.

Will.i.am Organizing Concert in China for State Department

Show is intended to promote cultural exchanges between China and U.S.

Comment
By 
August 1, 2011 1:15 PM ET
will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas
will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas
C Brandon/Redferns/Getty Images

The State Department has drafted the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am to organize a concert in Beijing later this year intended to encourage cultural and educational exchanges between China and the United States. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with the rapper on Friday to discuss the project, which is part of the Obama administration's 100,000 Strong Initiative, a program developed to increase the number of Americans studying abroad in China.

Photos: Black Eyed Peas and More at Super Bowl XLV

So far, no date or location has been announced for the concert. Though will.i.am is likely to perform at the concert along with the Black Eyed Peas, no American or Chinese artists have been officially announced for the show as of yet.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

prev
Stevie Wonder Surprises Crowd at Drake's OVO Fest With Half-Hour Set
Music Main Next
Exclusive Listen: Rachael Yamagata Shifts Into Brighter Gear on 'Starlight'

Picks From Around the Web


blog comments powered by Disqus
Daily Newsletter

Get the latest RS news in your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Rolling Stone newsletter and special offers from RS and its
marketing partners.

X

We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Rolling Stone and its partners. For more information please read our Privacy Policy.

Most Popular

Photos & Videos

Go To Content

Random Notes: Hottest Rock Pictures

Go To Content Play Video

Video: Stefon's Wedding Marks Hader's Last 'SNL'

Go To Content

Gallery: Ray Manzarek Through the Years

Best Ever Lists
500 Greatest Songs of All Time

Other Lists

Song Stories

“Is It True”

Brenda Lee | 1964

As the British Invasion reached its peak in 1964, Brenda Lee went from Nashville to London to record one of her hardest-rocking hits, her perky vocal backed by a stuttering, squalling guitar. That guitar was played by session musician Jimmy Page, yet to skyrocket to fame with first the Yardbirds and then Led Zeppelin. "She said to me, 'I've come here to make a record with the British sound,'" remembered producer Mickie Most. "She felt she wouldn't get the same sound in Nashville because they're only just catching up on the British beat group sound of about six months ago."

More Song Stories entries »