Kanye West not ‘traditionally American’ enough to perform at Trump’s inaugural ball
Today, January 19, finally marks the arrival most hotly-discussed musical event of the year. Perhaps more fervently covered than even Coachella, the “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration” will raise the roof from the steps of the Lincoln memorial (Note: Dancing Astronaut did not add the mid-title exclamation mark to the event name for emphasis. That is actually what this event is being called.).
As has been largely covered, Trump’s team allegedly faced major difficulties in compiling the coveted lineup for the “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration.” Trump’s challenges in compiling the event’s talent begged the a legitimate question:
Why is Kanye not on the lineup?
Kanye West, a newfound friend and idolator of Donald Trump, was courteous enough to push his projected 2020 presidential run back to 2024 out of respect for the President-elect. Why would the A-list rapper show such flexibility in his four-year plan out of respect for Trump, then not lend his talents to the inaugural ball?
According to Presidential Inauguration Committee chairman Mark Barrack, Kanye wasn’t asked to perform at the event. In an interview with CNN, Barrack remarked that the rapper and self-proclaimed demigod didn’t fit in with the “traditionally American” spirit of the event:
“[Kanye] considers himself a friend of the President-elect, but it’s not the venue. The venue we have for the entertainment is filled-out, it’s perfect. It’s gonna be typically and traditionally American. Kanye is a great guy but we haven’t asked him to perform.”
— Today’sLoop (@TodaysLoop) January 19, 2017
Granted, Kanye West has a checkered history of appearing on live television, and one that is reasonably nerve-wracking for a soon-to-be President. However, regardless of one’s political leanings, Trump is decidedly not a “traditionally American” President-elect. One would think the Inauguration Committee would recognize this fact and invite the most popular musician who has actually voiced support for Trump’s impending presidency.
Nevertheless, the “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration” will kick off at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Though Kanye will not be in attendance, the traditionally American event will feature scintillating performances from presumably-once-relevant department store band 3 Doors Down and country music star/noted horse drinking buddy Toby Keith. Notably absent from the lineup is the Bruce Springsteen cover band which backed out of the event at the last minute, because society has apparently reached a point where playing at the US President-elect’s inaugural ball is more of a black spot on a musician’s résumé than being in a cover band.
We’re pretty excited to watch this one.
H/T: The Fader
Categories: News