Black Eyed Peas

US hip-hop group. Known for their energetic dance moves and MC skills, they defied the 1990s gangsta rap style and appealed to a wider audience with their upbeat party-style music and socially conscious messages. Their debut Behind the Front (1998) was followed by Bridging the Gap (2000), Elephunk (2003), featuring the crossover pop/dance anthem ‘Let's Get it Started’ and the Justin Timberlake collaboration ‘Where Is the Love’, and Monkey Business (2005), featuring ‘Don't Phunk with my Heart’.

Black Eyed Peas members include will.i.am (born William Adams, 1975– ), apl.de.ap (born Allen Pineda, 1974– ), Fergie (born Stacey Ferguson, 1975– ), and Taboo (born Jaime Gormez, 1975– ). The group won a Grammy Award for best group rap performance for ‘Let's Get it Started’ in 2005.

will.i.am and apl.de.ap were school mates and members of the breakdancing group Tribal Nation. Turning more to music the pair broke from the group and formed Atban Klann. Although they received a recording contract in 1992, it was not until they recruited MC and dancer Taboo and formed Black Eyed Peas that the band gained wide recognition. Original vocalist Kim Hill was replaced by Fergie before the release of Elephunk. The MC/vocalists are supported by a live band: George Pajon, Jr on guitar, Tim Izo on sax and flute, Printz Board on keyboard, bass, and trumpet, and Keith Harris on drums.