While many hip-hop artists face backlash for performing at the 2025 Inauguration Ball, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is stepping up to defend them.
Artists like Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Soulja Boy, and even Rick Ross have been criticized by fans and peers alike for their involvement. But Smith isn’t here for the judgment.
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On his podcast, Smith fired back at critics who are quick to condemn artists without understanding the bigger picture.
He started out by explaining why some would vote and support certain political parties during the inauguration.
“Soulja Boy ain’t got no right to make some money?” Smith said. “I saw Soulja Boy pull out some cash. It looked like at least six figures. What it takes most people to make in a year, the brother made in one night.”
He then pointed out Snoop Dogg’s extensive contributions to the community. “Snoop Dogg’s worth over $100 million. He’s got a youth football league—this brother’s sending cats to college, this brother’s sending cats to the NFL. We just gonna ignore that ’cause he performed at the inauguration?”
When it comes to Nelly, Smith emphasized that the rapper isn’t a political figure. “Nelly is not a political person, he doesn’t get involved in the campaigns,” Smith explained. “He performs for people who will pay the right fee and respects the office because of the power that comes with it. That’s his position.”
The ESPN analyst also took shots at critics who went against Ice Cube, who’s been accused of controversial political affiliations.
“Some of y’all, when you turned against Ice Cube, it’s unforgivable,” Smith said. “Ice Cube… N.W.A.! They took the rap game to another level. Do you know how many Black people made money off of Hip Hop? How many Black people have been employed because of Hip Hop? It transformed this world!”
“Is everything perfect about them? Hell no,” he said. “But let’s not forget the bigger picture.”
Smith ended his comments by saying, “Now that the brothers come along and make something of themselves, and they got opportunities that they’re willing to exploit, and they choose to be political, you wanna get in their ass?”
It’s clear that Smith is not here for the hypocrites in the industry.
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