Freedom 250 Fiasco: Artists Bail on Controversial Concert Amidst Confusion and Division

Well, things are getting complicated. The lineup for the Great American State Fair's 'Freedom 250' concert was initially announced with a roster including Milli Vanilli, Morris Day And The Time, C+C Music Factory, Young MC, Bret Michaels, Flo Rida, and others, intended to celebrate 250 years of the USA.

Shortly after the announcement, Morris Day And The Time dropped out, dismissing it as a "rumor." Young MC quickly followed suit.

Now, even the participation of "Milli Vanilli" is in question, hinging on semantics.

Singer Jodie Rocco, representing "the Real Milli Vanilli," told The Associated Press that she and her sister Linda Rocco, along with other group members, were never asked to perform. The Rocco sisters contributed backing vocals to Milli Vanilli's albums, All Or Nothing (1988) and Girl You Know It's True (1989), and appeared on Oprah: Where Are They Now? in 2014. Jodie Rocco stated on the show, "It was a common practice for producers, singers, musicians, record companies to have somebody else fronting a very good vocalist. It was a no-brainer."
Jodie Rocco

However, Fab Morvan is the artist most widely associated with Milli Vanilli, and he owns the Milli Vanilli name. The other member of the duo, Rob Pilatus, passed away in 1998.

Rocco shared a press release clarifying that she and her fellow non-Morvan singers are not involved in Freedom 250:

> The original/real vocalists from Milli Vanilli, Jodie Rocco, Linda Rocco, John Davis, and Charles Shaw will NOT be performing their hits live at The Great American State Fair. Others using the name 'Milli Vanilli' that appear on the advertisement should be considered a tribute band with no association vocally or musically to our sound or songs.

Morvan confirmed his participation, stating, “I am here to entertain and unite people, not divide them. Let’s celebrate life & music and take a trip down memory lane. I feel honored to be a part of as it will celebrate the 250 Year Anniversary of America with so many other accomplished artists.”

The situation with C+C Music Factory is equally complex, with differing viewpoints on the event. Rapper Freedom Williams, who owns the trademark and performs as C+C Music Factory, defended his decision in a seven-minute toilet rant video last night. While not a Trump supporter, he asserted his independence in choosing his actions.

However, C+C co-founder Robert Clivilles sought to distance the group's name from the controversy. He posted:

> PLEASE BE AWARE that Freedom Williams has done his best to steal, misrepresent and or misuse our name,
>
> C&C Music Factory which in-fact means Clivlles & Cole Music Factory, Freedom Williams should not be using it to tour nor represent what this group stands for in anyway!
>
> He should address himself as Freedom Williams formerly a guest artist on C&C Music Factory.
>
> Freedom Williams was never an actual member of C&C, never, Freedom Williams was, since the beginning “contractually” and “credited” as a guest featured Artist, that’s all.
>
> Any comment or event that Freedom Williams makes or participates in regarding any Political or Religious views or opinions, he makes as an individual solely, it has nothing to do with C&C Music Factories viewpoint in anyway, please go to his personal page and or his fake C&C Music Factory page and vent.
>
> As the Creator of C&C MUSIC FACTORY, I can state that we stand for love of all people and races globally and neutrality in all beliefs, in freedom and justice for all humanity✌?

Clivilles encourages followers to visit the brand new C&C Music Factory (Official Page), as opposed to officialcncmusicfactory, where Freedom Williams posted his video.

Meanwhile, Vanilla Ice attempted to smooth things over with a video message emphasizing his commitment to the Freedom 250 shows. He stated it's an honor to be involved and urged attendees not to take things too seriously. Here's his full message, as delivered in a video on Instagram:

This just in! There's a situation. It's going down! America is turning two-fitty. Come on, man, let's go! I'm super honored to do this concert with everybody. We're gonna bring back the '90s. Put your dancing shoes on. You'll be happy, trust me. It's all about enjoying the great times of 250 years, man, from George Washington to now, and all the presidents, everybody in between. This is a magical event that's gonna happen, and very rare. So I'm honored, man. This is gonna be epic. And that's it. We don't take anything too serious, man. We're gonna bring the '90s. That's how it works! Go ninja, go ninja, go! So we're gonna turn everybody into a teenager for the night. Proud to be an American, and proud and honored for this event. So get in where you fit in, and we'll see you there. Holla holla.

UPDATE: Like Morris Day and Young MC, The Commodores and Martina McBride also withdrew from the festivities on Thursday evening.

"The Commodores will not be performing at the Great American State Fair," the funk group announced. "Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party. We support the betterment of all Americans."

Country star McBride posted:

> I would like to talk to you and clear the air. I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25th. I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading. I asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states. In my mind I thought this was a great way to celebrate the states and also bring people together in the way that only music can. I saw it as just a bigger version of so many state fairs I have performed at over the years, celebrating community and what makes each state special. Sounds fun, right? Wholesome even. Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening. I've spent my entire career singing songs about real people with real issues. I've been blessed with the opportunity to be a voice for those who have felt like they didn't have one. It greatly upsets me that anyfan who has been moved by my music may now feel like I'm abandoning the meaning behind those songs. I assure you, that is not the case. I appreciate every single fan who has reached out. I hope to get back to the DC area very soon.

UPDATE: Late Thursday night, Bret Michaels released a statement confirming his departure.

> Hello to all my awesome friends & fans,
> I wanted to jump on here real quick and talk about the upcoming Freedom 250 event in Washington, D.C.
>
> When this opportunity was originally presented to my team, it was described as a celebration of our country through music and a chance to honor our veterans, active military, first responders, teachers and hardworking Americans from all walks of life. As the son of a veteran, and coming from a family that has proudly served, that is something I have always been honored to support.
>
> As many of you know, I've spent my entire career bringing people together through music, positivity and good vibes. My shows have never been about politics. They're about giving people a place to come together, have a great time and forget about life's stresses for a few hours.
>
> Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of. Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable.
>
> Because of that, I have made the difficult decision to step away from this performance.
>
> This isn't about politics. It's about staying true to what I've always believed in. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. That's one of the freedoms our veterans fought for and something I've always respected. But as a father, friend and bandmate, I have to take threats and safety concerns seriously.
> I believe in our country, in the freedoms we're afforded, and in the idea that for over 250 years we have gone through both highs and lows together and remained resilient. Music is a universal language that unites us, not divides us. Just like it did when I entertained a record-breaking crowd of over 100,000 at the St. Louis Arch for an Independence Day celebration with people from across the country who came together to honor our freedoms through music. The focus was on the music, the fans and celebrating together.
>
> I will continue to proudly support our veterans, active military members, teachers, first responders and the organizations that serve them, just as I always have.
>
> I also want my amazing fans in Washington, D.C. to know that I love you all, and I fully intend to come back and perform in our nation's capital under circumstances where the focus can remain on what it should be - the music and the fans.
>
> In the meantime, we'll keep the Live & Amplified Tour rocking, and I look forward to seeing all of you out on the road soon.
>
> This is said with much love, gratitude, and respect.
>
> Your friend,
> Bret
> (A lead singer with long texting issues)

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