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MTV VMAs: Viewers scarred by bizarre Black Eyed Peas performance

Some viewers were confused by the group’s choice of costume for the performance

Roisin O'Connor
Monday 31 August 2020 09:40 BST
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Black Eyed Peas perform at the MTV VMAs

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There were some fantastic moments at the virtual MTV VMAs this year, and some perturbing ones.

The Black Eyed Peas raised eyebrows with their performance, which involved luminous crotches and a giant spaceship.

During the rendition of the song “Vida Loca,”, apl.de.ap, will.i.am and Taboo appeared in outfits that glowed in... certain areas.

The song includes lyrics such as: “Judging me’s a no, no (ah)/ If you scroll through my photo/ I do not live in slow mo (ah)/ I live my life in turbo.”

After the first track, the group – who were accompanied by singer J Rey Soul – performed their hit 2009 song “I Gotta Feeling”.

“With ALL the good music that came out this year, the VMAs has the Black Eyed Peas closing out the show with “I Gotta Feeling”. 2020 man,” tweeted journalist Dani Kwateng.

“Please all I asked for was the old black eyed peas not to see their dicks shining,” another viewer wrote.

Others commented that the group “aren’t the same” since singer Fergie left.

Watch the performance below:

Before closing the show, will.i.am shouted out: “Wanna send love to the first responders and the freedom fighters. Wakanda forever. Black Lives Matter.”

“Wakanda Forever” is a reference to the Marvel film Black Panther, paying tribute to late actor Chadwick Boseman, who died last week aged 43.

Also on the night, Lady Gaga scooped five awards, including the newly introduced Tricon prize, and performed a medley of songs from her 2020 album, Chromatica.

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