Black Eyed Peas Announce Las Vegas Residency Featuring New AI-Powered ‘Member’

Black Eyed Peas are set to launch their 3008 The Las Vegas Residency early next year at PH Live. The group will have a new “member” in tow for the 15-show run spanning February 15 – May 31, an AI called Vida.

Vida will join Will.i.am, Apple de Ap, Taboo and J. Rey Soul, the latter joining Black Eyed Peas in 2018 following Fergie’s departure.

“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. told USA Today. “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.”

Will.i.am further detailed Vida’s role and distinguished it from 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. 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, stagehands, 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.”

Additionally, Will.i.am commented on how he drew inspiration for the residency from Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour after seeing a concert in Milan.

“I was blown away,” he said. “I haven’t been this inspired in so (expletive) long. That’s when I said, I need to start dreaming and go to work. What cues can we take from Empress Swift when we approach our Vegas show? That camera (stuff) she has? I’ve never seen a group or artist do that. I’ve seen a network do it and the Super Bowl do it. I’m watching the most awesome theatrical pop culture film at a show. Of course she’s talented, but she gives you all this emotion in that format. It’s flawless execution.”

Various presales for The Black Eyed Peas: 3008 The Las Vegas Residency are underway. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday, September 14 at 10 a.m. ET/ 7 a.m. PT.