About the Black Eyed Peas

By the early nineties, hip-hop with positive messages rapped over funky beats had all been eclipsed by the popularity of gangsta rap. Black Eyed Peas? social consciousness made them stand out as west-coast rappers, even causing their first record label not to release their initial record because they had no idea how to market it.

The group's connections go back to high school, when will.i.am and apl.de.ap were in a breakdancing crew. The pair started to focus on hip-hop, and split off with their friend Dante Santiago as Atban Klann, an acronym for A Tribe Beyond a Nation. Eazy-E's signed the group to Ruthless Records in 1992, but many at Ruthless were confused by the group and for Eazy?s enthusiasm for their music

Eazy-E?s death in 1995 brought an end to any hope for further deals with Ruthless. Will and apl trudged on, recruited another dancer/MC, Taboo, and reappeared as Black Eyed Peas. BEP began playing shows around L.A., impressing fans with their MC skills and footwork. Their 1998 debut, Behind the Front, was widely acclaimed. Unlike most hip-hop acts of that time, they performed with a live band. The hit single from the album,"Joints and Jam", was also featured on the Bulworth soundtrack. Their second album, 2000's Bridging the Gap, featured Macy Gray.
The group's third album, 2003's Elephunk, featured a new member, Fergie, who replaced previous singer Kim Hill. Elephunk?s first single, "Where is the Love?", featured Justin Timberlake and became their first major hit. Elephunk won the group worldwide success and went gold and platinum in the US, UK, Germany and other countries.
BEP returned with Monkey Business, which made them widely popular due to the success of ?My Humps.? "Don't Phunk with My Heart" was a hit in the U.S. and reached number three on the Billboard 100. The song also earned them another Grammy for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group. "My Humps" was an immediate success in the U.S.; however, many critics and fans mocked the song for its lack of content. Despite this, the album Monkey Business went certified triple platinum. In April 2006 BEP hit the road for a worldwide tour with Flipsyde and The Pussycat Dolls.