The History of The Black Eyed Peas

Formation

The Black Eyed Peas formed in 1995 in Los Angeles, California. Founding members William Adams, now known as will.i.am., and Allan Pineda, now known as apl.de.ap., had previously been in a hip hop trio together called Atban Klann. However, in the mid-1990s, they changed the group’s name and added Jaime Gomez, now known as Taboo, and Kim Hill, to The Black Eyed Peas line-up.

Debut

Their 1998 debut, Behind the Front, was critically acclaimed for its alternative sound and use of a live band, unlike other hip hop acts of the period. The album contained songs such as, “Head Bobs,” which was accompanied by the band’s first music video and “Joints and Jam,” which went on to appear on the soundtrack to the movie, “Bulworth.”

Record Number Two

Up next was their sophomore album, Bridging the Gap, which came out in 2000. The record itself didn’t do that well on the charts, though the single “Request + Line” became a top forty hit in many countries. Bridging the Gap also signaled the departure of backup singer Kim Hill from their line-up.

Third Album with Fergie

Album number three was 2003’s Elephunk, which introduced the world to Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson on vocals. The record was a major departure from their previous raw hip hop as it incorporated a more mainstream, pop sound.

The group’s first major hit came with the single, “Where is the Love?” This was followed by other hits such as “Shut Up” and “Hey Mama.” But it was their fourth single, “Let’s Get It Started,” that won The Black Eyed Peas a Grammy.

"Monkey Business"

After finishing up tour dates in support of Elephunk, the band went back into the studio to record a follow-up. The album, Monkey Business, was released in 2005 and debuted in the second spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart. Its most successful singles were the Grammy-winning, “Don’t Phunk with My Heart,” the top twenty hit, “Don’t Lie,” and the instant success, “My Humps.”

Solo Projects

While touring in support of Monkey Business, The Black Eyed Peas worked on other projects. Fergie released the solo album, The Dutchess, while will.i.am. released the album, Songs About Girls, and collaborated with artists such as Sergio Mendes and Michael Jackson.

Remix and Charity Albums

Next up, a compilation called Renegotiations: The Remixes came out. Then, the band’s cover of the John Lennon song, “Power to the People,” appeared on the tribute album, Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur, in 2007.

"The E.N.D."

Their fifth album was released in 2009. The E.N.D., standing for “The Energy Never Dies,” debuted in the top spot on the Billboard 200 in its first week of release. The more electro-hop record contained anthemic tracks and gave The Black Eyed Peas their first U.S. number one hit with “Boom Boom Pow.”

"I Gotta Feeling"

Though the song, “Imma Be,” also reached number one, it was the Grammy-winning, “I Gotta Feeling,” that was the effort’s most popular and successful tune. It became the highest selling digital single in the U.S. thus far, and set a Billboard Hot 100 record for the longest consecutive run at the top spot on the chart.

Performances

2010 was a busy year for The Black Eyed Peas. In March, they became the first band to broadcast a live concert in 3D via movie theatres. In June, they performed at their biggest event ever for over seven hundred million viewers around the world during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-Off concert in South Africa. And in November, they released album number six, entitled The Beginning.

The Beginning

Though reviews for the more electro funk and techno-inspired record were mixed, it still debuted in position number six on the Billboard 200 chart. Its first single, “The Time (Dirty Bit),” peaked on the charts in the Top Five.

A Pop Mainstay

With their catchy beats, fun lyrics and extravagant live shows, the foursome has become one of the most successful acts of the early twenty-first century. If they continue to reinvent themselves as they have done in the past, then The Black Eyed Peas are sure to be mainstays in the world of pop for years to come.