Kevin Powell Slams Snoop Dogg’s Trump Inaugural Performance
Written by djfrosty on January 22, 2025
Source: Bennett Raglin/BET / Getty
Activist Kevin Powell slammed Snoop Dogg for his appearance at an inauguration concert for President Donald Trump, citing his “lack of values.”
The presence of Snoop Dogg at a concert during President Donald Trump’s inauguration weekend infuriated many, including activist and journalist Kevin Powell. Powell expressed his disappointment in a recent interview, citing Snoop Dogg’s lengthy career. The “Drop It Like Its Hot” rapper performed at the Crypto Ball in Washington, D.C., last Friday (Jan. 17) along with Rick Ross,and Soulja Boy. “I interviewed Snoop for Quincy Jones’ [VIBE] magazine, and he has a long history in relationship to community,” Powell began before noting that his performance meant he would abandon that relationship “for a bag of money.”
“I never thought I would see Snoop Dogg, forget the other rappers because others have talked about them, but Snoop Dogg in particular,” Powell added. “This is someone who is an iconic figure just like Carrie Underwood is, and when folks like that are siding with someone who’s spreading those kinds of messages, it’s a stab in the back to all of us who have bought their music and supported them through their careers.” Snoop Dogg famously criticized Trump heavily as he began his first presidential term in 2017.
“I’m waiting. I’m gonna roast the f— outta you,” he said in a video post at the time, calling anyone looking to perform during that inauguration weekend “Uncle Toms.” The video has gone viral again, as Snoop Dogg hasn’t responded to any requests for comment about his performance. When asked by TMZ’s Harvey Levin if it was a reflection of a growing trend in the Hip-Hop community, Powell replied, “I think there’s a sea change of a lack of values across America, period.”
Nelly, who performed at the Liberty Ball Monday (Jan. 20), defended his appearance in an interview with podcast host and Hip-Hop veteran Willie D. “I’m here to perform for the office,” he said, before remarking that he hadn’t seen anything suggesting that Trump was a white supremacist. Soulja Boy, best known for his 2007 hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” released a video response to those critical of his presence. “They paid me a bag,” he said before adding, “Obama ain’t never put no money in my f—g pockets, n—a. Kamala ain’t never put no money in my f—g pockets, n—a. Trump put money in my pockets, n—a.”