Black Eyed Peas is an American hip-hop group from Los Angeles, which, since 1998, has begun to conquer the hearts of listeners around the world with its hits.
It is thanks to their inventive approach to hip-hop music, inspiring people with free rhymes, positive attitude and fun atmosphere, that they have earned fans around the globe. And the third album, Elephunk, is so piercing with its rhythm that it is impossible to stop listening to it.
Black Eyed Peas: how did it all start?
The history of the group begins in 1989 with the meeting of Will.I.Am and Apl.de.Ap, who were still in high school. Realizing that they have common visions about music, the guys decided to join forces to create their own duet. They soon began rapping in various bars and clubs in LA, calling their duo Atbam Klann.
A few years later, in 1992, the musicians signed a contract with Eazy-E, who is the head of the Ruthless Records label. But, unfortunately, they never managed to release any of their albums with him. The contract remained in effect until the death of Eazy-Z, who died in 1994 of AIDS.
In 1995, former Grassroots member Taboo joined Atbam Klann. Since the group is now in a new lineup, they decided to come up with a new name, and so the Black Eyed Peas turned out and soon the newly minted trio received a new contract, now with Interscope Records.
And so, in 1998, they released their debut album Behind the Front, which received good reviews from critics. Then came the next album in the 2000s - Bridging the Gap.
And then their most breakthrough album, Elephunk, which was introduced in 2003 with a new vocalist named Fergie, born Stacey Ferguson, who was formerly in the popular pop group Wild Orchid. She became a replacement for background singer Kim Hill, who left the group in 2000.
Album "ELEPHUNK"
"Elephunk" included the anti-war anthem Where Is The Love?, which became their first major hit, peaking at number 8 on the US Hot 100. It also topped the charts almost everywhere, including the UK, where it was #1 for about six weeks. on the music charts and became the best-selling single of 2003.
It was when this hit was just emerging that the idea to record this song together with Justin Timberlake came up. Having heard the demo material, Will.I.Am called Justin and let him listen to the song over the phone. “I remember that as soon as I caught this music and these words,” recalls Timb, “the melody was immediately born in my head!”
But BEP's had to face a small problem. Timberlake's management banned the group from using the star's name and filming it for the video for this song. But the song turned out to be so cool that even without any advertising it sunk into the souls of millions of listeners.
After that, success hit them! They quickly became the opening act for Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake. Even then it was clear to everyone that the Black Eyed Peas are considered the best live band that plays in the style of hip-hop. The guys began to be invited to perform at the most prestigious music awards ceremonies (MTV European Music Awards, Brit Awards, Grammy, etc.).
Also popular were songs like "Hands Up," with its fast rap, and the Louis Armstrong growl "Smells Like Funk." The band is very unique, not afraid to show off new styles, try new sounds for the rhythm, and combine it all with cool lyrics.
Will.I.Am's talent lies in his ability to combine live instruments, samples and drum machines into a single sound. He has always had a broad musical stance and Elephunk shows this more than ever.
Black Aid Peace activities
Monkey Business, the band's fourth album, was recorded while the band was touring for Elephunk. This album was something of a therapy for the whole group, it rallied and made the members even stronger.
It was the first album the quartet had written and engineered together. The songs reflect deeper, more mature themes that make you think. Timberlake reappeared on the album with the song "My Style".
Singers Sting, Jack Johnson, and James Brown also contributed to the album. The song "Don't Phunk With My Heart" reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, their highest charting song in the U.S. to date. The album itself debuted at #2 on the Billboard chart.
In 2005, the Black Eyed Peas received the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance for "Let's Get It Started". In a well-known newspaper publisher, will.i.am shared, “I think it's just that we're just having fun with music that's the reason why everything works out.
We love music, we love melodies, and we don't try to be different from the average fan of our music. It's really that simple."
In addition to creating something unique in music, the band members take part in many projects. In 2004, during a concert tour in Asia, a story from the life of apl. de.ap's was dubbed on TV screens.
A drama special titled "Do You Think You Can Remember?" was released. (Do You Think You Can Remember?), where the protagonist looked at his childhood as a poor family in the Philippines, his adoption and moving to the United States.
In addition, he worked on an album with raps in Tagalog and English. Fergie was working on her own solo album which was in the works before she joined the band.
In Los Angeles, Taboo started a martial arts and break dancing after school program, and was also working on his solo album, which mixed Spanish and English rap with reggaeton. Will.i.am has been developing a clothing line and releasing albums for other artists.
After the 2004 Asian tsunami, he organized charitable relief and traveled to parts of Malaysia to help rebuild the homes of the victims. They did not just talk about how to make the world a better place, but they tried in every possible way to influence it, to help those who need it.
It is expected that this trend will continue and that music-hungry fans will also catch the wave of good and follow this path.
Rhythmic music and breakdancing are an integral part of hip-hop culture, but in the 90s these elements were temporarily clouded by the hardcore gangster vision and dark but compelling lyrics of west coast bands such as NWA. However, despite all this, the Black Eyed Peas managed to break through. and break into the music world with your head held high!
Interesting facts about Black Eye Peace
• Will.i.am and his three brothers were fully raised by their mother as his father left the family. Therefore, he does not say anything about his father, he has never even met him.
• William began his musical career when he was still in the 8th grade.
• William changed the band's name to the Black Eyed Pods and then in 1997 to the Black Eyed Peas, which at the time consisted of will.i.am, aple.de.ap and Taboo.
• The band released their second album Bridging the Gap in 2000 and the single "Request + Line" with Macy Gray became their first entry on the Billboards Hot 100.
• Will suggested that the group needed special girls. Consequently, when Fergie appeared, she was signed as a permanent member of the group after replacing Nicole Scherzinger. The songs 'Shut Up' and 'My Humps' from 'Elephunk' with her voice went viral.
• They then released three albums, Monkey Business (2005), The End (2009), and The Beginning (2010). Monkey Business was certified triple platinum by the RIAA and has sold over 10 million copies to date.
• William's album #willpower peaked at #3 on the UK charts and was certified Gold (BPI) and Platinum (RMNZ). The single THE (The Hardest Ever) featuring Jennifer Lopez and Mick Jagger peaked at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• Will.i.am is a humanitarian whose I.Am.Angel Foundation helps train youth from disadvantaged communities to enable them to compete for better jobs in the future. His I.Am Steam initiative includes robotics, 3D Experience Labs, and ArcGIS software.
• Fergie is a successful solo artist. Her debut album The Dutchess was released in September 2006 and went triple platinum in the US. And soon she left the group.
