Home Entertainment Nelly’s inauguration ball drama amid ‘tensions’ with Ashanti as he’s blocked from performing hit single

Nelly’s inauguration ball drama amid ‘tensions’ with Ashanti as he’s blocked from performing hit single

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Nelly has been blocked from performing her hit single, Dilemma, by collaborator Kelly Rowland, sources tell DailyMail.com.

Nelly’s controversial decision to perform for Donald Trump at his inauguration ball has not only gotten him in trouble with his fans, but also with his former collaborator, and could even threaten to rock his marriage.

The rapper, who along with Snoop Dogg agreed to take part in the celebrations, faced harsh criticism when he was introduced as part of the poster, and later revealed that he had accepted the offer out of “respect” for the position.

Now, sources have told DailyMail.com that Nelly, 50, faced “overnight drama” when Kelly Rowland refused to give him permission to perform her 2002 hit single Dilemma.

“Kelly has stopped Nelly from performing Dilemma at the inauguration to stand in solidarity with his presidential pick, Kamala Harris,” a source said.

The source noted that the Destiny’s Child star, 43, had no knowledge of Nelly’s decision to take action and that her team will issue a “takedown notice” if he challenges her.

“She was stunned when she found out that Nelly was going to perform and informed her group that he did not have her consent to perform the song,” the source continued. “Your team is absolutely prepared to issue a takedown notice if he defies your order.”

Nelly has been blocked from performing her hit single, Dilemma, by collaborator Kelly Rowland, sources tell DailyMail.com.

The news comes amid continued backlash over the rapper's decision to perform at Donald Trump's inauguration ball on Monday.

The news comes amid continued backlash over the rapper’s decision to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration ball on Monday.

“She doesn’t want any of her songs performed at Trump’s inauguration.”

Dilemma topped the charts for 10 non-consecutive weeks after its release in June 2002 and earned Nelly and Rowland the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance. It was also nominated for Record of the Year.

The single, about a man who is in love with a woman in a relationship, replaced Nelly’s hit Hot In Herre at the top of the charts and sold more than 7 million copies worldwide.

In 2020, Dilemma became one of the first rap music videos to amass one billion views on YouTube.

There are fears that the controversy surrounding the rapper’s Ride Wit Me inaugural performance is also having a negative impact on his wife, Ashanti.

The couple, who first dated between 2003 and 2013, reconnected in 2023 and secretly married in December of that year.

They welcomed their first child, Kareem Kenkaide Hayes, in July 2024.

Fans of his wife, 44, have expressed their disdain for Nelly since it was first announced she would be performing.

1737403664 420 Nellys inauguration ball drama amid tensions with Ashanti as hes

“Kelly has stopped Nelly from performing her hit single Dilemma in solidarity with his presidential pick, Kamala Harris,” the source (pictured in 2002) said.

It is feared that the controversy surrounding the rapper's inaugural Ride Wit Me performance is also having a negative impact on his wife, Ashanti (pictured June 2023).

It is feared that the controversy surrounding the rapper’s inaugural Ride Wit Me performance is also having a negative impact on his wife, Ashanti (pictured June 2023).

“Nelly is not afraid of the criticism he receives,” noted a second source. “He will make more money from the concert than from the sales of his albums in recent years.”

‘But people close to Ashanti are worried about the repercussions for her.

“His music career is in a better place and could alienate his core fan base.”

In fact, the backlash is already affecting the Foolish singer, and the Ashanti News fan account on Instagram revealed on Sunday that it will no longer be active.

“In light of the recent news about Nelly and the decisions she has made… I can no longer lead @AshantiNews or support The Haynes in the direction they are going,” read a statement addressed to the accounts of 110,000 followers. ‘It’s more than disappointing.

‘For over 20 years, it’s been amazing to connect Ashanti fans around the world and share news, videos and photos. I will miss you so much! Take care.’

Others shared similar reactions, with one fan writing on X: ‘Ashanti needs to sit her man down. You are about to ruin his image/career along with your own.

Another wrote: “I was looking forward to Nelly and Ashanti’s little reality show… now I have to cancel him and even their partnership.” Sigh.’

The couple, who first dated between 2003 and 2013, reconnected in 2023 and secretly married in December of that year.

The couple, who first dated between 2003 and 2013, reconnected in 2023 and secretly married in December of that year.

Fans of Ashanti, 44, have expressed their disdain for Nelly since it was first announced she would be performing, and one fan account revealed on Sunday that she will no longer be active.

Fans of Ashanti, 44, have expressed their disdain for Nelly since it was first announced she would be performing, and one fan account revealed on Sunday that she will no longer be active.

Nelly fueled the growing fury when she tried to explain her reasons for accepting the invitation on Sunday night.

“I don’t do this for money, I do it because it’s an honor,” he told right-wing journalist Lew in unknown. ‘I respect the position. It doesn’t matter who holds the position.

Nelly, who sold 50 percent of his catalog, including Dilemma, to investment firm HarbourView Equity Partners for a whopping $50 million in 2023, went on to compare himself to members of the military.

“In the same way, our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country have to go to war and risk their lives for whoever is in office,” he continued.

“So if they can risk their lives for whoever is in office, I can be sure that I can perform for whoever is in office.”

Lew then asked him what he would say to those who believe he is “proping up a white supremacist,” to which he responded, “I would ask them to show me where a white supremacist is.”

He acknowledged that Trump is problematic and denied that he was trying to tell people how to vote.

“I’m not saying I don’t have fucked up ways, that’s not what I’m saying at all, that’s why I’m not telling you who to vote for,” he said.

Nelly responded to the backlash she received and stated that she accepted the offer because

Nelly responded to the backlash she received and stated that she accepted the offer because “it’s an honor.” ‘I respect the position. “It doesn’t matter who’s in office,” he said.

When asked about the accusation, were you

When asked about the allegation, was he “supporting a white supremacist?” Nelly responded: ‘I would ask you to show me where a white supremacist is.’

‘But what I’m saying is that he is the president of the United States. He is not the candidate of the United States, he is the president. He won.’

His comments come eight years after he went public with his distaste for Trump as president during his first term in the White House back in 2017.

“The thing about Donald Trump is that I liked Donald Trump, I liked him, I just don’t like Donald Trump as my president,” he told PageSix at the time.

“It doesn’t surprise me as a person, it surprises me as a president because you don’t expect certain things, certain attitudes.”

He then added: ‘You know, I’m pretty much mad at him because I can’t stay in his hotels now… I’ve been there for 15 years, and now you do this?’ Get it, buddy!’

Time will tell if Nelly performs her 2000 hit, Country Grammar, in which she saluted Trump.

The song’s lyrics included: “Now I’m playing like Jehovah, let me in now, let me in now/Bill Gates, Donald Trump, let me in now.”

Nelly’s performance on Monday will follow Snoop Dogg’s headline set at the Crypto Ball event ahead of the pro-Trump inauguration in Washington on Friday.

Social media users accused the rapper of hypocrisy over his appearance, referencing his past opposition to Republican Trump.

Social media users accused the rapper of hypocrisy over his appearance, referencing his past opposition to Republican Trump.

Snoop's participation reflects a broader shift, as he joins a growing list of public figures who have seemingly softened their stance toward Trump, including Amber Rose (R).

Snoop’s participation reflects a broader shift, as he joins a growing list of public figures who have seemingly softened their stance toward Trump, including Amber Rose (R).

The rapper was accused of hypocrisy when fans referenced his past opposition to Republican Trump.

In 2017, Snoop made headlines for a controversial music video in which he took aim at a Trump-like clown character.

Seemingly unmoved by the criticism, Snoop Dogg, who targeted a Trump-like clown character in his 2017 music video, wasted no time in responding to fans.

Just hours after they aired their complaints, he reposted an Instagram Story from fellow artist Rick Ross.

“I got a real Crip in Crypto Ball, bang bang,” Snoop added in the video.

The event also featured a performance by Soulja Boy and Nelly, who joined Snoop and Rick Ross on the bill.

Despite the uproar, Snoop’s involvement reflects a broader shift, as he joins a growing list of public figures who have seemingly softened their stance toward the incoming president.

In July, Amber Rose, who said she would move to Canada if Trump were elected in 2016, faced backlash after deciding to endorse him when he gave a speech at the Republican National Convention.

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