Promoters Face Backlash For Featuring Vanilla Ice In All-Star ‘Selma Anniversary Concert’

The name ‘Selma’ is ringing many bells in 2015.

Indeed, despite losing out on the ‘Best Picture’ Academy Award this year for the 2014 Ava Duvernay historical film developed in its honor, the film remains a highly recommended watch by fans and critics.  A timely affair as March 7th, 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the city’s infamous ‘Bloody Sunday,’ the movie kicked off what is set to be a number of tributes in homage to the Alabama town’s mark on history.

The most notable acknowledgements will come via this weekend’s 40+ events commemorating the march on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, including an all-star concert featuring the likes of T.I., Tamar Braxton, Anthony Hamilton, Rick Ross, and Fantasia as well as appearances from President Barack Obama, Mary J. Blige and Bono of U2.  And, while fans of ‘Do What U Want‘ co-stars Lady Gaga & R. Kelly were disappointed to find out the duo will not be performing (as previously reported), some are expressing even deeper disappointment that ‘Ice Ice Baby’ star Vanilla Ice has been billed as a featured performer.

He may have just faced legal trouble for home invasion and burglary charges, but now it seems the former hitmaker is being accused of stealing another piece of black culture something else:

The above tweets surfaced just as local Alabama media discovered why BET opted to include the fallen rapper.

Via AL:

“Paxton Baker, general manager and executive vice president of Centric TV and president of BET Event Productions (the outfit that is leading the organization and roll-out of the Sunday show):

“Vanilla Ice was in the Soul Train Awards two years ago and he’s a really cool person. When we call him for things he likes working with us and we like working with him,” Baker said. “He’s one of the people we call to participate in things with us, and if he can do it he absolutely will. I sent him a text and within two minutes his response was two words: ‘I’m in.'”

The rapper will perform one of his own songs, but the highlight of his appearance in Selma will be his participation in an ensemble performance of an updated version of the classic hip-hop record “Self Destruction.”

Fans wanting to attend should visit http://www.selma50.com for more info. Otherwise, tune into BET.com or CentricTV.com on March 8th at 5/4p CST for the live stream.

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