LA rap group Black Eyed Peas, rocked the Dubai Expo 2020 Al Wasl Pavillion. ( (Photo by Christophe Viseux/Expo 2020 Dubai)
The Black Eyed Peas, led by rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo were showcased at Dubai Expo 2020 Infinite Nights Series, a “world exposition” focused on “opportunity, mobility and sustainability.”
The group (sans Fergie Duhamel) rocked Dubai’s Al Wasl Plaza on Tuesday evening (Jan. 25). The group headlined the fourth show in Expo 2020 Dubai’s six month series.
The Los Angeles trio was joined by J. Rey Soul (real name Jessica Reynoso), who replaced Fergie, now a solo-performing artist, in 2018. But the group lost none of its punch.
THey kicked off the show with standards like “Let’s Get It Started,” “Boom Boom Pow,” “Mamacita” and “Pump It to Girl Like Me,” “#thatPOWER” and “Scream & Shout.”
Their final song, “I Gotta Feeling,” electrified the audience, which sang along in a rousing chorus.
Expo 2020 officially opened in September a year ago. The exposition was delayed due to a COVID-19, but organizers chose to keep the the Expo 2020 name to maintain consistent branding.
It was originally scheduled to run from Oct. 20, 2020 through April, 10, 2021. The World Expo will run through the end of March.
The opening ceremony featured performances by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli (“The Prayer”) and Emirati singer-composer, Hussain Al Jassmi, Mayssa Karaa and Almas singing the Expo’s theme song, “This Is Our Time”,
British singer Ellie Goulding (“Anything Could Happen”), Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo and Saudi singer Mohammed Abdu (a duet of John Legend’s “If You’re Out There”), American singer Andra Day (“Rise Up”) and Chinese pianist Lang Lang among others.
The opening declaration was made by the Emir of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Dubai and the United Arab Emirates apparently spared no expense to host the Expo.
The theme, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” features three subthemes: opportunity, mobility and sustainability,
Each theme was featured in its own pavilion designed by renowned architects.
The “Mission Possible – The Opportunity” pavilion is designed by AGi Architects
“Alif” – The Mobility Pavilion– was designed by Foster and Partners and “Terra”- the Sustainability Pavilion was crated by Grimshaw Architects.
Of significance, the UAE in 2019 permitted Israeli passport holders to enter the country during Expo 2020.
Israelis were allowed to have their own pavilion at the event and to even visit the country afterwards. In August 2020, the UAE and Israel agreed to fully normalize relations, superseding the previous agreement.
The Expo is expected to draw more than 25 million visitors.
Check out the photos below:
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