Black Eyed Peas:They've transcended their vigilant hip-hop roots and have
become a global phenomenon, the likes of which the music world has rarely seen. They've earned fans
worldwide with their inventive approach to hip-hop music, inspiring people with loose rhymes, and
a positive spirit and funkafied vibe.
On Elephunk, Black Eyed Pea's third album, that spirit seems to course through
their beings even more than ever. The Black Eyed Peas - will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo and newcomer
Fergie - named the album Elephunk to conjure up a big, deep funk sound. Produced in its entirety
by will.i.am and apl, the album boasts a mix of live instruments and traditional hip-hop samples
and beats. It also mixes the group's breathless verbal acrobatics with a very conscious view of
the world.
Interestingly, the top song from Elephunk, "Let's get it started" originally was
titled "Let's get retarded". While the song would have been a hit with either title, the change to
"Let's get it started" allowed Black Eyed Peas to appeal to a much wider audience. The NBA picked up
on the song, and made it the central opening to all of the playoff games in 2004.
Black Eyed Pea's music has always been firmly entrenched in hip-hop but also with
an eye to other musical forms, which is one reason they are among the most versatile hip-hop groups
in the business today. Elephunk, more than previous albums, seems to transcend the simple genre
categorization, something will.i.am admits was intentional, both lyrically and musically. "This is
a hip-hop record but we didn't go into this with hip-hop on our mind," says will.i.am. "We were just
thinking of good songs, good music. We didn't want to say anything typical, like 'My style is this,
and my rhymes are like that.' A couple might have slipped in but we were really tired of saying things
like that." Elephunk also welcomes a new member into the Black Eyed Peas fold - Los Angeles native
Fergie. The singer met will.i.am at BEP shows around town and was invited to join in on a recording
session. In the studio, one song turned to three turned to five turned to an invitation to join
Black Eyed Peas. Says Fergie about her experience, "This group is just totally open to new ideas
and directions."
The Black-Eyed Peas have kept a busy calendar that includes many private
corporate parties. In 2005, you would be hard pressed to find a band that is more hip than
Black Eyed Peas.
