Cover your ears and avert your eyes: Black Eyed Peas dude will.i.am has made the bold statement that tween dream Justin Bieber could have a career that rivals that of the late Michael Jackson.
(Pause for laughter…)
When he isn’t feuding with opinionated celeb-gawkers or courting controversy by appearing in public in Blackface (Tre’Tacky!), Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am kicks back with his other favorite pastime — sing-a-longs with preschoolers! The musician who has worked with everyone from Nicole Scherzinger to the iconic Michael Jackson is adding a new group of noted collaborators to his resume: The residents of Sesame Street.
Check out Will’s video “What I Am” — the hitmaker’s first effort with Big Bird & Co.
Cute overload!
Another year, another controversy for MTV’s VIDEO Music Awards…albeit a small one. Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.Am is stirring up a bit of drah-mah after he kicked off Sunday’s VMA Pre-Show — alongside a Rainbow Brite — er — we mean Nicki Minaj — in full Blackface.
The pair performed their duet “Check It Out” as Will took “all black everything” to new heights, wearing black from head to toe — literally. The fashion industry has been raked over the coals in recent months for adorning White models in historically offensive black paint. Blackface — which first gained popularity during the 19th century — typically promotes racist stereotypes toward African Americans. Even ’90s-era catwalker Claudia Schiffer took a verbal beating in the court of public opinion after she celebrated Black beauty by fitting herself with a wig and Blackface. But is the act still offensive — even racist — when a person of color participates? Perhaps it’s just poor taste?
In addition to his face paint, Will wore head-to-toe black…complete with shiny hair piece. The musician — an African-American (obviously) — quickly hit his Twitter page Sunday to downplay the brewing debate over his choice of costume.
Hey Crunchers: Just a quick reminder that tonight we are celebrating the year’s best in music at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards! With leading nominations from Lady Gaga (13) and Eminem (8), the 27th annnual VMAs are being hosted by Chelsea Handler and airing live from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles tonight, Sept. 12! The awards will include performances by: B.o.B, Bruno Mars, Florence & The Machine, Eminem, Usher, Kanye West, Drake, Justin Bieber, Jay-Z, and many more.
In the meantime, check out this pre-show opener from femcee Nicki Minaj and Will.i.Am “Your Love” and “Check It Out.”
In November, Sony Music will release a posthumous album of unreleased material from music icon Michael Jackson. However, one of the King of Pop’s trusted pals in the last days of his life –Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am — says the LP equals exploitation.