Trump Rep: Kanye West Not Invited to Perform at 'Typically and Traditionally American Event'

By: Jan. 19, 2017
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Back in December, Donald Trump met with hip hop legend Kanye West at New York's Trump Tower, posing for photos for the press. While it appeared that the rapper and the President-elect had struck up a friendship, many were surprised to learn that West had not been asked to perform at the Presidential Inauguration celebrations.

Earlier this week, Tom Barrack, chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Committee told CNN's Erin Burnett that West had not been asked to perform because his music wasn't right for the "typically and traditionally American event." He went on to explain, "He's been great, he considers himself a friend of the president-elect, but it's not the venue."

Many are perplexed by the explanation, considering that the Chicago-born artist performs hip-hop, a style of music that was invented in the United States in the late 1970s. In fact, West performed at MTV's Inaugural Youth Ball in honor of President Obama in 2009. Even more puzzling is that among this year's performers is the Lord of the Dance, Michael Flatley, who will reportedly perform at Friday night's Liberty Ball.

Watch the interview below:

Watch the CNN interview HERE

Source: Billboard



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