| |
 | Posted by newsngossip
| Mon, November 28, 2011 at 10:52 PM |
 The Black Eyed Peas is a popular American pop group that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1995. However, it was originally known as an alternative hip hop group. Now that the famed music group members have disclosed their plans to disband to focus on separate projects, many of their fans were saddened of the news. After their performance in Miami, Florida, the Black Eyed Peas will start its indefinite hiatus from recording and releasing new music.
According to front man Will.I.Am, the disbandment of their group is more of a "break," and they will spend time completing separate projects. He stated: "We always have two cycles of records and then we take a break. And then two cycles of records and then a break. When we take breaks you know, we work on side projects and get our personal stuff in order then come back and make beautiful music. We think beautiful music."
The plans of each member of the well-known group are also made known to the public. While Taboo plans to spend time with his family, Apl.De.Ap will focus on being an ambassador for education in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Fergie is looking forward to start a family.
On one occasion, Fergie had shared her thoughts on the impending hiatus of their group. She stated: "[Y]eah, that's one of the things that we want to do. I've just been touring since 2003 and like anything things get monotonous and you're doing the same thing every night. I'd like to go days without wearing make-up and watching my football games. Doing my footwear collection and my fragrances…Just going where the day takes me."  Share on Facebook ·  Bookmark on Delicious  Black Eyed Peas
NEW YORK - Pop music stars The Black Eyed Peas have rescheduled their "Concert 4 NYC" to September 30 after extreme weather in June forced organizers to cancel the Central Park event, will.i.am announced on Wednesday.
The Black Eyed Peas singer and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg held a joint news conference to unveil the new date and tell the 54,000 ticket holders to the benefit concert that they could now claim new tickets.
"I don't know where to begin to tell you how proud I am to be performing here at Central Park for our rescheduled date," band member Will.I.Am said, "And how sad I was when it got canceled because of lightning."
The Black Eyed Peas, comprised of will.i.am, Fergie, apl.de.ap and Taboo, are among the biggest hip hop and pop music acts of the 2000s having scored hit records such as "My Humps," "Let's Get It Started," and "Where Is the Love?"
The Central Park event will benefit Robin Hood, a poverty-focused charity in New York City and fund the creation of three new sites for The Black Eyed Peas' Peapod Music and Arts Academies, which cater to disadvantaged and foster children.
The site of the show, Central Park's 55-acre Great Lawn, has long hosted annual concerts for the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera, as well as the occasional show by some of the biggest names in music like Diana Ross, Bon Jovi, Simon & Garfunkel and Garth Brooks.
"There's nothing quite like a concert in central park," Bloomberg said.
 | Posted by news
| Mon, July 04, 2011 at 6:39 AM |
 will.i.am 
So let’s get it out of the way. Will.i.am doesn’t care what his critics think. The 37-year-old bristles at the notion that his once stripped down, back-to-basics rap troop the Black Eyed Peas has sold out to become a world-beating pop behemoth, complete with crossover princess Fergie. Will laughs at the suggestion that he is not a true hip-hop head; that he is obsessed with being no. 1 on the music charts. Indeed, the rapper, producer, and songwriter, who grew up in the projects of East Los Angeles, will be the first to tell you he has nothing to prove to the skeptics.
“When I hear these critics and MC’s judging the Peas’ movement and saying I’ve sold out, they don’t know where my map is going to even judge my music,” he tells VIBE. “My brain is beyond how you are judging me. Judge me by my entire career and what I contributed to hip-hop, pop and the underground. Judge me on what I’ve contributed to social activism when I produced a song for [then candidate] Barack Obama. Judge me as an entrepreneur; judge me as a businessman. But most of all, judge me as someone who loves music.”
It would be quite easy to measure will.i.am’s success with the more than 50 million in worldwide albums sales that the Peas have enjoyed. But ask him what he is most proud of and he will talk to you for hours about the time he landed his first record deal with late gangsta rap icon and N.W.A. founder Eazy E and his Ruthless Records. He will go on and on about his studio time with Mos Def. Will’s voice switches to a hardcore STAN when he waxes poetic about his love for De La Soul. Or his time recording with the late King of Pop Michael Jackson"which he says remains the...click to continue reading
Source: AH
US singer Will.I.Am, frontman of hip-hop group The Black Eyed Peas, wowed locals in a Paris neighbourhood park on Saturday, rapping for them personally in a surprise appearance.
The global star freestyled for several minutes on stage in front of a few hundred fans assembled for a local hip-hop festival -- a contrast to the tens of thousands who have paid to see him in three concerts this week at the Stade de France national stadium.
His surprise turn in the Square Sarah Bernhardt park, eastern Paris, drew wild cheers from residents of Paris's largely immigrant and working class 20th arrondissement district, at the start of the Paris Hip Hop festival.
"In the 20th district... the pleasure that you want... Don't forget it," he rapped, before making way for French rappers and breakdancers.
"Coming here to the 20th district is so special because it reminds me of my neighbourhood where I grew up" in east Los Angeles, the star, dressed in dark aviator shades and bright yellow sports shoes, told the crowd.
Earlier he gave an inspirational address to young aspiring musicians and dancers at a community centre, on a visit forming part of cultural outreach efforts by US diplomats and local authorities.
He told them of his rise to stardom with the Black Eyed Peas after growing up in an LA neighbourhood stricken, as French suburbs have been, by violence between youths and police.
Hip-hop and rap music are popular in France's poor urban districts, where young people complain of being excluded and disrespected by politicians and the police.
"People are always going to tell you you can't do it, but you can't listen to that," Will.I.Am told the youngsters.
He spoke also of his childhood friends who were killed due to crime or clashes with police.
"You can tell he's speaking from experience," said Yannick Fred, 19, a member of a local community association who attended.
"He is like us. He talked about lots of things he has experienced. It's the kind of thing we have experienced ourselves."
The singer's visit was organised by the town hall of the district in northern Paris and Charles Rivkin, the former Hollywood executive who is now the US ambassador to France.
Rivkin has launched various cultural projects to reach out to France's run-down urban districts since his appointment by US President Barack Obama in 2009.
The projects aim partly to improve the United States' image in France after it was dimmed following the Iraq war.
"Mr Rivkin is Barack Obama's representative in France," local Mayor Frederique Calandra told the crowd, drawing huge cheers.
"We are so happy that the United States is taking an interest in our neighbourhoods."  Keyshia Cole at 2006 Billboard Awards After five years of dormancy, the Billboard Music Awards are being revived Sunday with a major dose of star power.
Rihanna and Eminem are among the top competitors, Beyonce is due to receive a top honor, and performers include Britney Spears, the Black Eyed Peas and Cee Lo Green.
The Billboard Awards had been a staple since 1989, but gave out what appeared to be its last award in 2006. This year, the show was brought back.
It's being held in Las Vegas, and will be broadcast live on ABC.
The Billboard Music Awards are given out to music's most popular artists. The finalists and winners are determined by their rank on the Billboard charts and their "social and streaming activity."  Grammy-winning hip hop band the Black Eyed Peas are promising a high-energy show packed with hit songs at the halftime performance at the Super Bowl on Sunday.
"Playing at the Super Bowl it seems so surreal," group leader Will.I.Am said on Thursday. "As a kid I would watch halftime shows, watch Super Bowls ... I used to dream to play football until I got a concussion and then didn't want to play football anymore."
The annual Super Bowl is the most viewed TV program in the United States and has a potential viewing audience of over a billion people.
The group's hits, including "Let's Get it Started," "I Gotta Feeling" and "Boom Boom Pow" are staples of sports teams and stadiums around the world, and while Fergie would not reveal which of their hits they would play Sunday she did promise their performance would be packed with energy.
"We do a lot sports anthem type songs," Fergie told a news conference. "We all like to party have a good time.
"My father was a high school and college quarterback and I am a limited owner in the Miami Dolphins, so this is very special for me.
"Sunday football is a serious day in our home."
The multi-ethnic Black Eyed Peas join a list of musical greats who have played the Super Bowl including Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, The Who, Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson, whose wardrobe malfunction at the 2004 Super Bowl caused an uproar.
The notorious incident that saw Jackson's breast bared on stage in front of millions of viewers prompted the National Football League to turn to older, safer acts for their halftime shows.
But after six years of playing it safe, the NFL has decided once again turn to the hip-hop scene injecting a youthful, fresh vibe into the halftime showcase.
"Even though football is an American tradition and an unofficial holiday we're taking football places where it is not part of their culture but this is part of our culture and I am so proud," Will.I.Am. "It's a dream come true for us."
(Editing by Frank Pingue) Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am has teamed up with Intel Corp. to become their new Director of Creative Innovation.
The Grammy Award-winning musician will be assisting with the development of devices including laptops, smart phones and tablets, Intel announced Tuesday at their internal sales and marketing conference.
Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, hopes to gain the attention of younger generations by incorporating both entertainment and technology, according to Deborah Conrad, the company's head of marketing.
Will.i.am will be involved in a multiyear collaboration with the technology giant, which is said to be a hands-on, creative partnership.
Intel's chips currently run more than 80 percent of the world's personal computers.
The Black Eyed Peas have sold 29 million records and have won 6 Grammy Awards.
(Editing by Zorianna Kit  Phoenix Phenom-RashaEntertainment
The immortal words of Tribe Called Quest front-man Q-Tip, "Industry Rule #4,080 Record company people are shady" should be recited every minute one is in the presence of a music executive.
There are numerous incidents of highly ambitious artists sending in music to labels with great expectations and hopes of getting signed only to have the music stolen. The Black Eyed Peas are facing 4 lawsuits for copyright infringement, with George Clinton being the latest to file suit against the multi-platinum group.
LaNisha Rene Spotlight TV and Rasha Entertainment caught up with Chicago-bred artist Phoenix Phenom known as the Queen of Juke to speak about her 2007 song titled, "Boom Dynamite" which The Black Eyed Peas hit song "Boom Boom Pow" derived from.
I noticed that the song is similar to the Black Eyed Peas song called, "Boom Boom Pow". Did you help them write that?
That would be the nice way of saying it. I wish that was the case, but that is not the case. The case is that its copyright infringement and there is a law suit involved right now. The way I found out about it was in The Source Magazine. I will never forget the article, it said, Will the Real Boom Boom Please Stand Up?
That was registered with ASCAP and you did that in 2007.
It was made in 2007 and released in 2008. It was licensed with Universal /Interscope Records. It was also sent to various labels, Jimmy Iovine directly, it was on the radio in the Midwest.
That song really did good for them on the charts.
Not just did good, it made history in 2009 by being the #1 download in itune.
| Posted by news
| Wed, December 01, 2010 at 12:03 AM |
 
Buy "The Time (Dirty Bit)" on iTunes
THE BLACK EYED PEAS' NEW ALBUM — THE BEGINNING — OUT NOW ON INTERSCOPE RECORDS
MULTI-PLATINUM GROUP TO PERFORM DURING THE BRIDGESTONE SUPER BOWL XLV HALF-TIME SHOW ON FOX ON FEBRUARY 6TH, 2011
FANS WHO PURCHASE THE ALBUM CAN INSTANTLY WIN A CHANCE TO BE THE BLACK EYED PEAS' SPECIAL GUEST AT THE SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW
Santa Monica, CA — Six-time Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artists The Black Eyed Peas release their sixth album, The Beginning, on Interscope Records. "The Time (Dirty Bit)," the first single from The Beginning, went straight to No. 1 on iTunes in 11 countries, including Canada, Australia, France, Germany, and Mexico.
The Black Eyed Peas performed, "The Time (Dirty Bit)," at the 2010 American Music Awards, where they took home the award for "Favorite Pop Rock Band/Duo/Group." Oprah Winfrey invited the group to perform on her "Ultimate Favorite Things" episode on November 19th, calling them "my favorite group and one of my favorite things." Entertainment Weekly raves, "Every song is piled high with slick hip-hop rhythms, and bright synch parts...all furthering the goal of maximum catchiness." "They've succeeded at keeping the good times rolling yet again."
The Black Eyed Peas will perform during The Bridgestone Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show on FOX at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas on Sunday, February 6th, 2011. They join an esteemed list of artists —The Who, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Prince, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and U2 — who've performed during the show, which is the most-watched musical event of the year. More than 153 million viewers in the U.S. alone watched last year's telecast.
Those who buy The Beginning can win a chance to be the group's special guest at the Bridgestone Halftime Show in Dallas. See official rules at: www.BlackEyedPeas.com/TheBigWinning.
The Beginning is the follow-up to The Black Eyed Peas' blockbuster album The E.N.D., which has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide while spending 52 weeks on the Billboard Top 200 chart. It is also the first album in two decades by a duo or group to yield five Top 10 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, including the No. 1 hits "Boom Boom Pow," "I Gotta Feeling" (which is the best-selling digital song in SoundScan history), and "Imma Be," as well as the Top 10's "Meet Me Halfway" and "Rock That Body." The quartet, comprised of will.i.am, Fergie, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, has logged more than 300 headline tour dates in 29 countries with more than 2.2 million tickets sold.
LOS ANGELES – Winners of the 38th annual American Music Awards, presented Sunday:
• Soul/R&B Album: Usher, "Raymond v. Raymond."
• Soul/R&B Female Artist: Rihanna.
• Soul/R&B Male Artist: Usher.
• Pop/Rock Album: Justin Bieber, "My World 2.0."
• Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group: The Black Eyed Peas.
• Pop/Rock Female Artist: Lady Gaga.
• Pop/Rock Male Artist: Justin Bieber.
• Rap/Hip-Hop Album: Eminem, "Recovery."
• Rap/Hip-Hop Male Artist: Eminem.
• Country Band, Duo or Group: Lady Antebellum.
• Country Album: Carrie Underwood, "Play On."
• Country Female Artist: Taylor Swift.
• Country Male Artist: Brad Paisley.
• Contemporary Inspirational Artist: MercyMe.
• Soundtrack: "Glee: The Music, Volume 3 — Showstoppers."
• Latin Music Artist: Shakira.
• Alternative Rock Artist: Muse.
• Adult Contemporary Artist: Michael Buble.
• Breakthrough Artist: Justin Bieber.
• Artist of the Year: Justin Bieber.
___
Online:
http://abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards ST. PAUL, Minn. – An autopsy finds that the Minnesota rapper known as Eyedea died of an accidental overdose.
The Ramsey County medical examiner's office says Michael Larsen died from opiate toxicity.
Larsen was found dead in his St. Paul apartment on Oct. 16. He was 28.
Don Gorrie, the medical examiner's chief investigator, says the death certificate was filed Wednesday. Gorrie tells the St. Paul Pioneer Press the specific drugs found in Larsen's system are not public information.
Larsen and childhood friend Max Keltgen recorded three albums as Eyedea and Abilities on Minneapolis hip-hop group Atmosphere's label, Rhymesayers Entertainment. Eyedea and Abilities performed with the group in the late 1990s.
___
Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press, http://www.twincities.com
| |
