Nelly has defended his decision to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration, calling it’s “an honor”.

Nelly also spoke about his experience as a child on a military base in Texas, praising his family members who have served in the U.S. armed forces. “If these people can give [their] life for the office, Nelly can perform,” he said. “It is an honor for me to perform for the president of the United States, regardless of who is in office.”

Grammy Award-winning hip-hop and country artist Nelly will be performing at one of the three official Inaugural Balls Monday night, the Trump/Vance Inaugural Committee announced Saturday. Nelly will join Jason Aldean and The Village People on the list of performers at the Liberty Ball,