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

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 his former collaborator – and it could even threaten to shake his marriage. 

The rapper, who along with Snoop Dogg agreed to take part in the celebrations, faced fierce criticism when he was unveiled as part of the line-up, and later revealed 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 grant him permission to perform their 2002 smash hit single Dilemma. 

‘Kelly has blocked Nelly from performing Dilemma at the inauguration to stand in solidarity with her Presidential choice Kamala Harris,’ an insider said.

The source noted that the Destiny’s Child star, 43, had no knowledge of Nelly’s decision to perform, and that her team will issue a ‘take down notice’ if he defies her.

‘She was stunned when she learned that Nelly was to perform and informed his camp that he does not have her consent to perform the song,’ the insider continued. ‘Her team is absolutely prepared to issue a takedown notice if he defies her order.’

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 song of hers to be performed at a Trump inauguration.’

Dilemma topped the charts for 10 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 who is infatuated with a woman in a relationship, replaced Nelly’s hit, Hot In Herre, at the top of the charts and went on to sell over 7 million copies worldwide.

In 2020, Dilemma became one of the first rap music videos ever to rack up a billion views on YouTube.

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

The couple, who first dated from 2003 until 2013, reconnected in 2023 and secretly wed in December that year.

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

Fans of his wife, 44, have been vocal about their disdain towards Nelly since he was first announced to perform.

‘Kelly has blocked Nelly from performing their hit single Dilemma to stand in solidarity with her Presidential choice Kamala Harris,’ the insider said (pictured in 2002)

There are fears that the controversy surrounding the Ride Wit Me rapper’s inauguration performance is also having a negative impact on his wife, Ashanti (pictured in June 2023) 

‘Nelly isn’t afraid of the criticism he is receiving,’ a second source noted. ‘He will earn more money off the back of the gig than he has from his record sales in recent years.

‘But those close to Ashanti are concerned about the repercussions for her. 

‘Her musical career is in a better place and she could alienate her core fan base.’

Indeed, the backlash is already impacting the Foolish singer, with the Ashanti News fan account on Instagram, revealing on Sunday that it will no longer be active.

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

‘For over 20 years it’s been amazing connecting Ashanti fans around the world and sharing news, videos and photos. I will miss a lot of you! Take care.’

Others shared similar reactions, with one fan writing on X: ‘Ashanti needs to sit her man down. He’s about to ruin her image/career alongside his own.’

Another wrote: ‘I was looking forwards to Nelly and Ashanti’s little reality show… now I have to cancel him and even her association. Sigh.’

The couple, who first dated from 2003 until 2013, reconnected in 2023 and secretly wed in December that year

Fans of Ashanti, 44, have been vocal about their disdain towards Nelly since he was first announced to perform with one fan account revealing on Sunday that it will no longer be active

Nelly fuelled the growing fury when he attempted to explained his reasons for accepting the invitation on Sunday night.  

‘I’m not doing this for money, I’m doing this ’cause it’s an honor,’ he told rapper Willie D.  ‘I respect the office. It don’t matter who in office.’

Nelly, who sold 50 percent of his catalogue, including Dilemma, to investment firm HarbourView Equity Partners for a cool $50 million in 2023, went on to compare 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 have to put their life on the line for whoever in the office,’ he continued. 

‘So, if they can put they life on the line for whoever in office, I can damn sure perform for whoever in office.’

Lew then asked him what he would say to those who believe he is ‘propping up a white supremacist,’ to which he replied: ‘I would ask them to show me where he’s a white supremacist.’

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

‘I’m not saying that he aint got some f**ked 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 has responded to the backlash he’s received, stating that he accepted the offer because ‘it’s an honor.’ ‘I respect the office. It don’t matter who in office,’ he said

When asked about the accusation he was ‘propping up a white supremacist?’ Nelly replied: ‘I would ask them to show me where he’s a white supremacist’

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

His comments come eight years after he made public his dislike for Trump as President during his first term in the White House back in 2017.

‘You know the thing about Donald Trump is that 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 more or less mad at him because I can’t stay at his hotels now … I’ve been staying there for 15 years, and now you pull this? Get it together, homie!’  

Time will tell if Nelly performs his 2000 hit, Country Grammar, in which he gave Trump a shout out.

The lyrics for the track included: ‘Now I’m knockin’ 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 pro-Trump, pre-inauguration Crypto Ball event in Washington on Friday. 

Social media users accused the rapper of hypocrisy for his appearance, referencing 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 toward Trump, including Amber Rose (right) 

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

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

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

Just hours after they aired their grievances, he re-posted an Instagram story from fellow performer Rick Ross.

‘Got a real Crip up in the 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 lineup. 

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 got elected in 2016, faced a backlash after choosing to endorse him when she made a speech at the Republican National Convention.