Nelly's controversial decision to perform for Donald Trump at his inauguration ball has not only landed him in hot water with fans, but also with his former collaborator — and it could even rock his marriage.
The rapper, who agreed to join the festivities alongside Snoop Dogg, faced fierce criticism when he was unveiled as part of the line-up, later revealing he had accepted the offer out of 'respect' for the office .
Now sources have told DailyMail.com that Nelly, 50, had an overnight 'drama' when Kelly Rowland refused to allow him to perform their 2002 hit Dilemma.
“Kelly stopped Nelly from performing Dilemma at the inauguration in solidarity with her presidential pick Kamala Harris,” the insider said.
The source noted that the 43-year-old Destiny's Child star had no knowledge of Nelly's decision to act, and that her team will issue a 'take down notice' if he challenges her.
“She was stunned when she heard Nelly would be performing and informed his camp that he did not have her permission to perform the song,” the insider continued. “Her team is absolutely prepared to issue a removal order if he defies her order.”
Nelly has been blocked from performing his smash single Dilemma by his collaborator Kelly Rowland, insiders have told DailyMail.com.
The news comes amid continued criticism of 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 ten non-consecutive weeks after its release in June 2002 and won 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 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 ever to reach one billion views on YouTube.
It is feared that the controversy surrounding the Ride Wit Me rapper's inauguration performance will also have a negative effect on his wife Ashanti.
The couple, who first dated from 2003 to 2013, reconnected in 2023 and secretly married in December that year.
They welcomed their first child, son Kareem Kenkaide Hayes, in July 2024.
Fans of his wife, 44, have expressed their disdain towards Nelly since he was set to make his first appearance.
“Kelly stopped Nelly from performing their hit single Dilemma to stand in solidarity with her presidential pick Kamala Harris,” the insider (pictured in 2002) said.
There are fears that the controversy surrounding the Ride Wit Me rapper's inauguration performance will also have a negative impact on his wife Ashanti (pictured June 2023)
“Nelly is not afraid of the criticism he receives,” said a second source. 'He will make more money from his performance than he has made from his record sales in recent years.
“But those close to Ashanti are concerned about the consequences for her.
“Her music career is in a better place and she could be alienating her core fan base.”
The backlash is already having an impact on the Foolish singer, with the Ashanti News fan account on Instagram revealing on Sunday that he will no longer be active.
“In light of recent news regarding Nelly and the decisions he has made… I can no longer run @AshantiNews or support The Haynes in the direction they are heading,” read a statement on the accounts of 110,000 followers. 'It's beyond disappointing.
'For over twenty years it has been a blast connecting Ashanti fans around the world and sharing news, videos and photos. I will miss you a lot! Greetings.'
Others shared similar responses, with one fan writing on X: “Ashanti needs to ditch her husband. He's about to ruin her image/career alongside his own.”
Another wrote: 'I was looking forward to Nelly and Ashanti's little reality show… now I have to cancel it and even her association. Sigh.'
The couple, who first dated from 2003 to 2013, reconnected in 2023 and secretly married in December that year
Fans of Ashanti, 44, have expressed their disdain towards Nelly since he reportedly made his first appearance with one fan account, which was revealed on Sunday that it will no longer be active
Nelly fueled the growing anger when he tried to explain on Sunday evening why he had accepted the invitation.
“I don't do this for money, I do this because it's an honor,” he told rapper Willie D. “I respect the office. It doesn't matter who's in office.'
Nelly, who sold 50 percent of his catalog, including Dilemma, to investment firm HarbourView Equity Partners for as much as $50 million in 2023, then compared himself to members of the military.
“The same way our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country, have to go to war and put their lives on the line for everyone in the office,” he continued.
“So if they can put their lives on the line for whoever is in office, I damn sure can act for whoever is in office.”
Lew then asked him what he would say to those who believe he is “supporting a white supremacist,” to which he responded, “I would ask them to show me where he is a white supremacist.”
He acknowledged that Trump is problematic and denied that he was trying to tell people how to vote.
“I'm not saying he doesn't have messed 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 comments and stated that he accepted the offer because 'it is an honor'. “I respect the office. It doesn't matter who's in office,” he said
When asked about the accusation that he was “supporting a white supremacist?” Nelly replied: 'I would ask them to show me where he is a white supremacist'
“But what I mean is, he's the president of the United States. He is not the candidate for the United States, he is the president. He won.'
His comments come eight years after he made public his distaste for Trump as president during his first term in the White House in 2017.
“You know, the thing about Donald Trump is I liked Donald Trump, I did, I just don't like Donald Trump as my president,” he told PageSix at the time.
“He doesn't surprise me as a person, he surprises me as a president because you don't expect certain things, certain attitudes.”
He then added, “You know, I'm kind of mad at him because I can't stay at his hotels now… I've been staying there for fifteen years, and now you're pulling this?” Get it together, buddy!'
Only time will tell if Nelly performs his 2000 hit, Country Grammar, in which he gave Trump a shout-out.
The song's lyrics included, “Now I'm knocking like Jehovah, let me in now, let me in now / Bill Gates, Donald Trump, let me in now.”
Nelly's performance on Monday follows Snoop Dogg's headline performance at the pro-Trump, pre-inauguration Crypto Ball event in Washington on Friday.
Social media users accused the rapper of hypocrisy over his appearance, citing his past opposition to Republican Trump
Snoop's involvement reflects a broader shift as he joins a growing list of public figures who have seemingly softened their stance on Trump, including Amber Rose (right)
The rapper was accused of hypocrisy when fans referenced his past opposition to Republican Trump.
In 2017, Snoop made headlines with a controversial music video targeting a Trump-like clown character.
Seemingly unfazed by the criticism, Snoop Dogg — who took aim at a Trump-like clown character in his 2017 music video — wasted no time in responding to fans.
Just hours after they aired their grievances, he reposted an Instagram story of fellow artist Rick Ross.
“I got a real Crip in the Crypto Ball, bang bang,” Snoop added in the video.
The event also included a performance by Soulja Boy and Nelly, who were on the lineup alongside Snoop and Rick Ross.
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 new president.
In July, Amber Rose, who said she would move to Canada if Trump were elected in 2016, faced a backlash after choosing to support him while giving a speech at the Republican National Convention.
