Vanilla Ice expressed his excitement about performing at the Great American State Fair after several artists pulled out.
The American flag festival, organized by Freedom 250, a public-private partnership established by President Donald Trump, is part of the nationwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. However, shortly after the event was announced in Washington last week, many singers canceled their scheduled performances, including Bret Michaels, Martina McBride, The Commodores, Young MC, and Morris Day.
Vanilla Ice, on the other hand, is excited about her upcoming performance next month. In an interview on Friday, TMZ He stated that he did not intend to get "drawn into" the political controversy surrounding the concert.
«"I'm here to celebrate with America, man. Music is meant to bring people together, and that's what we're here for. And we're just going to represent the '90s," said the singer behind the hit "Ice Ice Baby.".
The 58-year-old singer, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, said he was performing the show to celebrate the anniversary of American independence, not to focus on politics. .
Vanilla Ice said he was honored to perform at Trump's 250th Anniversary of Freedom concert (Getty).
«"I don't even vote, so I don't care. And if Biden called and said, 'My daughter's getting married, we need Vanilla Ice,' I'd go play. It doesn't really matter," he continued. "You play for your fans. We don't get to choose our fans; they choose us.".
«"I'll go play for Putin, and I'll go play in Iran, if you want. It doesn't matter. Fans are everywhere. Music isn't political, man. It's universal, it just unites people.".
He responded to other artists' decisions to decline to participate in a Trump administration event. "Don't take it so seriously. We're just artists," he continued. "I don't think anyone should take it seriously, including them. I think everyone should just go and dance. It's just music, what's the big deal?"«
On Thursday, Vanilla Ice shared similar sentiments about the concert on Instagram. "It's all about enjoying the good times 250 years ago, man. From George Washington to now, every president and everyone in between," he said.
In the caption, he added: "This is going to be a huge party. This is meant to bring us all together. I'm tired of the news channels dividing this country. We are all united. This is not a political platform. This is a celebration of America's birthday.".
Vanilla Ice says Freedom 250 will be an 'epic party' amid controversy (@vanillaiceofficial / Instagram)
At least six of the scheduled performers have pulled out. "I've informed my agents that I won't be performing at Freedom 250," rapper Young MC, best known for his 1989 hit "Bust a Move," wrote on Instagram.
«"The artists were never informed of any political implications for the event," he wrote. "And despite the organizers' claims that the event was not partisan in nature, the magazine SPIN describes it as a Trump-backed event… I hope to speak in Washington in the near future at an event that won't have such strong political overtones.".
Morris Day, lead singer of the Prince-affiliated band The Time, also announced his withdrawal. "Contrary to rumors, Morris Day and The Time will not be performing at the Great American State Fair," he wrote on Instagram. "This is unacceptable to me.".
The fair, scheduled to run from June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall, will feature "live performances, immersive exhibits, patriotic events, innovation showcases, cultural programming, and family-friendly fun stretching from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument," Freedom 250 CEO Keith Krach said in a statement.