BLACK EYED PEAS - MARLEY WIDOW: 'BOB WOULD HAVE LOVED THE BLACK EYED PEAS'

THE BLACK EYED PEAS have been given a major endorsement following a charity trip to Africa - BOB MARLEY's widow RITA insists the reggae legend would have been a big fan of their music and charity work. Rita joined the group during their weekend (26-28MAY06) trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, where they performed a free concert for fans, and was very impressed with them and their Peapod Foundation initiatives. Marley, who performed with The Black Eyed Peas last summer at the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, tells Billboard.com, "I admire this group so much. Kids these days need messages with their music and that is what The Black Eyed Peas give. "I fully endorse what the Peapod Foundation is doing because it is about making dreams into a reality, and utilising the power of music to do that. If Bob were physically alive now, he would also support the initiative." Black Eyed Pea FERGIE took time out of her schedule to visit Johannesburg orphanages with Marley. The Peas' South African trip marked the launch of the first international arm of the Peapod Foundation. The charity aims to work to improve the conditions of schools in South Africa.