A string of musicians have found themselves at the center of backlash after agreeing to perform in New York. President-elect Trumpof the inauguration ceremony.

Rapper Nellie, who will perform at the Liberty Ball on Monday, has defended his decision to attend the festivities.

“I’m not doing this for the money. I’m doing it because it’s an honor. I respect this office,” the St. Louis native said at live conversation With rapper Willie D.

Trump inauguration performer Lee Greenwood defends Carrie Underwood against criticism

Rapper Nellie has defended her decision to perform at Donald Trump’s inaugural ball on Monday. (Erika Goldring/Getty Images/Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“It doesn’t matter who is in office. Just like our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country, have to go to war and have to risk their lives for whoever is in office,” the rapper, who was born on a military base, continued.

“So if they can risk their lives for anyone in office, I can absolutely perform for anyone in office.”

Nelly believes his decision to perform has nothing to do with politics. (Miikka Skaffari/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

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A source close to the artist told Fox News Digital that in addition to his father, Nelly’s aunts and uncles “all served in the military, fighting for our democracy and the right for all of us to vote. He’s personally distanced Politics and not campaigning for anyone, but this performance is for the highest office,” reiterating that the 50-year-old considers the performance “an honour”.

In conversation with Willie D., “HergéSinger also addressed his critics directly, balking at the suggestion that Trump is a white supremacist. “I’ll let them tell me where he is a white supremacist,” Nellie countered .

A source close to the rapper told Fox News Digital that he will perform at the Liberty Ball. (Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images)

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“To me, politics is over. He won! He’s the president,” the rapper said earlier in the conversation. “I would say he is the commander-in-chief of the best country in the world.”

“I would be honored to perform for the President of the United States, no matter who is in office. If President Biden asks me to perform, I will perform. If Vice President Kamala Harris wins and asks me to perform, I will perform,” he said .

Donald Trump invited several A-list musicians to perform at his inauguration. (Evan Vucci/AP)

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Nellie wasn’t the only musician to face backlash during her opening performance. country artist Carrie UnderwoodShe, who will perform “America the Beautiful” at the inauguration, issued a statement before speaking, saying she chose to perform out of love for her country.

“I love our country and was honored to be asked to sing at the inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said in a statement. “We must all act in solidarity as we spirit and looking forward to the future, I am honored to answer this call.”

Other artists are expected to Work for Trump Among them were Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus and Lee Greenwood, who defended Underwood against haters in interviews with Fox News Digital . “For those who have something negative to say, I suggest you don’t say it. Don’t attack a friend of mine who is here for the same reason I was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States,” he said.