{"id":2537938,"date":"2026-01-15T13:49:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T18:49:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ludacris-and-nelly-join-lineup-for-rock-the-country-amid-backlash\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T13:51:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T18:51:14","slug":"ludacris-and-nelly-join-lineup-for-rock-the-country-amid-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ludacris-and-nelly-join-lineup-for-rock-the-country-amid-backlash\/","title":{"rendered":"Ludacris and Nelly join lineup for \u2018Rock the Country\u2019 amid backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fludacris-and-nelly-join-lineup-for-rock-the-country-amid-backlash%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2537938&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Ludacris and Nelly are set to headline the Rock the Country <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/james-bond-competition-show-greenlit-on-amazons-prime-video\/\" title=\"James Bond Competition Show Greenlit on Amazon\u2019s Prime Video\">festival series<\/a>, which spans eight shows in different small towns and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >features country acts<\/a> such as Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, and Miranda Lambert. Ludacris is scheduled to perform July 26 in Anderson, S.C., and Aug. 29 in Ocala,Fla.; Nelly is booked for Sept. 12 in Hamburg, N.Y. The festival&#8217;s perceived ties to Trump allies-Nelly performed at Trump&#8217;s inauguration ball and other repeat performers have appeared at inaugural events-have prompted criticism and calls for boycotts, while others have mocked or defended the artists. Organizers describe the events as a party of community and America&#8217;s 250th anniversary; presale tickets are being offered at $2.50. The Washington Examiner has contacted Rock the Country, Ludacris, and Nelly for comment.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Ludacris and Nelly join lineup for &lsquo;Rock the Country&rsquo; festival series despite backlash<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2470933\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Rappers <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/1227883\/ludacris-to-put-on-july-4-show-at-guantanamo-bay\/\">Ludacris<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3291921\/trump-inauguration-celebrity-appearances\/\">Nelly<\/a> will be among the headliners for this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrat-big-tech-and-media-actions-to-steal-the-election-heres-whats-going-on-in-pennsylvania-and-michigan\/\" title=\"Democrat, Big Tech and Media Actions to Steal the Election \u2013 Here\u2019s What\u2019s Going on in Pennsylvania and Michigan\">year&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s Rock the Country festival.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/musical-matilda-opens-london-film-festival\/\" title=\"Musical \u2018Matilda\u2019 opens London Film Festival\">festival includes<\/a> eight shows, with performances from Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, and Miranda Lambert, among others, also slated to headline. Each concert will happen in a different small town over the course of two days per town.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4419125\/newsnation-katie-pavlich-sole-conservative-woman-weekday-primetime\/\">NewsNation Katie Pavlich to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/katie-pavlich-to-anchor-primetime-on-newsnation\/\" title=\"Katie Pavlich to anchor primetime on NewsNation\">sole conservative woman<\/a> in weekday prime-time television<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4418136\/joe-concha-democratic-party-aint-your-daddys-donkeys-anymore\/\">Joe Concha says Democratic Party &lsquo;ain&rsquo;t your daddy&rsquo;s donkeys anymore&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4418027\/what-is-america-250\/\">What is America 250?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Nelly previously performed at <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3292055\/trump-supporters-revel-president-elect-dc-inauguration-eve-rally\/\">President Donald Trump&rsquo;s inauguration ball<\/a> during the week of celebrations. Kid Rock and Jason Aldean, repeat Rock the Country festival <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2455454\/jason-aldean-and-kid-rock-to-headline-rock-the-country-festival-series\/\">performers<\/a>, also appeared and performed at inaugural events.<\/p>\n<p>Because of the festival&rsquo;s association with Trump allies, the festival is perceived to be associated with MAGA fanatics, prompting criticism of Ludacris and Nelly for joining it.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Ludacris and Nelly playing this MAGA Nazi fest is hilarious,&rdquo; one <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WUTangKids\/status\/2010780338528886784?s=20\">user wrote on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m disgusted seeing Ludacris&rsquo; name on this list. No Black person should be on this list,&rdquo; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/sephius1999\/status\/2011079543399014575?s=20\">another user wrote on X<\/a>. &ldquo;At this point, anyone supporting Trump is telling us who they are. There&rsquo;s no middle ground.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Others mocked the outrage.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Some folks want to cancel Ludacris over this?&rdquo; one user <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Duke_Lucas_\/status\/2011780617453621562?s=20\">wrote with a laughing emoji<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Ludacris and Nelly are under fire by fans for joining the 2026 Rock The County music festival, which is a pro America, and has been dubbed as a pro Maga festival. Good on these two!&rdquo; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/OneBadDude_\/status\/2011783632701050950?s=20\">another user wrote on X<\/a> Thursday. &ldquo;Respect!&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Each show has a different lineup, as Ludacris is slated to perform July 26 in Anderson, South Carolina, and again on Aug. 29 in Ocala, Florida, and Nelly is scheduled to perform on Sept. 12 in Hamburg, New York.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Rock The Country is more than just a festival, it&rsquo;s a celebration of community, tradition, and the spirit that&rsquo;s carried America through 250 years,&rdquo; the Rock the Country website reads.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As we honor this milestone 250th year, every song, every laugh, and every toast feels a little bigger. It&rsquo;s a chance to look around and appreciate the strength of our towns, the stories that shaped us, and the moments we&rsquo;ll be talking about long after the lights go down.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3918618\/musicians-spoke-out-trump-administration-music-copyright-use\/\"><strong>MUSICIANS WHO SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR USING THEIR MUSIC<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tickets are currently on sale via a presale at the low cost of $2.50 per ticket to keep the festival accessible for attendees.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> has reached out to Rock the Country, Ludacris, and Nelly for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ludacris, Nelly join Rock the Country amid backlash<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2631,"featured_media":2537939,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ludacris-nelly-e1768500399189.jpg?1768482387&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[71032,71030,71031,44875],"class_list":["post-2537938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-lineup-controversy","tag-ludacris","tag-nelly","tag-rock-the-country"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ludacris-nelly-e1768500399189.jpg?1768482387&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2537938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2631"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2537938"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2537938\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2537942,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2537938\/revisions\/2537942"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2537939"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2537938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2537938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2537938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}