aka, ‘Coonery & The Current Contagious Cacophany of Hip Hop’
by Triston Brewer
The announcement that Snoop Dogg and Nelly, two legends of hip-hop, have agreed to perform for Donald Trump at his inauguration is sending shockwaves throughout the Black community. This decision represents not just an individual choice but a larger pattern of disregard for the hard-won legacy and global standing of Black people. It’s the latest in a series of betrayals, particularly by influential Black male rappers, who have used their platforms in ways that undermine decades of progress spearheaded by Black leaders and visionaries.
And for those counting?
It has been 121 days since Janet Jackson questioned Kamala Harris’ race and we are still waiting for that apology. But before we get that (if ever) we have to contend with more ignorant Black celebrities collectively throwing the diaspora under the bus. Up next in the clown car of coonery (after Kanye, of course)?
Snoop Dogg and Nelly!
The Erosion of Black Legacy Through Hip-Hop
Black leaders and entertainers of previous generations were acutely aware of their roles as cultural ambassadors and took immense pride in being educated and up-to-date on the latest issues affecting Black people because they understood how high the stakes were. Figures like Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone, and Sidney Poitier deliberately shaped narratives that empowered Black people and challenged systemic racism on a global scale. Their artistry and activism inspired change and elevated the collective perception of Black identity.
But over the last 30 years, much of this progress has been eroded, particularly by the normalization of derogatory language in hip-hop. Once banished from mainstream media, the n-word became a fixture in rap music, thanks to the global success of Black male hip-hop artists in the 80s and 90s. Proponents of its use at the time argued that it was being “reclaimed”, but the reality is that its widespread acceptance has done little to improve the social, economic, or political conditions of Black people worldwide. Instead, it has perpetuated stereotypes and contributed to a culture that trivializes the weight of Black oppression.
A History of Selling Out for Personal Gain
The decision by Nelly and Snoop Dogg to perform for Donald Trump is a continuation of this troubling pattern. These Black men think they can operate and move like privileged white men and overlook the glaring differences and ramifications of their actions. It echoes the actions of Chrisette Michele, who faced backlash and career repercussions after singing at Trump’s first inauguration. Her willingness to align with a figure openly hostile to Black and marginalized communities was met with near-universal condemnation. And yet, here we are again, watching history repeat itself.
It has been 30-plus years since hip hop took collectively took the check from white record label owners and glorified and released the word N*GGER out of the proverbial genie bottle and into the zeitgeist. Two generations later, the question must be asked: how has the word uplifted and brought respect to Black people worldwide?
Go ahead.
Take your time.
We’ll wait.
But while we wait on the answer (because none of these uneducated rappers that supported it – including Jay-Z we might add), we have to drag the current coonery on the chopping block – Nelly and Snoop Dogg. Perhaps Snoop Dogg has been spending too much time in The Hamptons plucking daffodils and eating crème brulée with Martha Stewart that he’s forgotten yet again that he’s melanated and his actions and words carry weight. That he is seen as a role model by Black people whether he likes it or not. And Ashanti? Please check your man, because he is out of pocket!
The truth is white kids and a now grown generation of white people that grew up with him love Snoop. They love to recite his lyrics, they love everything about him, and consider themselves woke just because they can chant all the words to his opus Doggystyle. But, newsflash?
They are not.
They are just as ignorant as previous generations of white people and possibly more so. Because they don’t have to risk going into Black neighborhoods or Black spaces to soak up ‘the culture’. They can do it all from the comforts of their homes via Tik Tok, YouTube, and other social media platforms. And while some of these white people may have actually listened to the lyrics and may have evolved and have enough sense to know better, the larger collective – especially ones outside the United States that know little to NOTHING about Black history and culture aside from its music – now use the n-word when no one Black is within earshot proudly And sometimes within earshot, then cite *insert Black American rapper here* for granting them permission to do so. And for the Black people that opine white people worldwide understand the nuances between n*gger and n*gga?
You obviously have never traveled or lived outside of the fifty American states and its territories.
They do not.
And this time, the stakes are even higher as American veers further and further away from its promise. Trump’s presidency is synonymous with policies and rhetoric that actively harm Black communities, from his defense of white supremacists to his attacks on voting rights and social programs. These very same white people – who are now the largest bloc of purchasers of the genre by the way – are the same ones holding neo-Nazi flags while simultaneously downloading hip hop music from Black artists at the same time. For Snoop Dogg and Nelly to lend their voices and presence to such a figure amidst his legion of radicalized supporters is more than a poor decision—it is an unforgivable betrayal of the Black collective.
Black Men and the Allure of the GOP
The troubling trend of increased support for Trump among Black men cannot be ignored. In 2020 and in 2024, more Black men voted for Trump than in 2016, signaling a shift that has been fueled in part by the GOP’s strategic courting of influential figures. Flashing money and promises of influence, the GOP has successfully baited some hip-hop stars into abandoning their responsibility as cultural leaders for personal gain. This plays into an age-old adage that remains painfully relevant: “All money ain’t good money.” Make no mistake, the current situation is a chess match and Elon Musk has the biggest purse springs on earth. It’s only a matter of time before other beloved hip hop stars turn to the dark side and tarnish the reputation of a proud people.
Accountability Must Be Collective
If Nelly and Snoop Dogg choose to align themselves with Trump, their careers should face the same reckoning that befell Chrisette Michele. It will be interesting to see how the general public reacts to their performances for Trump when Michele’s career was canceled almost immediately and she has barely been heard from since 2017.
This isn’t merely about their individual choices—it’s about the message their actions send. By performing for Trump, they signal complicity with his racist, misogynistic, and anti-democratic agenda. Their decision reflects a troubling prioritization of profit over principle, leaving the broader Black community to contend with the consequences. Is this the message Black people want to send to the next generation? That it’s perfectly acceptable to take a check, no matter who wrote it?
As a collective, we must hold our cultural leaders accountable. No matter how many commas the check may encompass, we cannot afford to allow the actions of hip hop artists or anyone else’s actions to tarnish the legacy that Black visionaries fought so hard to build across centuries. If they refuse to heed the lessons of history, then it is our responsibility to leave them behind. #BlackExcellence demands more, and our future depends on it.