Janelle Monáe called Nelly “a fool” and dropped a few more F-bombs while freestyling at a Grammys after-party in Los Angeles.
‘F–k you, Nelly!” the “Electric Lady” singer shouted into the mic. “I used to like Nelly, but then he went to perform for Donald Trump.”
Video obtained by TMZ shows the 39-year-old performer rocking with a band in a packed room while launching into a rant referencing Nelly’s Jan. 20 appearance at a Trump inaugural ball.
Monáe, who came out as nonbinary in 2022 and uses she/her and they/them pronouns, claimed during Sunday’s performance that they care about minority groups and was disappointed by Nelly’s decision to perform for Trump, who’s frequently accused of bigotry.
“I used to think [Nelly] was cool, but now you look like a motherf—–ng fool…,” Monáe said. “F–k you, n—a. Get a new attitude.”
Monáe confessed to being a bit tipsy, but said she knew exactly what was going on before saying “F–k you, Nelly!” one more time.
Nelly, born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., addressed the controversy around his inauguration performance by claiming it was patriotic rather than political.
“The politics, for me, is over,” Nelly told podcaster Willie D. “It is an honor for me to perform for the President of the United States, regardless of who is in office.”
When Trump was first elected in 2016, artists like Chrisette Michele were shamed for associating themselves with a divisive but successful campaign that demonized immigrants.
“I regret everything that happened,” Michele said in a 2018 interview. “I think that was a bad choice.”
After Trump won a second-term in office, artists including the Village People, Kid Rock and Carrie Underwood sang his praises at various inaugural events last month.
Before blasting Nelly at the Sunday night party, Monáe performed Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough” and shouted “I love you so much Quincy Jones” in honor of the famed record producer who died in November.
