Ludacris and Nelly are catching heat on social over their inclusion in the lineup for the “Rock the Country” music festival — an event critics describe as MAGA-coded due to its lineup and association with conservative-leaning performers. “Rock The Country” bills itself as a celebration of “patriotic” Americana music, featuring a roster that leans heavily into country and rock acts often embraced by right-wing audiences. The inclusion of Ludacris and Nelly surprised many fans online. Some made fun at the contrast between the rappers’ careers and the lineup’s overall tone. Others expressed disappointment, saying the gig couldn’t outweigh the political optics of sharing a stage with performers tied to MAGA-friendly spaces. Critics on social described the situation as “strange” or “tone-deaf,”. So far, neither Ludacris nor Nelly has publicly commented on the backlash or clarified whether their participation should be read as a political statement rather than a paid performance opportunity.
Ludacris and Nelly draw backlash
