May 26, 2006
By Tammy O'Reilly
THE Black Eyed Peas are finally here, and by the sound of things they're as hyped-up as their fans over this weekend's concert.
As one of the most popular hip-hop acts in the world, the quartet are serious about their social responsibility. On Sunday, 28 May, they are hosting their first benefit concert in Johannesburg.
The concert is the first major philanthropic endeavour for the Peapod Foundation, founded by the Black Eyed Peas and the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
Tickets have been distributed to people who ordinarily would not be able to pay for them via newspaper campaigns and handouts at taxi ranks and informal settlements.
Die-hard fans were given the opportunity to buy tickets via an SMS campaign on 26 April. All 20 000 tickets were snapped up within a few hours. To get a ticket, an individual had to send an SMS to the organisers, at a cost of R10.
The funds raised go to the Adopt-A-School Programme, an NGO project that identifies schools in need and approaches businesses and individuals to adopt them and donate funds.
It's the second time the group are performing in the country. The first was in 2004 as part of the 10 Years of Democracy celebrations, when they promised to return to give a free show.
"I was in Cape Town, staying at a beautiful, luxurious hotel. Nearby was a golf course, but just two miles down the road people were living in shanty homes," said Will.i.am of The Peas. "It really broke my heart. This is our way of saying that we care."
A handful of South Africa's own talent will be represented on the same bill. Pop trio Malaika, hip-hop crew Skwatta Kama, the energetic Lebo Mathosa and kwaito star Kabelo are also donating their time and talents.
"We recognise and appreciate that we are who we are because of the people," said Lebo Motive of Skwatta Kamp. "When we have the chance to give back to the community we are only too willing to do so.
"We are happy that the Black Eyed Peas took the initiative to do a benefit concert in South Africa and that money spent in this country is put back into this country."
The concert at the Johannesburg Stadium begins at 2pm but no tickets will be available at the door.
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