WASHINGTON (7News) — At least two artists have backed out of the Freedom 250 festival in Washington, D.C., after raising concerns about political ties to the government-sponsored event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Rapper Young MC announced Wednesday that he would not perform at the Freedom 250 event, saying artists were not told about any political involvement connected to the festival.
His announcement came after Morris Day said he and The Time would also not perform at The Great American State Fair, one of the events tied to the larger Freedom 250 celebration.
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In a statement posted to Instagram, Young MC said he informed his agents that he would not be performing at the event.
“The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event,” he wrote. “And despite the claims by the organizers that the event is non-partisan, SPIN magazine describes it as Trump-backed.”
Young MC added that he hopes to perform in D.C. in the future “at an event that is not so politically charged.”
Morris Day also posted on Instagram, writing, “Contrary To Rumor, Morris Day & The Time Will Not Be Performing at The ‘GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR.’”
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The statements came the same day organizers announced part of the lineup for the Freedom 250 festival.
The Great American State Fair is expected to be part of the multi-day Freedom 250 celebration on the National Mall.
The announced lineup included Martina McBride, Young MC, C+C Music Factory, Vanilla Ice, Milli Vanilli, The Commodores, Morris Day & The Time, Flo Rida, Bret Michaels, and others.
Organizers have promoted the event as a 16-day celebration featuring all 50 states, U.S. territories, and several national events tied to the country’s 250th birthday.
The Freedom 250 celebration is also expected to include a UFC event near the White House as part of the broader patriotic programming.
The UFC Freedom 250 event is scheduled for June 14 outside the White House and is expected to stream on Paramount+.
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