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Ludacris Exits Rock the Country Lineup Following Fan Backlash

Ludacris was removed from the 2026 Rock the Country lineup due to a booking error amid backlash over the festival's political associations, organizers and his team said.

  • Monday, Ludacris exited the Rock The Country lineup after days of backlash, with Rolling Stone reporting he was quietly removed from promotional posters.
  • The festival, launched in 2024, announced its lineup Monday and was described by The New York Times as `a vision of the MAGA movement in pure party mode`; fans labeled it a `MAGA Festival` citing Kid Rock's support for President Donald Trump.
  • Festival representatives called the listing `a mistake` and said `lines got crossed`, while Ludacris's spokesperson described his inclusion as `a mix-up` and a misunderstanding.
  • Organizers say the eight-city U.S. tour beginning in Texas in May will proceed without Ludacris but still includes Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Nelly, rapper.
  • Social-Media users urged boycotts and financial pressure to `hit their pockets`, while fans voiced frustration and accused artists of pandering amid online uproar.
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TMZ broke the news in Los Angeles, United States on Friday, January 16, 2026.
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