Will.i.am's Transformation from Skeptic to Swiftie
Will.i.am's Initial Doubts
During a recent visit to SiriusXM's Miami studios, the 49-year-old shared his initial reservations about Taylor Swift's show. While in Italy, he heard people around him raving about it. "I'm like, 'Everybody's talking about that Taylor Swift show.' I'm like, 'And they're really, like, hyping it. Like, how dope can it actually be? Like, it's just a show,'" he said. He couldn't fathom how a concert could be that extraordinary. But the constant praise made him skeptical. "But people were, like, really, like, praising it — [like it’s] the greatest thing to happen. So, I was, like, when people [praise] stuff that much, there’s no way that it’s that dope. It’s impossible. And so I was like, 'All right, let me go check this out.'"He went to the Taylor Swift show with heavy skeptics' goggles on, thinking it was just another concert. "I went to Taylor Swift, like, with super heavy skeptics goggles on. Like, ’cause everybody’s like, ‘Yo, it’s changing the economy,’ " he shared. "I’m like, ‘Let me go be the judge of that.’ "
The Surprising Review
When asked for his review, Will.i.am was all praise. "I left like, 'Yo, we definitely doing Vegas. Let’s do it.' Because I got pumped. I haven’t been that inspired. I don’t know when’s the last time I was inspired to be like, 'Yo, oh, bro let’s imagination together,'" he said. The show was "the best s— in the world… That’s my review. The best bro."This profound experience inspired him to say yes to a Las Vegas residency with the Black Eyed Peas. He called their management and said, "Yo, that Vegas offer still there? Say yes to it… I just came from [the] Taylor Swift show and we’re gonna do it." He's been energized and inspired ever since.
The Vegas Residency Announcement
In September, the "Boom Boom Pow" group announced their headlining the Black Eyed Peas: 3008 The Las Vegas Residency at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino starting in February 2025.Will.i.am said in a statement at the time, "Our first residency in Las Vegas gives Black Eyed Peas the opportunity to do what we do best, to dream up something brand new and creative that pushes the boundaries of the live show experience. We draw inspiration from Disney rides, Las Vegas shows, concerts, AI and technology. We will reinvent how we perform, creating an interactive show, a journey to 3008 that is both a concert and play."
The Addition of Vida
While speaking to Mack and Jen, Will.i.am revealed that in addition to longtime members apl.de.ap and Taboo, the group will welcome a new addition, Vida — "an AI member of the group."This unique addition is set to bring a new dimension to their Vegas residency and further enhance the live show experience.