Cee Lo Green, Jason DeRulo, Sean Kingston joined them for the gig.
By Gil Kaufman

The Black Eyed Peas had a lot to be thankful for on Thursday, namely, a major break from nearly non-stop touring and recording. The multiplatinum group announced before their show on Wednesday night at Miami's Sun Life Stadium that they were going on indefinite hiatus to work on other projects.

"Tonight is our graduation. It's a very special night for all of us," singer Fergie announced at the gig. "We're so thankful to be sharing this night together." The band didn't go into the good night all alone, though, as they packed the show with appearances from a number of pals, including T-Pain, Sean Kingston, Cee Lo Green, Jason DeRulo and Queen Latifah.

The past 10 months have been action packed for the hip-pop act, as they played the Super Bowl halftime show
 in February, recorded a video for Japanese tsunami relief in March and played the iHeartRadio Festival in July. They were slated to perform at the Michael Jackson Forever tribute concert
 in Cardiff, Wales, last month, but scratched at the last minute due to "unavoidable circumstances."

They made it official with an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Wednesday morning, during which Will said that they "always have two cycles of records and then we take a break." He explained that the quartet has lasted this long because they often take breaks to work on solo projects and get their personal lives in order and then come back and "make beautiful music."

It's not like the Peas will be off the map entirely after three years of touring in support of The Beginning and The E.N.D. will.i.am just released a new single from his upcoming solo album, #willpower, featuring Jennifer Lopez and Mick Jagger, entitled "T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)." Taboo plans to spend more time with his family and promote his book, "Falling Up," while apl.de.ap will reportedly focus on being an education ambassador in the Philippines and Fergie will do more solo recording and perhaps start a family.Related Artists

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Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and many others will also participate in the Jamie Foxx-hosted show on October 8.
By Gil Kaufman

As the October 8 date approaches, the Michael Forever tribute concert in Cardiff, Wales, in honor of late pop icon Michael Jackson has added two more headliners. On Friday (September 23), the Black Eyed Peas joined a lineup that is also slated to feature performances by Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Leona Lewis, Ne-Yo, Craig David, Pixie Lott, Alexandra Burke, Alien Ant Farm and Motown legend Smokey Robinson.

The show, which is being presented by Jackson's mother, Katherine, along with some but not all of the King of Pop's siblings (and without the sanction of his estate), will be hosted by Oscar winner Jamie Foxx. Pregnant pop queen Beyoncé will appear in some form at the show via a pre-taped satellite segment.

A press release also announced that Oscar-winning singer Jennifer Hudson has been added to the lineup as well.

In a statement, Peas co-founder will.i.am — who spent time in the studio with Jackson prior to the singer's June 2009 death — said of his band's participation, "This show is going to be an incredibly personal and moving evening for me. Remember that Michael's music, his great, great songs, have been an inspiration to my whole life and certainly formed the soundtrack to my childhood. When I was a little kid of six or seven growing up in Los Angeles, there was Michael recording Thriller, and all his early hits, just a few miles away across town — obviously I didn't know him at that time, but I loved him as a fan."

One of the members of the original Jackson Five, sibling Marlon Jackson, will be on hand, and he expressed his excitement about the addition of the Peas. "We're all really delighted and touched that the Black Eyed Peas are able to come and take part " he said. "My brother rated Will.i.am and the original things he does in music very highly. I guess you could say it was a case of mutual respect."

Some members of the Jackson family, including siblings Janet, Jermaine and Randy, have complained about the timing of the show, which will take place in the midst of the manslaughter trial of Jackson's physician Dr. Conrad Murray.Related Photos

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Nas, Cee Lo, Jack Black, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and more remember the Beastie Boys' MCA.
By Jocelyn Vena

Soon after news broke of Beastie Boys rapperAdam Yauch's death following a three-year long battle with cancer, A-listers from the world of hip-hop and elsewhere in the music industry began flooding Twitter with their memories of the influential MC.

Eminem noted the impact MCA and the Beasties had on his career. "Adam Yauch brought a lot of positivity into the world and I think it's obvious to anyone how big of an influence the Beastie Boys were on me and so many others," Em said in a statement to MTV News. "They are trailblazers and pioneers and Adam will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, Mike D., and Ad-Rock.

Nas — who worked with the group on the track "Too Many Rappers," which eventually appeared on the band's last album, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two — opened up about recording with the legends to MTV News. "One of my greatest moments in music was when I worked with the Beastie Boys. ... Now today I'm hearing our brother is gone. I prayed this would not happen. MCA was so cool, man. We had great talks about what it was like for them in the beginning, getting into the rap game. I'll never forget that experience for the rest of my life. MCA is a true legend who influenced me. God bless his soul and his loved ones."

Jack Black, who made a cameo in Yauch's "Fight for Your Right Revisited" film in 2011, told MTV News in a statement: "Adam made amazing artwork until the very end and he was a genuinely sweet guy. He will be sorely missed."

With the world mourning the loss of MCA, many of his musical contemporaries are still reeling from the news. "Lollapalooza94 talked to Yauch almost everyday," Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong recalled. "He was full of wisdom & encouragement for a freaked out kid like I was. Thank you MCA. LoveBJ."

Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello wrote, "Rip dear Adam Yauch. Words can't express the sadness and loss. Ur humor, talent & gentle soul are just irreplaceable. Be at peace brother."

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea opened up about the man behind the music: "Prayers and all the love I could ever muster for Adam Yauch. What a beautiful man. God bless his beautiful soul. A class act all the way."

Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz noted his influence over his own career, tweeting, "beastie boys paved the way for so many who came after. #RIPMCA"

"This news hits hard," Good Charlotte's Benji Madden tweeted, mirroring Wentz's sentiment. "The Beastie Boys are 1of the reasons I do music&MCA was the captain."

Black Eyed Peas mastermind will.i.am, tweeted, "#restinpeaceMCA 1 of my favorite hiphop groups. hiphop raised a lot of us & now we have to wake up because are hero's are dying too young."

Cee Lo Green added, "Now playing: something's got to give: BEASTIE BOYS R.I.P. M.C.A. One of the best hip-hop groups of all time!much."

Lenny Kravitz recalled one of the group's biggest songs on Twitter while remembering the rapper: "Rest in peace MCA. You are a legend. No sleep 'till Brooklyn. Lenny."

"We are so sorry to hear about the loss of the Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch (MCA) a true legend & inspirational to everyone in weezers generation," Weezer said of the late, great MC.

Music producer Diplo was sitting in what used to be the Beasties' recording home, G-Son Studios, when the news broke. "Mca Adam Yauch RIP... Im sittin in the former g son studios," Dip wrote . "Flying the flag half mast today.... Rap/punk hero, philanthropist, legend."

Tune in to MTV tonight at 8 p.m. for "Adam Yauch: Remembering a Beastie Boy," an hour-long special hosted by Sway celebrating the life and career of Adam "MCA" Yauch, including his biggest moments and remembrances from his friends and peers. Share your memories of Adam on Twitter using the hashtag #RIPMCA.Related Videos

• Adam Yauch: Remembering A Beastie Boy
• Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch: 1964-2012

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