The Black Eyed Peas is a hip-hop group from Los Angeles, California.  The Black Eyed Peas’ music spans the genres of hip-hop, R&B and pop.  The current members of the Black Eyed Peas are:  will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo and Fergie.  Former members include Kim Hill, Dante Santiago and Sierra Swan.  The Black Eyed Peas are sometimes referred to as the BEP.

Background

The Black Eyed Peas began when will.i.am and apl.de.ap began performing rap music together in Los Angeles.  will.i.am and apl.de.ap signed with Ruthless Records and were soon joined by Dante Santiago.  Together, will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Santiago referred to themselves as Atban Klann.  In 1995, Atban Klann reformed as the Black Eyed Pods and, eventually, the Black Eyed Peas.  Soon, Santiago left the group and Taboo joined.  Kim Hill also participated as a background singer.  The group had a very different sound than other hip-hop acts because the Black Eyed Peas performed with a live band.

In 1998, the Black Eyed Peas released its debut album, Behind the Front.  Kim Hill left the band in 2000.  Her vocals were replaced by a new member of the Black Eyed Peas, Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson.  After Fergie joined the band, the Black Eyed Peas became a huge commercial success.

The BEP single “Let’s Get It Started” was used in an NBA commercial for the NBA finals which also featured Carlos Santana.  The Black Eyed Peas are featured in a video game called “The Urbz:  Sims in the City.”

In December 2005, Amnesty International released the Black Eyed Peas’ cover of John Lennon’s song “Power to the People” as part of the “Make Some Noise” campaign for human rights.
The Black Eyed Peas are also involved in social causes.  The Peapod Foundation is a charitable organization founded by The Black Eyed Peas and administered through the Entertainment Industry Foundation.  The foundation is intended to help children throughout the world with regard to social issues such as housing, starvation, healthcare, education, poverty and music/artistic education.  One of the Peapod Foundation’s goals is to encourage change by uniting people through the universal language of music.
Music / Albums
The Black Eyed Peas have the following studio albums:  Behind the Front (1998), Bridging the Gap (2000), Elephunk (2003) and Monkey Business (2005).  The BEP have an EP titled Renegotiations:  The Remixes (2006) and two virtual albums, iTunes Originals – Black Eyed Peas (2005) and Renegotiations:  The Remixes (2006).

The album Behind the Front includes the hit single “Joints and Jam” which is included on the soundtrack for the movie Bulworth.  The Black Eyed Peas’ second album, Bridging the Gap, includes the hit single “Request + Line” that features artist Macy Gray.  Elephunk is known as the group’s break out album and includes the hits “Where is the Love?” and “Shut Up.”  Monkey Business includes the hit singles “Don’t Phunk with My Heart” and “My Humps.”

iTunes Originals – Black Eyed Peas includes greatest hits and additional re-recorded tracks.  Renegotiations:  The Remixes features remixed versions of various songs.  The EP includes additional artists such as DJ Premier, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Large Professor.

Awards

The Black Eyed Peas have been nominated for a number of Grammy Awards.  In 2005, the Black Eyed Peas won a Grammy for “Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group” for the song “Let’s Get It Started,” and in 2006, they won a Grammy for “Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group” for the song “Don’t Phunk With My Heart.”

Tours

The Black Eyed Peas toured the United States throughout 2006 with other artists such as Flipsyde and The Pussycat Dolls.  The BEP also toured in Europe, Asia and Canada.