Rapper Vanilla Ice, whose 1990 hit “Ice Ice Baby” defined a generation, is standing by his decision to perform at Freedom 250’s “Great American State Fair” — and insisting the move has nothing to do with politics.
“I’m not gonna get dragged into that,” the artist born Robert Van Winkle told TMZ on Friday, after several other announced acts either denied involvement or backed out of the event, which is tied to former President Donald Trump’s campaign.
“I’m here to party with America, man,” he said. “Music is made to bring people together, and that’s what we’re here to do, man. We’re just gonna represent the ’90s. I don’t take anything too serious. I don’t think anybody else should. I think we should just dance, you know? It’s life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and, you gotta get out and pursue it. With dance.”
Vanilla Ice went further, telling the outlet he doesn’t even vote and would perform for President Joe Biden or Russian President Vladimir Putin without hesitation. “If Biden called up … and he said, ‘My daughter’s getting married, we need Vanilla Ice,’ I’d go play. It’s not a big thing. You play for your fans. … And, I’ll go play for Putin and I’ll play in Iran, if you want. It don’t matter. There’s fans everywhere. Music is not political, man. It’s universal. It just brings people together.”
His comments come amid a chaotic rollout for the Great American State Fair, which Freedom 250 had billed as a multi-day concert series in Washington, D.C., running June 25 to July 3. The group initially announced a lineup that included Martina McBride, C+C Music Factory, Milli Vanilli, Young MC, The Commodores, Morris Day and The Time, Flo Rida, and Bret Michaels.
But most of those acts quickly distanced themselves. Young MC and Morris Day and The Time said they were never told about the event’s political ties. The Commodores, Martina McBride, and Bret Michaels later announced they would not participate. C+C Music Factory also faced internal confusion over rights to the name, while some singers from Milli Vanilli’s early recordings said they would not appear — even as Fab Morvan, the group’s surviving frontman, indicated he would still perform. Flo Rida has not commented.
Trump himself added to the turmoil by suggesting the musical acts be canceled, calling some performers “overpriced singers, who nobody wants to hear, whose music is boring” and “who do nothing but complain.” He then announced he would “take the place” of the artists and hold a rally to launch the fair on June 24. A Freedom 250 representative confirmed Trump would “personally kick off this historic celebration,” according to the Associated Press.
It remains unclear whether any musical acts will still perform. A spokesperson for Freedom 250 did not respond to a request for comment on the status of the concert series. Vanilla Ice, meanwhile, said he doesn’t begrudge any artist who backed out, including Young MC, who he is currently touring with on the “I Love the ’90s” tour. C+C Music Factory is also appearing at select dates of that tour.
The rapper’s apolitical stance echoes a broader tension in the entertainment world, where artists increasingly face pressure to take sides. For Vanilla Ice, the calculus is simple: “I don’t even vote, so I don’t even care.”
