Vanilla Ice says he will perform at Freedom 250 concert despite other artists dropping out

Rapper Vanilla Ice said he will perform at a Washington, D.C., concert series organized by Freedom 250 even after several other artists withdrew.

The rapper, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, told CBS News on Monday that he would play for anyone, including Russian President Vladimir Putin or Iran. "It's simple as a pimple for me, there's nothing to it. It's the birthday of America," he said.

"Two hundred and fifty years. It's not anything to do with politics. I don't know why they're turning it into politics," Van Winkle said. He added that he has "never voted in my life."

Several artists pulled out after the lineup was announced last Wednesday. Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, The Commodores, Bret Michaels and Martina McBride all said they would not perform. Young MC wrote that organizers had claimed the event was non-partisan, but SPIN magazine described it as Trump-backed.

Freedom 250 was launched last year after an executive order from President Trump calling for "a grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence." The group says it is nonpartisan and dedicated to uniting Americans around the anniversary. Trump serves as chair of a separate task force created by the order. Freedom 250 and Task Force 250 are distinct from a 2016 bipartisan commission also planning 250th anniversary events.

The Great American State Fair, organized by Freedom 250, is scheduled to run from June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall. It will feature pavilions for all 56 states and territories, exhibits, live performances and classic fair attractions.

Van Winkle said he understood why other artists might back out if they view the event as too political or fear social media backlash. "For me, I'm just here to celebrate the country I was born in," he said.

He dismissed claims that artists had been misled. "When I play events, I never ask about them," he told CBS News. "I just go, 'Where am I going?' I don't even know and I don't even care, because I have fans and they have booked me to play a show."

Asked whether art can be separated from politics, Van Winkle said, "Heck yeah. They should never be in there." He added, "You should do whatever you feel like doing and express yourself. That's what music is."

Van Winkle, who has performed at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, said he would also play for Democratic politicians. "I'd go play for anybody," he said. "Putin. Whoever. You want — I'd go to Iran. Don't matter."

"You can't pick your fans. They pick you," he added. "You're just an entertainer. Don't ever try to think you're anything beyond that."