Blacked Eyed Peas pay it forward with NY academy for youngsters

Black Eyed Peas to open New York music academy

The Black Eyed Peas have reached the pinnacle of success with their chart-topping hits and huge album sales, and now the group wants young artists to follow in their footsteps.

Winners of six Grammys so far, the hip-hop quartet said Tuesday that they will be opening a Peapod Adobe Youth Voices school in Manhattan. The Peapod Foundation, the Black Eyed Peas' charity arm, will partner once again with Adobe Systems Inc.'s Adobe Foundation for the project.

The two foundations have already established three academies in Oakland, Redwood City and Los Angeles, all in California.

"Our passion for music and media was fueled by many generous people on our road to success," rapper Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas said in a statement. "Expanding the network of Peapod Adobe Youth Voices academies enables us to pay it forward, giving more youth the skills and encouragement they need to realize their dreams."

Youngsters 13-19 years of age will start attending music and multimedia classes in the Manhattan academy in July. Low-income students will be the main target group to be taught in a center being managed by Urban Arts Partnership in New York. They will be enrolling in editing, camera work, graphic design and music courses. Admission to the school set up by the Black Eyed Peas is partly based on recommendations by teachers as well as interest and some aptitude to a particular subject area.

The sponsors of the new academy are busy continuing their success. "Just Can't Get Enough", the second single of their latest album "The Beginning", was released on February 16, 2011 by the Black Eyed Peas.

Posted by Kade Quinn on Wednesday April 20 2011, 5:02 AM EST. Ref: Inquirer. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Entertainment, Featured News. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0