Black Eyed Peas & Alicia Keys Hit American Idol

A host of stars have performed on the ‘Idol Gives Back’ episode of American Idol. Each year the massive show turns telethon to raise money with the help of some big name guests. First up last night were the President and First Lady themselves in a video message. Barack said: “American Idol has always been about changing lives, on the stage and around the world. “That's why Michelle and I want to take a moment to thank everyone watching tonight for your continued generosity as part of 'Idol Gives Back.'” Black Eyed Peas eas followed the Pres’ by performing Rock Your Body before mentor of the week Alicia Keys played her Empire State Of Mind 2 song and Un-Thinkable. Joss Stone, Mary J. Blige and Elton John also hit the stage to help raise cash, while video messages came into ‘Idol from stars like Russell Brand, Slash and Jim Carrey. Near the end of the live telethon Simon Cowell told viewers they had raised $15 million for children’s charities, although that amount should rise.

Alicia Keys and Black Eyed Peas to kick off World Cup

Alicia Keys and Black Eyed Peas are to perform at a concert in South Africa that will officially "kick off" this year's World Cup football tournament.
Shakira, John Legend and Angelique Kidjo will also appear at the event, to be held in Johannesburg on 10 June.
The 2010 World Cup begins the following day and runs until 11 July.
Jerome Valcke, of football's governing body Fifa, said the pop concert would be a "testament to the universal and unifying power of football and music".
"We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent raise the curtain on the first Fifa World Cup in Africa."
The concert - the first to be held on the eve of the tournament - will be produced by Emmy award-winner Kevin Wall and his company Control Room.

Hip-hop collective Black Eyed Peas had a hit recently with I Gotta Feeling
The event will also feature musical performances by popular African artist and appearances by past and present football legends.
"2010 will mark the first time the Fifa World Cup will be played in Africa," said Wall.
"So it seemed fitting to celebrate this momentous occasion with a festival of live music from Africa and beyond."
Other artists lined up to appear include Malian duo Amadou & Miriam, South African band the Parlotones and Colombian musician Juanes.
Proceeds will benefit 20 Centres for 2010, an official charity campaign dedicated to building 20 public health centres across Africa.

Black Eyed Peas ‘phunked’ with award blunder

“I gotta feeling, that tonight’s gonna be a good night...”
Well, not every night.

This the Black Eyed Peas learned when they were hurled in an award mix-up at the NRJ Awards in Cannes, France, last Jan. 23.

During the awards, the American pop group was mistakenly announced as the “Best International Group/Duo.” It turned out that the award belongs to German pop rock band Tokio Hotel.

Thankfully nobody from the band was at the ceremonies.
Choreographer Kamel Ouali and “TikTok” singer Ke$ha took to the stage to present the award but were pale-faced when no one picked it up.

Moments later, Kamel went back with Nikos Aliagas, the show’s host, to explain the apparent mistake.

According to Kamel he got confused with the card, which contained the names of both the nominees and the winner. Excited as he was, he called the first name he saw on the card.
Fans weren't satisfied with the explanation and soon, boos echoed inside the Palais des Festivals. Nikos defended the presenter, saying, “It happens!”
Kamel apologized to the audience, but blamed the organizers, reasoning that it could’ve been much simpler and less confusing if they simply put the name of the winner so as not to baffle the presenters.

Tokio Hotel bested other contenders such as U2, Green Day, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, and of course, the BEP for the award.

The Peas did receive an award for “I Gotta Feeling,” which was adjudged “Best International Song.”

This was not the first time a blunder happened at the NRJ Awards: Last year, in the same category, Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl,” was mistakenly declared the winner over the real victor, Rihanna’s “Disturbia.”

Winners of the award show were determined through votes by listeners of NRJ radio and TF1 TV.