St. Louis hip-hop legend Nelly is making waves far beyond the mic, bringing his signature swagger to the world of horse racing while simultaneously shutting down critics who’ve been vocal about his performance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration. In true Nelly fashion, he’s not just addressing the backlash—he’s flipping the script, exposing what he sees as hypocrisy among his detractors, particularly when it comes to former Vice President Kamala Harris. Here’s the breakdown of how Nelly’s blending culture, defending his choices, and sparking conversation across St. Louis and beyond.
### Nelly’s National Thoroughbred League: Hip-Hop Meets Horse Racing
Nelly’s latest venture isn’t just another business move—it’s a bold fusion of hip-hop and high-stakes horse racing. The “Country Grammar” star has taken significant ownership in a National Thoroughbred League (NTL) team, bringing the sport to St. Louis’ Fairmount Park. He’s not alone in this game-changing endeavor; heavyweights like Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, basketball player Julius Ewing, and rapper Rick Ross are also backing NTL teams. Nelly’s involvement promises to infuse horse racing with the energy of hip-hop culture, complete with concerts and events that merge the two worlds. Picture it: St. Louis fans vibing to Nelly’s hits while cheering on their thoroughbreds—a cultural crossover that only someone with Nelly’s vision could pull off.
This move isn’t just about diversifying his portfolio; it’s about bringing new eyes to a sport often seen as exclusive. By planting roots in St. Louis, Nelly’s showing love to his hometown while elevating its profile on a national stage. The NTL event at Fairmount Park is set to be a spectacle, blending the thrill of the racetrack with the pulse of hip-hop—a true testament to Nelly’s ability to innovate and bridge worlds.[](https://stltoday.com/life-entertainment/local/music/article_f3158627-6e63-4c4c-964c-e4d485d29864.html)
### Defending the Inauguration Performance: It’s About the Office, Not the Man
Nelly’s decision to perform at President Donald Trump’s Inaugural Liberty Ball in January 2025 sparked a firestorm of criticism, particularly from fans who felt it clashed with his identity as a Black artist. But Nelly’s not backing down. In a fiery interview on Hot 97’s *Ebro in the Morning*, he clarified that his performance was about respecting the office of the presidency, not endorsing Trump’s politics. “It’s my respect for the office meaning any president that calls upon Nelly it would be a honor… nothing to do with money,” he stated. “Nothing to do with race but if you wanna make it about race, then let’s goooooooooooooo I find it very interesting.”[](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/nelly-takes-dig-kamala-harris-195221154.html)
Nelly doubled down in the comments section of an Instagram post by The Shade Room, defending not only himself but also Snoop Dogg, who faced similar backlash for performing at Trump’s Crypto Ball. He emphasized their decades-long commitment to their communities, saying, “Me and Snoop do more in the community and have been doing for over 20+ years against any of you that are just on here talking trash.” He also pointed out that he performed at a Kamala Harris event in 2024—likely a Juneteenth celebration in 2023—without receiving the same scrutiny, highlighting what he sees as selective outrage.[](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/nelly-takes-dig-kamala-harris-195221154.html)[](https://theshaderoom.com/nelly-addresses-peformance-criticism-kamala-harris-videos-shade-room/)
### Calling Out Hypocrisy: The Kamala Harris Critique
Nelly didn’t stop at defending his actions—he went on the offensive, targeting supporters of Kamala Harris and exposing what he perceives as a double standard. In his Shade Room comments, he took aim at Harris’ past as a California prosecutor, accusing her of “locking up more Black men that we’ve helped.” He also made a pointed jab at her interracial marriage to Doug Emhoff, noting that he and Snoop, both married to Black women with Black children, are being criticized while Harris, a “woman of color with the white husband and white kids,” escapes similar scrutiny.[](https://rollingout.com/2025/07/01/nelly-blasts-kamala-defends-inauguration/)
This critique has ignited a firestorm of its own. Some fans have slammed Nelly for what they see as a low blow, arguing that Harris’ personal life shouldn’t be weaponized. Others, however, have rallied behind him, pointing to Harris’ prosecutorial record—particularly her role in California’s tough-on-crime policies—as a valid point of contention. Nelly’s comments tap into a broader conversation about authenticity, race, and the expectations placed on Black public figures. By framing himself as “more pro-Black” than Harris, Nelly’s challenging the so-called “Black code” that critics claim he violated by performing for Trump.[](https://www.tmz.com/2025/06/30/nelly-takes-shot-at-kamala-harris-doug-emoff-ashanti-liberty-ball/)[](https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/924731-nelly-kamala-harris-donald-trump-backlash-political-news)
### St. Louis Stands Up: Nelly’s Hometown Legacy
For St. Louisans, Nelly’s moves are a source of pride, even amid the controversy. His horse racing venture is a homecoming of sorts, reinforcing his commitment to putting the city on the map. From his annual Black and White Ball to his community work, Nelly’s roots in St. Louis run deep, and his NTL involvement is another way to give back. Fans here see him not just as a global star but as a local hero who’s never forgotten where he came from.
The inauguration backlash, while heated, hasn’t dimmed Nelly’s shine in the 314. Supporters argue that his willingness to call out perceived hypocrisy—whether it’s Harris’ record or the selective outrage of his critics—shows his authenticity. As one fan put it on social media, “Nelly’s keeping it real. He’s not picking sides; he’s calling out the game for what it is.” Meanwhile, detractors feel his comments about Harris crossed a line, particularly the focus on her marriage, which some see as irrelevant to the political debate.
### The Bigger Picture: Hip-Hop, Politics, and Cultural Expectations
Nelly’s saga is more than just a headline—it’s a microcosm of the complex relationship between hip-hop, politics, and identity. His horse racing venture represents the genre’s ability to transcend boundaries, bringing its energy to unexpected spaces. His response to the inauguration backlash and his critique of Harris highlight the tightrope Black artists walk in navigating public expectations. By refusing to be boxed in, Nelly’s forcing a conversation about who gets to define “Blackness” and what it means to stay true to one’s principles.
As St. Louis gears up for the NTL event, all eyes are on Nelly to see how he’ll continue to blend hip-hop’s grit with horse racing’s grandeur. One thing’s for sure: whether he’s on the racetrack or in the studio, Nelly’s not afraid to take risks, speak his mind, or challenge the status quo. And in a world quick to judge, that’s a legacy worth betting on.
*Stay tuned to stlhiphop.com for updates on Nelly’s NTL events and more from the St. Louis hip-hop scene.*
**Sources**:
– St. Louis Post-Dispatch [](https://stltoday.com/life-entertainment/local/music/article_f3158627-6e63-4c4c-964c-e4d485d29864.html)
– Yahoo News [](https://yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/nelly-responds-backlash-over-trump-183920432.html)[](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/nelly-takes-dig-kamala-harris-195221154.html)
– TMZ [](https://www.tmz.com/2025/06/30/nelly-takes-shot-at-kamala-harris-doug-emoff-ashanti-liberty-ball/)
– HotNewHipHop [](https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/924731-nelly-kamala-harris-donald-trump-backlash-political-news)
– BlackNews.com [](https://blacknews.com/news/nelly-criticizes-kamala-harris-white-husband-sending-black-men-prison/)
– The Shade Room[](https://theshaderoom.com/nelly-addresses-peformance-criticism-kamala-harris-videos-shade-room/)
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