Five artists set for Kid Rock music festival as they face backlash – Music | Music News

Kid Rock’s music festival has a few stunning artists connected to its lineup.

In mid-January, the 55-yr-outdated Donald Trump supporter’s music festival, Rock the Country, dubbed the “MAGA Music Fest,” announced its lineup for the eight-city event. It kicks off on May 1 and runs by way of September 2026.

Alongside Rock, nation singers Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, and Miranda Lambert, among many others, will take the stage to carry out for crowds across Bellville, Texas, and Ocala, Florida. However, together with Ludacris, who has since stepped out of the lineup, the 4 most stunning artists on the lineup embody Jelly Roll, Shinedown, Ella Langley, and rapper Nelly, all of whom have been hit with a wave of backlash.

Ludacris was set to look on stage in Anderson, South Carolina, alongside Creed and Shinedown, as nicely as Ocala, Florida, with Blake Shelton and Brooks & Dunn. Meanwhile, Nelly shall be on the line-up in Hamburg, New York, alongside Kid Rock and Hank Williams Jr.

Many followers had been initially baffled by Ludacris, specifically, having signed on to look. He and Nelly had been slammed as “sellouts” and “cash chasers” by those who usually are not pleased that they would be part of the line-up of such a MAGA-targeted event.

Taking to social media, one fan wrote, “Can’t believe they got Ludacris and Nelly to play the most racist coded festival line-up of all time… also didn’t Lynyrd Skynrd all die in a plane crash?”

A second poster, “This looks like a country concert for the 250 years of America, but with the way things are, this is a bad look for Luda, as there are people on this list who have attacked black artists. Luda is now on my deleted list along with snoop and nelly.”

A 3rd social media consumer shared, “If Luda is up there Cooning, buy bye. No longer supporting. You make your money off the black community, but want to then be an alt-right MAGA guy.”

Another then added, “I’m not mad at Black people making an honest check… but support for this dictatorship will get your music deleted forever.” Nelly has not yet commented following the lineup’s release.

Ludacris has been aligned with Democrats. He threw his assist behind Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 and not too long ago endorsed Hill Harper for U.S. Senate in 2024.

However, it was reported last week that Ludacris will not seem at the music festival. His title now not seems on the festival’s web site. Though no public clarification has been made, the festival confirmed the change, and Ludacris’ rep claimed it was “a mix-up” that he was ever a part of the lineup in the first place.

“Lines got crossed and he wasn’t supposed to be on there,” his rep said (Entertainment Weekly).

Meanwhile, Jelly Roll’s followers have voiced their disgust at his signing on to the event. After the release of the roster, his followers took to social media to share their disappointment along with his inclusion, as one individual wrote on Threads, “Oh man. Jelly Roll? I’m heartbroken.”

Another individual then added, “Why are people even acting surprised that Jelly Roll is MAGA? His music is buns anyways who cares?” with a laughing face emoji.

“I can’t believe I defended @jellyroll615 and then this BS…. apparently Ludacris dropped out when he saw the WAVE of comments. This is a full-on MAGA train, and I’m so saddened by a lot of these names, but not surprised,” penned a 3rd. A fourth commented, “I’m shocked people are surprised by this. He has MAGA vibes.”

According to its web site, the Rock the Country fest is “more than just a festival, it’s a celebration of community, tradition, and the spirit that’s carried America through 250 years. It’s where neighbors become friends, families come together under the wide-open sky, and folks from every walk of life share the simple joy of great music and good company.”

On a Reddit board, social media customers additional slammed the event, with one individual writing, “the warped tour for the wrangler crowd,” as another said, “What a all around 100% bad line up lol.”

A 3rd bashed, “Its all just washed up maga trash. Is this supposed to be their alternative superbowl halftime show so both of their snowflake brain cells dont get blown up by Bad Bunny?”