Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas' apl.de.ap Says Charity Auction Makes 'Sense'

20 Dec 2011 10:12:42 EST

'Every time a bidder finishes building a classroom, the actual classroom will be named after them when it's built!' Apl says.
By Jocelyn Vena

apl.de.ap of The Black Eyed Peas perform on Good Morning America on July 30, 2010 in New York City
Photo: Jemal Countess/ Getty Images

The Black Eyed Peas' apl.de.ap is using the holiday season to give back. Last week he launched the Charity Dreams auction benefiting education in his native Philippines, where he serves as an educational ambassador. With the "We Can Be Anything" event that kicked off at CharityDreams.com and lasts through 9 p.m. ET Wednesday, apl.de.ap is getting the word out and trying to help raise money and awareness for the cause. Every bid will allow users to buy virtual books, pencils, chairs, desks and other supplies, and help build virtual classrooms in an effort to combine gaming, social networking and philanthropy. Each time a bidder finishes a virtual classroom, an actual classroom will be named for that bidder once construction is completed on the new schools. "Building virtual classrooms was the brainchild of Charity Dreams. So many people play games online, it's a huge business — and so harnessing the power of the Charity Dreams community to help build classrooms just made a lot of sense," Apl told MTV News in an email. "Every time a bidder finishes building a classroom, the actual classroom will be named after them when it's built!" While the students will get classrooms and school supplies, the lucky winning bidder will get a private jet flight out to Los Angeles to spend time in the studio with Apl creating a custom track in his or her honor. The BEP rapper will also cut a custom disc of the session and serve as the DJ at the winner's birthday party, where he will spin the song for the top-prize recipient and 50 of his or her friends. The winning bidder will also get a 2012 collector's edition Ferrari, $250,000 in cash and a trip to Las Vegas with 10 friends to spend New Year's Eve with Fergie while staying in the "Real World" penthouse suite. "I hope to build 10,000 classrooms in two years," apl.de.ap said, adding that he hopes to raise "as much as possible!!" The initial fee to place a charity bid is 99 cents. Organizers expect the final package to go for no more than a few hundred dollars thanks to a system in which each bid increases the top price by just a fraction of a penny. Each bid will also entitle users to an app, music download or playlist curated by Apl and featuring an exclusive song or the chance to have Apl follow you on Twitter.

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Black Eyed Peas' apl.de.ap Launches 'Charity Dreams' Auction

15 Dec 2011 15:22:00 EST

Fans can bid on a package that includes a Ferrari and studio time with the MC.
By Gil Kaufman

Apl.de.ap of The Black Eyed Peas
Photo: Getty Images

With the Black Eyed Peas recently announcing their hiatus after a star-studded sendoff show in Miami, the band's members are not wasting time getting busy. Leader will.i.am. has already dropped the eye-popping video for "T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)," the electro-fueled first single from his new solo album, while member apl.de.ap is focusing on non-musical ventures.

Apl announced the launch of this week of the "Charity Dreams" auction benefiting education in his native Philippines. The rapper, who is an educational ambassador for the island nation, is upping the ante on celebrity auctions in a major way with the "We Can Be Anything" event. The auction — which begins pre-registration this week at CharityDreams.com and lasts through 9 p.m. ET Wednesday — allows fans to start the bidding at just 99 cents for a huge prize package that may end up being the most affordable donation on the planet. Not only will the winner get a private-jet flight out to Los Angeles to spend time in the studio to watch as Apl creates a custom track in their honor, but the BEP rapper will also cut a custom disc of the session and serve as the DJ at the winner's birthday party, where he will spin the song for the top prize-getter and 50 of his or her friends. The winning bidder will also get a 2012 collector's edition Ferrari, $250,000 in cash and a trip to Las Vegas with 10 friends to spend New Year's Eve with Fergie while staying in the "Real World" penthouse suite. Once 1 million people pre-register and the bidding begins, all the money donated in bids will go toward building 10,000 classrooms in the Philippines and improving education in the nation. And even before the first brick is laid, bidders will be able to join together to help build "virtual classrooms." According to a release announcing the effort, every bid will allow users to buy virtual books, pencils, chairs, desks, etc., and help build virtual classrooms in an effort to combine gaming, social networking and philanthropy. Each time a bidder finishes a virtual classroom, an actual classroom will be named for that bidder once construction is completed on the new schools. In a unique twist, the initial fee to place a charity bid is 99 cents, with the bidding price beginning at $0. Organizers expect the final package to go for no more than a few hundred dollars thanks to a system in which each bid increases the top price by just a fraction of a penny. Each bid will also entitle users to an app, music download or play list curated by Apl and featuring an exclusive song or the chance to have Apl follow you on Twitter.

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Black Eyed Peas Go On Hiatus After Star-Studded Miami Show

28 Nov 2011 08:44:21 EST

Cee Lo Green, Jason DeRulo, Sean Kingston joined them for the gig.
By Gil Kaufman

Fergie and Will.I.Am
Photo: Larry Marano/ Getty Images

The Black Eyed Peas had a lot to be thankful for on Thursday, namely, a major break from nearly non-stop touring and recording. The multiplatinum group announced before their show on Wednesday night at Miami's Sun Life Stadium that they were going on indefinite hiatus to work on other projects. "Tonight is our graduation. It's a very special night for all of us," singer Fergie announced at the gig. "We're so thankful to be sharing this night together." The band didn't go into the good night all alone, though, as they packed the show with appearances from a number of pals, including T-Pain, Sean Kingston, Cee Lo Green, Jason DeRulo and Queen Latifah. The past 10 months have been action packed for the hip-pop act, as they played the Super Bowl halftime show  in February, recorded a video for Japanese tsunami relief in March and played the iHeartRadio Festival in July. They were slated to perform at the Michael Jackson Forever tribute concert  in Cardiff, Wales, last month, but scratched at the last minute due to "unavoidable circumstances." They made it official with an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Wednesday morning, during which Will said that they "always have two cycles of records and then we take a break." He explained that the quartet has lasted this long because they often take breaks to work on solo projects and get their personal lives in order and then come back and "make beautiful music." It's not like the Peas will be off the map entirely after three years of touring in support of The Beginning and The E.N.D. will.i.am just released a new single from his upcoming solo album, #willpower, featuring Jennifer Lopez and Mick Jagger, entitled "T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)." Taboo plans to spend more time with his family and promote his book, "Falling Up," while apl.de.ap will reportedly focus on being an education ambassador in the Philippines and Fergie will do more solo recording and perhaps start a family.

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Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Hudson Added To Michael Forever Tribute

23 Sep 2011 11:09:49 EDT

Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and many others will also participate in the Jamie Foxx-hosted show on October 8.
By Gil Kaufman

Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/ Getty Images

As the October 8 date approaches, the Michael Forever tribute concert in Cardiff, Wales, in honor of late pop icon Michael Jackson has added two more headliners. On Friday (September 23), the Black Eyed Peas joined a lineup that is also slated to feature performances by Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Leona Lewis, Ne-Yo, Craig David, Pixie Lott, Alexandra Burke, Alien Ant Farm and Motown legend Smokey Robinson. The show, which is being presented by Jackson's mother, Katherine, along with some but not all of the King of Pop's siblings (and without the sanction of his estate), will be hosted by Oscar winner Jamie Foxx. Pregnant pop queen Beyoncé will appear in some form at the show via a pre-taped satellite segment. A press release also announced that Oscar-winning singer Jennifer Hudson has been added to the lineup as well. In a statement, Peas co-founder will.i.am — who spent time in the studio with Jackson prior to the singer's June 2009 death — said of his band's participation, "This show is going to be an incredibly personal and moving evening for me. Remember that Michael's music, his great, great songs, have been an inspiration to my whole life and certainly formed the soundtrack to my childhood. When I was a little kid of six or seven growing up in Los Angeles, there was Michael recording Thriller, and all his early hits, just a few miles away across town — obviously I didn't know him at that time, but I loved him as a fan." One of the members of the original Jackson Five, sibling Marlon Jackson, will be on hand, and he expressed his excitement about the addition of the Peas. "We're all really delighted and touched that the Black Eyed Peas are able to come and take part " he said. "My brother rated Will.i.am and the original things he does in music very highly. I guess you could say it was a case of mutual respect." Some members of the Jackson family, including siblings Janet, Jermaine and Randy, have complained about the timing of the show, which will take place in the midst of the manslaughter trial of Jackson's physician Dr. Conrad Murray.

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Black Eyed Peas, Phish Help Flood Victims

07 Sep 2011 08:55:18 EDT

Peas benefit concert raised more than $1 million for North Dakota flood recovery efforts.
By Gil Kaufman

Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am
Photo: Carlos Alvarez/ Getty Images

It's been a summer of devastating flooding in the Midwest and northeast and two bands are doing their part to help victims of the storms clean up. Officials said on Wednesday (September 7) that the Black Eyed Peas raised at least $1.3 million to help flood recovery efforts in the North Dakota town of Minot with a concert Saturday at the North Dakota State Fair Grandstand. According to the Associated Press, the group drew nearly 16,000 fans to the show, which featured an appearance from actor and Minot native Josh Duhamel, who is married to BEP singer Fergie. Nearly one-fourth of the city's residents were evacuated earlier this summer when the Souris River flooded the town. Meanwhile, jam band godheads Phish plan to perform their first show in their home state of Vermont since 2004 in order to help victims of Tropical Storm Irene. The show will take place on September 14 at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, with tickets going on sale on Saturday. The group, which formed in Vermont 28 years ago, said in a statement that the devastation in the region from the storm had a profound effect on them. "It's been heartbreaking to see all the loss and destruction that came from the storm," said Phish keyboardist Page McConnell. "Vermont is very much a part of who we are as a band. We're really looking forward to playing this show and we hope the money raised will make a difference in the recovery and rebuilding effort." Tickets will be $75, and proceeds from the show and merchandise sales will go to the band's WaterWheel Foundation and the Vermont Community Foundation to aid in recovery from the flooding caused by the storm.

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Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Coldplay Confirmed For I Heart Radio Festival

11 Jul 2011 11:42:07 EDT

Two-day fest, set for September 23-24 in Las Vegas, also features the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood and others.
By James Montgomery

Lady Gaga
Photo: Jag Gundu/ Getty Images

It's being billed as "the biggest live music event in radio history" (whatever that means), and so, the organizers of the brand-new iHeartRadio Festival have pulled out all the stops, delivering a lineup that's appropriately loaded with some of the biggest stars in the business. Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Nicki Minaj, the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler are just some of the acts set to appear at the inaugural I Heart Radio fest, scheduled for September 23 and 24 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. They'll be joined on the bill by the likes of Kenny Chesney, Jennifer Lopez, David Guetta, Rascal Flatts, Kelly Clarkson and John Mayer (to name just a few). Organizers promise that even more artists will be added to the bill as the summer stretches on. The eternally busy Ryan Seacrest will host the event, which will stream live online and via mobile devices at iHeartRadio.com, and across the websites of all Clear Channel-owned radio stations. If you'd prefer to be there in person, you can get a first crack at tickets by liking iHeartRadio on Facebook. The pre-sale ends at 1 a.m. ET this Saturday, with tickets going on sale to the general public later that same day (at 1 p.m. ET) through Ticketmaster.com. Of course, given that this is a radio fest, Clear Channel is also giving listeners plenty of chances to win a free trip to Vegas for the event. For more information on how you can score yours, check out iHeartRadio Music Festival's official site.

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Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift 'Feel Horrible' About Concert Cancellation

10 Jun 2011 10:26:00 EDT

The Peas and Swift took to Twitter to apologize to fans after a star-studded NYC charity show was postponed due to bad weather on Thursday.
By Jocelyn Vena

Black Eyed Peas at the 2009 AMA's
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ Getty Images

The weather just didn't want to cooperate with the Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift and the other artists slated to perform in New York's Central Park on Thursday night at a concert to benefit the Robin Hood Foundation anti-poverty organization. After a number of delays, and before anyone could take the stage, the Concert 4 NYC had been canceled. The show, which had been slated to take place on Central Park's Great Lawn and was expected to draw an audience of approximately 60,000 fans, initially was just delayed but concert promoters eventually decided to pull the plug on the event as the weather worsened and thunder and rain rolled in, Billboard.com reports. Among the other acts that had been scheduled to perform were Debbie Harry, LL Cool J and Natasha Bedingfield. A rep for the concert has confirmed to MTV News that no new date has been scheduled. In a statement, the Robin Hood Foundation said, "The heat wasn't going to stop them, the rain wasn't going to stop them, but the lightning — it stopped them. It came down to safety for everyone. Organizers are hoping to reschedule, so ticket buyers should hold onto their tickets. Robinhood.org will have information in the next week or so." The artists themselves also have apologized to fans for the cancelation. Swift tweeted, "I was like 'I get to sing with Fergie in NYC?!' and then there was rain and lightning and they're like 'it's cancelled' and I was like [sad emoticon]." The Black Eyed Peas, who reportedly performed an intimate show backstage for fans, also took to Twitter to posted about the nixed concert. "I'm so sad the show got postponed," will.i.am wrote. "Fergie is really sorry it's not happening we feel horrible," Taboo added on his Twitter page. "We are devastated and Fergie told me to tweet this she loves u all ... I hope that the concert will be rescheduled ASAP, our pea-ple deserve it, my pea-ple from chase and robinhood deserve this NYC we love u."

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Black Eyed Peas Go Behind-The-Scenes In 'Don't Stop The Party' Video

11 May 2011 11:43:00 EDT

Clip for third single off The Beginning gives view of life on the road.
By Jocelyn Vena

Black Eyed Peas perform at the Super Bowl
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images

Want to know what it's like to be in the Black Eyed Peas? The new video for the group's track "Don't Stop the Party," which hit the Internet on Wednesday, is giving fans a bird's-eye view of life on the road. A mix of concert shots, behind-the-scenes footage and studio footage, it all blends together to paint a picture of life as a Black Eyed Pea. When they aren't onstage, the bandmembers are seen partying and having a good time dancing around. The song is the third single off The Beginning. Produced by DJ Ammo and will.i.am, it's a full-on club banger, much like previous singles "The Time (Dirty Bit)" and "Just Can't Get Enough." The video for the latter helped raise funds for Japanese disaster relief after the tsunami. The track features heavy club beats, Auto-Tune and lots of house music elements, something that the team intended to include on the album as a whole. "The E.N.D. was a zeitgeist of the time, articulating that it's the end of the era," will.i.am told MTV News last year. "We're still passionate about music, so The Beginning [is] utilizing all the technologies, doing new things. Stuff like that, that's The Beginning." With its behind-the scenes shots, the video for "Don't Stop the Party" certainly sheds some light on how the album was made. "I mean, you have to realize this album was made on tour," Fergie said. "Basically these guys have hotel rooms with studios in them. Now technology has allowed us to make albums in hotel rooms. They'd leave their doors open, and I'd walk in [and just start singing]."

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The Black Eyed Peas Define Innovation Before O Music Awards Debate

24 Apr 2011 11:02:35 EDT

Most Innovative Music Video award will be handed out live Monday at 4 p.m. ET during online roundtable.
By MTV News staff

will.i.am
Photo: MTV News

On Monday, in a roundtable debate, the first-ever O Music Award will be handed out: Most Innovative Music Video. For weeks, fans have been voting for their favorite boundary-pushing, genre-expanding clip over at the O Music Awards site, and come Monday (at 4 p.m. ET on OMusicAwards.com and MTV.com), they can watch as a winner is crowned — after some spirited debate from producer/ Global14.com creator Jermaine Dupri, acclaimed video director Wayne Isham, Mashable's Brenna Ehrlich and MTV News' James Montgomery.

We'll also be hearing from a host of acts who know a thing or two about innovation — including the Black Eyed Peas, who have melded hip-hop, pop and dance music into a sound that is uniquely theirs and have pushed the boundaries of music videos at the same time. So we decided to ask them to describe what innovation means to them. And, not surprisingly, they went all the way back to the early days of MTV — during the first reign of the King of Pop. "There would be no MTV if it wasn't for Michael Jackson," will.i.am said. "If you think about it, 'Billie Jean' and 'Thriller' — all those songs — it was right around the time the video, it boomed. It was the first Internet, right? The idea of a visual, coupled with audio, and it was the first time you would see your favorite artist who was played all over the radio that told you to go see the concert. "So the video amplified concerts, it amplified the song on the radio, it created a business to where we were given MTV songs to play our video," he continued. "It was a great business. 'Check this out: I'm going to play the stuff you pay to make.' ... That is the best thing in the world." And from Michael Jackson to today, the Peas see a clear line of inspiration — one that pushes the medium of the music video forward, through nothing more than sheer innovation alone. "It makes you really inspired to see people like Missy Elliott. She always had amazing videos. Ludacris, Busta Rhymes ... Marilyn Manson is one of my favorite video stars; I'm always stuck like glue to the screen when he presents a video, because it's just interesting, and it's creative, and it's really showing a peephole into his world," Fergie said. "And I think that's what it is with a video: You're getting a peephole into a moment of an artist's life, to present the visual with what you do sonically." The O Music Awards debate for the Most Innovative Music Video, presented by FUZE®, will stream live on OMusicAwards.com and MTV.com at 4 p.m. ET on Monday. The inaugural O Music Awards will stream live from Las Vegas at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on OMusicAwards.com. Tune in to see who will reign supreme in categories like Most Viral Dance, Funniest Music Short and NSFW Music Video!

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The Black Eyed Peas Are 'Attached' To 'Just Can't Get Enough' Video

22 Apr 2011 13:50:05 EDT

Don't miss the Peas' performance tonight at midnight ET on MTV.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Black Eyed Peas' Fergie performs "Just Can't Get Enough"
Photo: MTV News

For latest single "Just Can't Get Enough," the Black Eyed Peas ended up making a video love letter to Japan. The group had shot the clip — complete with glitzy shots of the Asian country — just before an earthquake and tsunami struck. The sentiment they feel for the video very much mirrors the emotion that went into making the song.

"We're emotionally attached to it because we recorded the video in Japan five days before this whole thing went down, and it's like the type of song that gets to you in your heart," Taboo told MTV News when we caught up with the group at Terminal 5 in New York, where they were taping a show set to air tonight at midnight ET on MTV. The song is a sugary-sweet dance track about being infatuated with that special someone. "The message is knowing that when you're gone from somebody, especially when you're on tour, you can't get enough of them or you're just thinking about them and you just want to let them know that you're always there for them," Taboo explained. The band released the video last month, and they say they could never have known how much it would mean to them. "It was the easiest video I ever shot, because it was us living our lives," Fergie said at the time. "I love that it's showing a true perspective of how it can sometimes be lonely on the road away from our loved ones. It also demonstrates the love and connection we have with Japan. Our heart goes out to all of the Japanese people who have been affected by this natural disaster." Don't miss the Black Eyed Peas' performance tonight at midnight ET on MTV.

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