The Black Eyed Peas And Hip Hop

The Black Eyed Peas gained notoriety as music stars when they released their album “Elephunk” in 2003. They are a hip hop band out of Los Angeles and their music genre has sold over 18 million albums. The band is comprised of four artists will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo and Fergie.

“Elephunk” the album was the first to introduce the voice of Fergie (Stacy Ferguson), who stepped in for Kim Hill whose decision it was to leave the Black Eyed Peas in 2000. Their first major hit was “Where Is The Love?” with Justin Timberlake and it peaked the US Hot 100 chart at number 8, but topped the billboards nearly everywhere else. Another song from that album called “Shut Up” held the number 2 spot in England, but was on the top of the charts in Australia, and stayed on top for just over 3 weeks. These very popular music stars were on their way.

The Black Eyed Peas hit “Let’s Get It Started” was another success worldwide and it was a big success as a single download from iTunes. In 2004 the Black Eyed Peas set out on the “Elephunk” tour which went to numerous countries including Europe and Africa.

The next album to  be released was called “Monkey Business’ and was released in 2005. Their first single of the album to top the charts was “Don’t Phunk With My Heart” which reached number 3, but was later surpassed by “Boom Boom Pow” which reached number 1 of the Billboard Hot 100, and earned a Grammy for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group. Another two songs from the album also managed to do well in the charts. They were “My Humps” and “Pump It.”

The Black Eyed Peas won Favorite Pop/ Rock Band/ Duo/ Group, at the 33rd Annual American Music Awards, among some of the many awards they’ve won. They also won Best International Group and Best International Album categories for “Monkey Business” at the NRJ Music Awards in 2006.

In 2009, the Black Eyed Peas released a studio album called “The E.N.D.” which used Auto-Tune in its’ songs. The title is an acronym for the Energy Never Dies, and at the same time confirmed that this album is definitely not their last album. Prior to the release of the album on June 9th, a promotional single was released every week. It’s been described as a diary of music that at any given time depending on the inspiration, you can add to it.

Band member of the Black Eyed Peas, Taboo, has said that this album may be the last one released in a physical form in favor of digital only albums released in the future.
The Black Eyed Peas are known to be ruffled by the ranting of Perez Hilton. While they have admitted they can take constructive criticism, at the Much Music Awards in Canada in June, will.i.am approached Hilton and asked him to stop writing about them. Perez Hilton retaliated by claiming that a tour manager for Black Eyed Peas assaulted him, and continued to attack Fergie about her appearance.
The Black Eyed Peas will continue to be music stars as long as the public follows them and buys their records.