By Trendsetter Tribune 
Rapper Ludacris is no longer part of Kid Rock’s MAGA-aligned “Rock the Country” tour after fans erupted over his inclusion, with his team calling the booking a “mix-up.”
Ludacris has quietly exited Kid Rock’s politically charged “Rock the Country” tour after intense backlash from fans who were stunned to see the rapper’s name attached to a MAGA-leaning music festival. The reversal underscores how deeply polarized the entertainment landscape has become, particularly when artists associated with hip-hop cross into politically coded spaces.
A sudden exit after a “mix-up”
The Grammy-winning rapper and Fast & Furious star was initially listed as a performer on the 2026 “Rock the Country” tour, headlined by outspoken MAGA supporter Kid Rock and featuring acts including Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, and Brantley Gilbert.
However, Rolling Stone reported that Ludacris’ manager said the announcement was the result of an internal error.
“Lines got crossed, and he wasn’t supposed to be on there,” the manager said, calling the situation a “mix-up.”
A representative for the tour later confirmed that Ludacris is no longer part of the lineup, while deferring any additional comment to the rapper’s team.
Dates removed amid online uproar
According to the Washington Examiner, Ludacris had been scheduled to perform on July 26 in Anderson, South Carolina, and August 29 in Ocala, Florida. Promotional materials naming him as a performer circulated online before being walked back.
Once fans noticed his inclusion, reaction was swift and fierce.
“You got 48 hours to let us know that you’re about to cancel this contract,” one fan said in an Instagram video that racked up more than 3,000 likes. “Luda, what are you doing? I’m so confused.”
Others were less charitable, branding the tour a “MAGA Nazi fest” and expressing disgust that Ludacris’ name appeared alongside artists closely associated with conservative and pro-Trump politics.
Applause from MAGA supporters
While much of the backlash came from Ludacris’ longtime fan base, some conservative supporters celebrated the initial announcement.
“Ludacris and Nelly are under fire by fans for joining the 2026 Rock The Country music festival,” one MAGA-aligned post read. “Good on these two! Respect!”
That praise, however, did not last long in Ludacris’ case. His team told AllHipHop bluntly: “We’re not on that show.”
A complicated political history
Ludacris has largely stayed out of partisan politics in recent years, but his past positions contrast sharply with the politics associated with the festival.
He publicly endorsed Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, and in 2020 criticized Donald Trump over race relations and voting rights. Those stances likely intensified fan confusion over his brief association with a tour widely viewed as MAGA-coded.
Nelly stays on — and doubles down
Fellow rapper Nelly, whose name also appeared on the lineup, is still scheduled to perform. He played the inaugural version of the festival in 2024 and is set to return for a September 12 show in Hamburg, New York.
Nelly previously faced backlash after performing at Trump’s inaugural ball last January, a decision he defended publicly.
“I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this because it’s an honor,” he said at the time, challenging critics to provide proof that Trump is a “white supremacist.”
Conclusion
Ludacris’ quiet removal from the “Rock the Country” tour highlights the risks artists face when politics and entertainment collide. Even an alleged booking error can spark major backlash in a polarized climate — and in this case, his team moved quickly to distance the rapper from an event that clashed with his public history and fan expectations.
As music festivals increasingly double as political signals, artists may find that where they appear matters just as much as what they perform.