The Black Eyed Peas will no longer be performing in Las Vegas. On Sunday, January 19, the iconic multi-platinum group announced via Instagram Stories that their Las Vegas residency would be canceled due to “current circumstances.”
The message began with, “To our dearest Peabodies, it is with a heavy heart that, in light of current circumstances, our Las Vegas shows will not be going forward as planned.”
The group also shared, “Ticket providers will automatically issue full refunds. Stay tuned for future performance updates by following us — we can’t wait to see you again.”
In September 2024, the Black Eyed Peas had revealed their first-ever residency on the Las Vegas Strip. Named “Black Eyed Peas: 3008 The Las Vegas Residency,” the concerts were scheduled to be held at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in February.
Will.i.am had expressed his excitement at the time, saying, “Our first residency in Las Vegas gives Black Eyed Peas the opportunity to do what we do best — dream up something new and creative that pushes the boundaries of the live show experience.”
The hip-hop group had planned to perform 15 dates throughout February, March, and May.
In addition to Will.i.am, Apple de Ap, Taboo, and J. Rey Soul (who joined the group in 2018 after Fergie’s departure), it was also announced that an artificial intelligence entity named “Vida” would be the latest addition to the band.
“We predicted this in 2009 with ‘The E.N.D.’ album and the avatar personality in the video and the character on our album cover,” Will.i.am shared in a September 2024 interview.
“When I was running around the projects as a kid in L.A. and Apple was running around in the Philippines, to think that we would have the first AI member of a globally recognized urban pop-hip-hop group… man.”
In August 2024, the group members Apl.de.Ap, Will.i.am, and Taboo were spotted together at an event.
Will.i.am also clarified that “Vida” would not be a “hologram.” He explained, “With a hologram, you need a hologram projector, so you can only experience it when the show is in Vegas.
But with an AI member of the Black Eyed Peas, you can interact and engage 24/7… our AI member will be connected to every band member, stagehands, and the audience, if they want to communicate with her.”