Black Eyed Peas Biography :

L.A.-based hip-hop trio Black Eyed Peas started out as the unofficial West Coast franchise of the East Coast's iconic Native Tongues collective, desperate to show the world that not all West Coast rap devotees were about was blingin', bangin', and bitches: Former break dancers garbed in boho gear, comprised of various races and stressing positivity, the trio was a pointed antidote to the gangsta and ghetto fabulousness of the day. Their 1998 debut, Behind the Front produced the irresistible club hit, "Joints and Jams," but the group hadn't found their voice yet and the album sinks under the weight of its slick production. Their followup, Bridging the Gap, is a more organic-feeling representation of their considerable skills and vision: Tracks such as "On My Own" and "Weekend" display uncluttered and muscular production, deft samples, and smart rhymes.

The group wanted to crack the big time, though, and they did with Elephunk, breaking out some marquee names -- Justin Timberlake, Papa Roach, Brazilian samba legend Sergio Mendes -- as well as adding a female member, Fergie, to their crew. The would-be What's Goin' On–era Marvin Gaye track "Where Is the Love" became an Up With People anthem, and the Parliament-inflected "Let's Get Retarded" achieved their booty-shaking goals (and became a theme song for the NBA). The production is meticulously detailed, but the crew's clichéd observations, preachy lyrics, and MTV-ready posturing make Elephunk their least inspiring album.   ...Source...

Black Eyed Peas Biography (More) :

Positive messages and breakdancing are integral parts of hip-hop culture, but by 1990 those elements had been temporarily eclipsed by the tough gangster image and bleak but compelling lyrics of West Coast groups like N.W.A.. However, despite sharing a zip code, Black Eyed Peas' vision goes beyond the cracked-sidewalk vignettes and sampled gunfire of Los Angeles' gangster style. The socially conscious group's earliest connections go back to high school, when Will.I.Am and Apl de Ap were part of Tribal Nation, a breakdancing crew. Eventually the pair focused more on music -- hip-hop, specifically -- and split off into their own as Atban Klann, their esoteric name an acronym for A Tribe Beyond a Nation. Eazy-E's Ruthless Records signed the group in 1992 , but many in the Ruthless camp were puzzled by the group and the enthusiasm of Eazy, who had no problem reconciling his own gangster style with the peace-minded breakdancing of Atban. Although an album was recorded, Ruthless shelved it, unsure how to market a group whose style wasn't dependent on violent braggadocio like N.W.A.

The death of Eazy-E in 1995 signaled the end of any further deals with Ruthless. Undaunted by the experience, Will and Apl recruited another dancer/MC, Taboo, and reappeared as Black Eyed Peas. BEP began playing shows around L.A., impressing hip-hop fans with their mic skills and dazzling them with their footwork as well. In 1998 their debut, Behind the Front, was released to critical acclaim -- not only for the trio of MCs, but for their live band and backing vocalist Kim Hill as well. Featuring guest appearances from Jurassic 5's Chali 2na, De La Soul, and Macy Gray, BEP's sophomore effort, Bridging the Gap, was released in 2000. The group's third album, 2003's Elephunk, featured a new member, Fergie who replaced Kim Hill. All Music Guide ... Source ...