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Hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg has responded to intense criticism following his performance at Donald Trump's Inauguration Crypto Ball, marking a significant shift in his previously outspoken stance against the former president. The 53-year-old rapper took to Instagram on Sunday to address his detractors with an unexpectedly measured response.
"For all the hate, I'm going to answer with love," Snoop declared in a candid video shot from his car, taking a characteristic pause to smoke. "Get your life right, stop worrying about mine. I'm cool. I'm together. Still a Black man. Still 100% Black. All out 'til you ball out or 'til you fall out."
The January 17 Crypto Ball featured an unexpected lineup of hip-hop artists, including Rick Ross and Soulja Boy, while Nelly performed separately at the Liberty Ball on January 20. The performances marked a stark contrast to the entertainment industry's generally cautious approach to Trump-affiliated events.
Snoop's journey from Trump critic to performer reflects a complex evolution. In a revealing 2018 appearance on DJ Suss One's SiriusXM show, he had harsh words for Trump supporters: "If you like that n—, you motherf— racist. F— you, and f— him." He particularly criticized the perceived division created during Trump's first term, stating, "Before him, there were no lines. Everybody was everybody, we respected everything."
The rapper's shifting perspective became apparent in a January 2024interview with The Sunday Times, where he offered unexpected praise: "Donald Trump? He ain't done nothing wrong to me. He has done only great things for me." This change notably followed Trump's pardon of Death Row Records co-founder Michael Harris, who had served 30 years on drug charges.
Speaking on the R&B Money Podcast the day before his Instagram response, Snoop reflected on handling criticism: "You 'gon deal with hate when you get to the top, no matter who you are... Me, personally, I answer it with success and love. That's my answer to any hate and negativity that
comes my way, 'cause it's the strongest force that can beat it."
