The 2025 Grammys after-party was going just fine—music, vibes, probably a questionable amount of free champagne—until Janelle Monáe decided she had something to get off her chest. And that something? Nelly.
Yes, that Nelly. The “Hot in Herre” legend, the band-aid-wearing icon, the man who made us all sing “must be the money” like we had direct deposits we actually enjoyed.
But, apparently, Nelly went and performed at one of Donald Trump’s inauguration events, and Janelle was NOT about to let that slide.
While mid-medley with Anderson .Paak, fate intervened in the form of Nelly’s Hot in Herre blasting through the speakers. And Janelle? She took that as her cue to unleash some Grammy-worthy bars of her own.
Janelle, the Unofficial Roast Queen
“F**k you, Nelly!” she declared, microphone in hand, energy on 10, and probably with a little bit of champagne courage. TMZ caught the whole thing on video, and let’s just say, subtlety was not on the menu.
“I used to like Nelly… but then he went to perform for Donald Trump. F**k that n***a. I don’t give a f**k.”
And before anyone could even process that verbal haymaker, she kept going:
“Nelly, you sold out. I used to think you was cool. Now you look like a motherf**king fool!”
The crowd? Erupting. People? Losing it. Anderson .Paak? Probably wondering how he ended up in the middle of a live diss track.
Nelly, Get a New Attitude (According to Janelle)
Janelle, still in full mic-drop mode, made it clear that she was speaking from the heart (and the champagne bottle).
“I might be a little tipsy, but I know everything I’m saying. F**k you n***a. Get a new attitude.”
And honestly? The audience was eating it up.
Moral of the story? If you’re planning to hit the stage for Trump, just know that Janelle Monáe might be waiting right there with a freestyle and zero chill.
Nelly, my guy… it’s time to put the band-aid back on, because that burn was serious. 🔥
