Snoop Dogg has been reflecting on the criticism he received for his recent performance during the inauguration festivities.

In an Instagram video shared on Sunday, the 53-year-old “Drop It Like It’s Hot” rapper addressed the backlash he faced after performing at the Inaugural Crypto Ball, an event that celebrated the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

In the video, while listening to “Ain’t No Need to Worry” in his car, Snoop Dogg stated, “For all the hate I’m receiving, I will respond with love. Your hate can’t bring me down. I have too much love in my heart.”

He went on to say, “Focus on your own life. Don’t worry about mine. I’m good. I’m still a Black man, still proud to be 100% Black.”

He also added, “You can be riding high one moment and then people try to pull you down the next. But I’m a resilient Black man. I’m made from strong stuff. You can’t break me.”

While Snoop Dogg didn’t explicitly mention the inauguration backlash, many fans interpreted his words as a response to it. His post attracted a wave of negative comments, as some followers expressed their disappointment regarding his performance at the event.

Comments included, “You’ve lost all your respect,” and “Snoop, you let us down. We’ve supported you since childhood, and this really hurts.” Others defended his choice, saying, “He can perform for whoever he wants, leave him be.”

Snoop Dogg took the stage at the Inaugural Crypto Ball in Washington, D.C., just three days prior to Trump’s swearing-in. The event aimed to “celebrate the 60th Presidential Inauguration of America’s first ‘crypto president,’ Donald J. Trump, along with his administration and cabinet,” according to its official website. Although Trump did not attend, David Sacks, the president’s crypto czar, acted as the emcee for the event.

Many were taken aback by Snoop Dogg’s decision to participate in this event, considering that in 2017, he declared he would “roast” any artist affiliated with Trump’s first inauguration. He had previously criticized the president and even featured a scene in a 2017 music video where he shot a clown resembling Trump.

Additionally, in a 2020 interview with Real 92.3, Snoop Dogg expressed his determination to vote in that year’s election, stating, “I can’t bear to see this punk in office any longer.”

However, his perspective seems to have shifted. In a 2024 interview with The Sunday Times, he remarked, “I have nothing but love and respect for Donald Trump.”

Snoop Dogg wasn’t the only artist to face backlash for inauguration performances; Carrie Underwood also encountered criticism for her appearance at Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. She has not publicly addressed this backlash, but previously said, “I feel honored to respond to the call at a time when we need to unite and look toward the future.”

Contributing: Douglas Gillison, Suzanne McGee and Michelle Price, Reuters