00s music legends Black Eyed Peas cancel concerts over ‘current circumstances’
The Black Eyed Peas have been forced to cancel their upcoming Las Vegas residency, weeks before they were due on stage.
The Where Is The Love? stars announced they would be kicking off a string of dates at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino next month, titled Black Eyed Peas: 3008 The Las Vegas Residency.
However, the group, made up of Will.i.am, Apple de Ap, Taboo and J Rey Soul – who joined the fold after Fergie’s departure – confirmed their performances will no longer go ahead as planned.
‘To our dearest Peabodies, it is with a heavy heart that, in light of current circumstances, our Las Vegas shows will not be moving forward as planned,’ a statement on their official Instagram page read.
‘Ticket providers will issue full refunds automatically. Stay tuned for updates on future performances by following us – we can’t wait to see you again.
They did not expand further on the ‘current circumstances’ that led to the cancelation.
The group sent fans into a spin when they announced the Vegas residency at the end of last year, with tickets going on sale in September.
At the time, the Black Eyed Peas shared that the 15-date run will begin on February 15 with a string of performances also in March and May.
Teasing what to expect, it was revealed that the four-piece would be joined by AI presence Vida, with Will.I.Am insisting to USA Today that Vida is ‘not a hologram’.
‘With a hologram, you have to experience it with a hologram projector, so you could only do that when the show is in Vegas,’ he said.
‘When we have an AI member of the Black Eyed Peas, you can engage and communicate 24/7 … our member of the group will be patched into every band member, stage hands and the audience, if they want to engage with her.
‘J Rey will have songs with Vida and Vida will be singing. Taboo and I will be rapping and singing and so will Vida.
‘It’s going to be the most interactive pre, during and post-show experience and if there is a place to have that experience, it’s going to be in Vegas.’
The Black Eyed Peas were formed in 1995, with Will.I.Am, Apl.de.ap and Taboo joined by original singer Kim Hill, before she left the band in 2000.
Fergie then joined the fold two years later, and they shot to superstardom the following year, thanks to their hit, Where Is The Love?
The track, taken from their third album, Elephunk, was the first single to feature Fergie as an official member and soared up the charts around the world, including the UK and Australia.
They went on to drop Shut Up, Let’s Get It Started, Don’t Phunk With My Heart, My Humps, I Gotta Feeling and Boom Boom Pow together over the years.
Fergie then took a backseat from the group before bowing out altogether in 2018, in a bid to focus on her son Axel.
00s music legends Black Eyed Peas cancel concerts over ‘current circumstances’