 2026’s lineup, two popular rap stars are drawing heat for joining the tour.

Surprise, dismay as Nelly, Ludacris join Kid Rock, others for conservative-leaning festival

Rock the Country, which describes itself as “a festival for the people,” recently announced the list of artists who will be performing for its 2026 series, which will feature concerts in eight locations, including Anderson, South Carolina, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The New York Times described the 2024 version of the festival as “a vision of the MAGA movement in pure party mode,” with shows that “felt like Trump rallies” without Trump. As in 2024, this year’s festival is headlined by Trump-supporter Kid Rock and includes a number of country and rock artists. However, two performer names listed on the event’s flyer have stood out to many on social media: Ludacris and Nelly.

Rock The Country 2026Sign up now for presale that starts Friday, January 16th at 10am local. Layaway plans available for all ticket types start at $2.50 down.https://t.co/3PEg7WzEsi pic.twitter.com/6n0QhAOPcM— Rock The Country (@rockthecountry_) January 12, 2026

The two rappers are now being roasted on social media for their involvement in the event. Posters shared a variety of reactions. Some were amused by the rappers’ inclusion in the lineup. “Ludacris and Nelly playing this MAGA Nazi fest is hilarious” posted the popular Wu Tang is for the Children account.

Ludacris and Nelly playing this MAGA Nazi fest is hilarious https://t.co/Hjj0DGpv0H— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) January 12, 2026

Others expressed disappointment. “All money is not good money. Ludacris, Nelly I’m not surprised by, should’ve thought long and hard before being apart of this,” one post read. “Whatever they’re offering, he can get tenfold elsewhere. Not worth the PR hassle.”

All money is not good money. Ludacris, Nelly I’m not surprised by, should’ve thought long and hard before being apart of this. Whatever they’re offering, he can get tenfold elsewhere. Not worth the PR hassle. https://t.co/r7CpS1MVqI— kevikev (@KevCoke6) January 13, 2026

How will audiences, fans react to Nelly, Ludacris?

Given Nelly’s performance at a Trump inauguration event last year, much of the criticism is being directed toward Ludacris. “Not surprised by Nelly but YOU, @Ludacris,” read one post, with a gif of comedian Bernie Mack shaking his head in disappointment.

Not surprised by Nelly but YOU, @Ludacris, https://t.co/ZheTvJxxEL pic.twitter.com/14AOMk6Ir6— Luv (@savluv3) January 13, 2026

Others offered speculation regarding how the crowd would react to Ludacris’ music. “Ludacris gon be like ‘What’s Your Fantasy’ and the audience finna be like ‘a white ethnostate,’” read another post.

Ludacris gon be like “What’s Your Fantasy” and the audience finna be like “a white ethnostate” https://t.co/vmotfDPrLh— glassJAw Rule (@InternalDivide) January 12, 2026

Others put the two artists’ participation in this festival in larger perspective, comparing Ludacris and Nelly’s inclusion in this festival to other Black artists who have been connected to Trump or the MAGA movement. “Black rich men love Trump. Let’s start shunning them the same way we did Chrisette Michelle and Nicky Minaj,” one poster wrote, adding that “Snoop, Ice Cube, Nelly, now Luda, they all need to be shamed.”

Black rich men love Trump. Let's start shunning them the same way we did Chrisette Michelle and Nicky Minaj. I dont buy music anymore from any of them. But publicly Snoop, Ice Cube, Nelly, now Luda, they all need to be shamed.— DeeDee Vice (@DeeVice80) January 13, 2026

Nelly is scheduled to perform at the Rock the Country concert in Hamburg, New York, with Kid Rock and Hank Williams Jr., while Ludacris is slated for the Anderson, South Carolina, and Ocala, Florida, shows alongside artists such as Creed and Blake Shelton. So far, Nelly and Ludacris do not appear to have commented on their inclusion in the right-leaning festival, even as comments about them and their participation continue to grow online.
The post Ludacris, Nelly Criticized For Participating In MAGA-Coded Music Festival appeared first on Blavity.



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