Why did Jazmine Sullivan drop out of the Welcome America concert? Lineup explored after LL Cool J's exit

Bust Your Windows’ singer Jazmine Sullivan announced on July 4, 2025, that she will be pulling out of the Wawa Welcome America Fourth of July concert in Philadelphia. This is a gesture by Jazmine to stand in solidarity with the striking municipal workers from AFSCME District Council 33, as reported by AP News.

The workers' strike began around July 1 and included nearly 10,000 municipal workers. Previously, the rapper and actor LL Cool J had announced on July 3, 2025, that he would not be performing at the concert, refusing to cross the picket line until a fair contract is reached.

More on why Jazmine Sullivan dropped out of the concert

On Friday, July 4, Jazmine took to her social media handle to announce that she was pulling out from performing at the Wawa Welcome America Fourth of July concert. She wrote:

''In this life we are only measured by how we uphold our morals and standards, by what we choose to fight for through participation or protest. Today I choose to not perform at the Wawa Welcome America concert and stand with Philly's DC33 until the city and union find a way to bring fair living wages to our working class.''

She continued:

''I love my city and I believe in you. Hopefully we will get to celebrate when things are better. -Jaz"

LL Cool J also posted a video on social media explaining his decision to pull out of the concert. In the video, he said:

''I never ever want to disappoint my fans, and especially in Philadelphia. Ya'll mean too much to me, but, there’s absolutely no way that I can perform, cross a picket line and pick up money when I know that people are out there fighting for a living wage. I hope, I hope, I hope that, you know, the mayor and the city can make a deal. I hope it works out.''

Mayor Cherelle Parker reacted to Jazmine's decision to drop out in a statement, as per NBC Philadelphia. She said:

''I respect Jazmine’s decision, and understand her desire to see our City unified. I feel exactly the same – our mission every day is ‘One Philly, a United City’. Jazmine, your hometown loves you!.''

Although LL Cool J and Jazmine have withdrawn from the concert, there are other performers, including JoJo, Álvaro Díaz, Mr. Hollywood DJ, and DJ Ghost & Friends.

The gates for the concert are scheduled to open at 4 p.m., and the performances will begin at 7 p.m. The fireworks are set for around 9 p.m.

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