Rappers Nelly and Ludacris are facing a wave of online criticism after being announced as performers for a conservative-leaning music festival closely associated with MAGA culture.
The two artists were listed on the newly released 2026 lineup for Rock the Country, a touring concert series that brands itself as “a festival for the people.”
The event is set to stop in eight cities, including Anderson, South Carolina, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Longtime Donald Trump supporter Kid Rock will once again headline the festival, joined primarily by country and rock acts.
Rock The Country 2026
Sign 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
Fans quickly took to social media to question Nelly and Ludacris’ involvement, with some expressing disappointment and others accusing the rappers of lending credibility to a political movement many in the music industry have openly opposed.
The festival has drawn scrutiny before. The New York Times described the 2024 edition as “a vision of the MAGA movement in pure party mode,” noting that the concerts “felt like Trump rallies” even without Trump present.
Neither Nelly nor Ludacris has publicly commented on the backlash.
Nelly playing the MAGA rock fest makes sense he loves that shit… but Ludacris.. come on man.. have some fucking shame. All checks ain’t good
— MJA (@MJA773) January 13, 2026
Ludacris, Nelly, Snoop Dogg. All MAGA clowns and the if the Black community was serious, they would boycott & hit their pockets. But they’re black men so it’ll fly under the radar. https://t.co/iEZoQHnQBN
— Jordan Sumbu (@JordanSumbu) January 14, 2026
lmao this lineup is so bad. And wtf are you doing @Ludacris? We already knew Nelly was a sellout for MAGA but c’mon man. https://t.co/m4xQkl50ul
— Mike Toilét (pronounced Toilet) (@MikeWasBad) January 13, 2026
Ludacris out here performing for MAGA with Nelly? pic.twitter.com/VkHf7JNzVw
— Bronx Nga (@mellymelbx_) January 15, 2026