Vanilla Ice will perform at a tribute show this weekend in Alabama to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the march on Selma.

No, no … I wouldn’t even try making that joke.

BET invited Mr. Ice to perform alongside people like Harry Belafonte because …?

Paxton Baker, a programming for the network, tried to explain, according to Uproxx.com

“Vanilla Ice was in the Soul Train Awards two years ago and he’s a really cool person,” Baker said. “When we call him for things, he likes working with us and we like working with him. 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.'”

Well … it’s not like he has anything better to do.

Belafonte, as you may know, isn’t just a legendary performer. He’s also been at the forefront of the civil rights struggle.

Vanilla Ice was accused of burglarizing a house last month in Florida. But, you know, he seems to be a “cool person.”

Other performers will include Bill Withers, Cicely Tyson, Rick Ross, Flava Flav, and Doug E. Fresh.

Tony Hicks writes celebrity commentary for the Bay Area News Group. Contact him at Facebook.com/BayAreaNewsGroup.TonyHicks or Twitter.com/tonyhicks67