Recommendations of the Editorial team
An announcement of the lineup for the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington DC as part of Freedom 250 caused considerable confusion among those involved on Wednesday. Morris Day, frontman of The Time, immediately explained, that a performance by his funk ensemble was “a no for me” – and others followed his example.
The original lineup for the event — organized by Keith Krach, an appointee of President Trump — included Martina McBride, Flo Rida, Vanilla Ice, Young MC, C+C Music Factory, Milli Vanilli, the Commodores and Bret Michaels. It wasn’t long before Day distanced himself from the event in a social media post, calling the booking a “rumor.”
Young MC, 59, announced late on Wednesday evening that he would not be lifting a finger at the event. “I HAVE INFORMED MY AGENTS THAT I WILL NOT BE PERFORMING AT THE FREEDOM 250 EVENT,” he wrote on Facebook. “The artists were never informed of any political involvement in the event.”
Young MC’s statement
Young MC told VIBE on Thursday: “I had no idea it was considered a Trump-affiliated event – that was new to me. My stance was: tell me what the event is, what it’s about, who you are, and then give me the choice whether I want to attend or not. I was never given that choice. I was told one thing and then it was a bait-and-switch game. All the comments I saw from the artists who canceled, show: They thought it was a normal show in DC”
Members of C+C Music Factory, however, have said they are looking forward to the performance. Freedom Williams, the rapper on “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” and the group’s other hits, filmed himself – possibly in the toilet – and said he wanted to be there. “I don’t give a fuck about Trump,” he said. “I fuck with Trump. I fuck with Trump’s family. I don’t know the n—a. I’m from New York. I know the kind of anarchy he spreads. But the day I allow you motherfuckers to tell me what to do, I die.” He then declared that he would rather vote for Genghis Khan, Hitler and “goddamn Ivan the Terrible before I let you n—as tell you what to do.”
However, Robert Clivillés, one of Music Factory’s eponymous Cs, made it clear in an Instagram post that he could not support Williams’ tirade. In another post, Clivillés wrote that it was “Freedom Williams misrepresenting C&C Music Factory alone” – a reference to Williams using the group name without permission. “Please comment on his personal page and know that this is not a participation of C&C Music Factory.” Furthermore, he emphasized that the Music Factory “does not participate in or take sides with any particular political party.”
Vanilla Ice is there
Vanilla Ice’s manager TQ Management told ROLLING STONE that the rapper is looking forward to the concert. “Vanilla Ice has a contract and will perform at the Great American Fair on the National Mall on Friday, June 26,” the spokesperson said. “He is proud to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary! Everyone is welcome to come and celebrate America’s birthday and our freedom!”
Press representatives for Bret Michaels, Flo Rida, Martina McBride, Milli Vanilli and the Commodores did not initially respond to ROLLING STONE’s inquiries.
Trump appointee Krach outlined his goals for Freedom 250 in a statement on his website. “I am grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to implement his vision for Freedom 250,” he wrote. “At its core, Freedom 250 is a national movement – bringing states, businesses, organizations and citizens together to honor our history, steward our God-given freedoms and help build a golden age of opportunity for the next 250 years.”
