Black Eyed Peas have announced that when they head to Las Vegas in 2025 for their first residency in the city, they will introduce a new member inspired by Taylor Swift.
Joining Will.i.am, Apple de Ap, Taboo, and J. Rey Soul will be Vida, an artificial intelligence presence “programmed to simulate human experience.”
“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 also discussed how T. Swift’s The Eras Tour inspired Vida.
He said he expected that the hype would be more powerful than the show, but was pleasantly surprised.
“I was blown away. I haven’t been this inspired in so (expletive) long. That’s when I said, I need to start dreaming and go to work,” he said. “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.”
The bandleader also explained Vida’s role in the live performances. “J. Rey will have songs with Vida and Vida will be singing. Taboo and I will be rapping and singing and so will Vida,” he explained. “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.”
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