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Black Eyed Peas is one of the best selling hip-hop/pop group today. This phenomenal group has sold over 26 million albums worldwide. The team is composed of four members namely will.i.am, Fergie, Allan Pineda Lindo a.k.a. apl.de.ap and Jaime Gomez a.k.a.Taboo. The Black Eyed Peas is known for its unique sound. Aside from its distinctive hip-hop and pop tunes, the group also injects some touches of R&B, jazz and soul to their music.
"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.'" – The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas is set to perform live in Manila this coming October 25, 2011 at SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.
The evolution
Based on Black Eyes Peas Biography by Aceshowbiz, will.i.am joined a break-dancing club named Tribal Nation in 1989 where his path crossed with apl.de.ap. Their common interest in hip-hop music encouraged the two to form a group called Atban Klann, an acronym for "A Tribe Beyond a Nation". The two shined in Los Angeles where they were spotted by music label owner named Eazy-E. In 1992, Eazy-E signed Atban Klann under his music label Ruthless Records. Unfortunately, will.i.am and apl.de.ap’s album was shelved due to marketing dilemma. The two decided to end their contract after Eazy-E passed away due to AIDS in 1995.
The duo held on to their hopes and dreams and took on another member, Taboo. They changed the group’s name into Black Eyed Peas. The group made a mark around L.A. until they were offered a record deal by Interscope Records in 1997. The group released their first album entitled "Behind the Front" in 1998.
The Black Eyed Peas released their album called "Bridging the Gap" in 2000. The group started collaborating with artists such as DJ Premier, Wyclef Jean, Mos Def, De La Soul, Jurassic 5's Chali 2na, and Macy Gray. The group tasted worldwide fame in 2003 when they released their 3rd album entitled
"Elephunk". Their 3rd album went platinum in U.S. and Europe. After “Elephunk”, the group recruited Fergie as a substitute for back-up vocalist Kim Hill who left the group in 2000.
Multi-ethnic group
The Black Eyed Peas is composed of four dynamic members who have captivated fans with their amazing rhythmic energy.
- Will.i.am - Real name: William James Adams Jr. He is an African American born Los Angeles. He is a hip hop singer, lyricist, record producer, fashion designer, actor and a social activitist. Will.i.am is one of the founding members of The Black Eyes.
- Apl.de.ap - Real name: Allen Pineda Lindo. He is part Filipino and African-American. Apl.de.ap is also a founding member of the band. He is a hip hop singer, record producer and a cultural ambassador.
- Fergie - Real name: Stacy Ferguson. She is a vocalist, composer, TV actress and fashion icon. Fergie is a native Californian and the only female member of The Black Eyed Peas.
- Taboo - Real name: Jaime Gomez. He is part Mexican and American Indian.
Apl-de.ap's rise to fame
Allan Pineda Lindo, popularly known as Apl-de.ap was born in Pampanga to a Filipino mother and African-American father. His father served as an airman in the base. Allan did not have a chance to meet his father because the airman left the country before he was born.
Growing up as an Amerasian, Allan felt the impact of being a minority in the Philippines. He experienced being teased by other children because of the color of his skin. The difference of his skin came second to an even greater problem – his eyesight. When he was young, he suffered from nystagmus, or involuntary movement of the eyes. He had a difficult time seeing things especially in school. Little did he know that his impaired vision would serve as a bridge that would lead him towards success. Allan was first flown to the US by the Pearl S. Buck Foundation at the age of 11 for medical eye treatment but his American sponsor, Jo Ben Hudgens eventually adopted him, which enabled Allan to live in California.
When Allan’s path crossed with William James Adams Jr., his passion for music was ignited. Their gift in music and determination led to the birth to The Black Eyed Peas. Christened as apl-de.ap in the world of music, Allan found his way to the top. As a member of The Black Eyed Peas, he became a popular music icon worldwide.
The fame and the success did not stop apl-de.ap from going back to his roots. Apl.de.ap is committed to help boost the Philippines through his music, an endeavor fully supported by the rest of The Black Eyed Peas. His long term vision is to help talented Filipinos be recognized around the worldwide. Apl.de.ap also hopes to make the rest of the world open their eyes to the beauty of his culture.
In the album “Elephunk”, apl.de.ap shared the life of his story through the song entitled “The Apl Song”. It was also a tribute to the Filipinos who fought for the U.S. during the World War II. The “Apl Song” became number 1 in the Philippines.
This year apl-de.ap put up his own music company called Jeepney Music, Inc. He is currently working on a solo album as he launches his own music label. Through Jeepney Music, apl-de.ap hopes to give artists and DJs the recognition they deserve.
He put up the Apl’s Foundation to be able to give back to communities, especially children within the Philippines and throughout Asia. The Foundation aims to raise funds in order to support immediate need projects within the Philippines.
Apl’s “We Can Be Anything” campaign
“We Can Be Anything” is an education advocacy campaign is a joint effort between the Apl.de.Ap Foundation (AdAF) and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF). This campaign was inspired by apl.de.ap’s desire to help improve the education situation in the Philippines.
The Black Eyed Peas Music Awards
The Black Eyed Peas has received numerous outstanding rewards and recognition in the music industry. The American Music Award has recognized and awarded The Black Eyed Peas since 2003. In 2010, the group won an American Music Award in the category Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group. In 2009, the group won a total of 3 American Music Awards in different categories namely (1) Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group, (2) Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group and (3) Favorite Soul/R&B Album for "The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies)".
The Black Eyed Peas has dominated billboard charts countless times over the years. In 2011, the group won Billboard Music Award in the category Top Duo/Group and nominated in 3 other categories. They also received several awards from Brit Awards and ECHO Awards.
The sensational group has continuously reaped recognition and awards from the prestigious Grammy Awards since 2004. In 2010 alone, The Black Eyed Peas garnered 3 Grammy awards namely (1) Best Short Form Music Video for "Boom Boom Pow";
(2) Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "I Gotta Feeling" and (3) Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "I Gotta Feeling". The band also received 3 other Grammy nominations.
Other award music bodies that have recognized the brilliance of The Black Eyed Peas are ARIA Awards, International Music Awards, Juno Awards, MOBO Awards, MTV Asia Awards, MTV Europe Awards, MTV Australia Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and many more.
Photo: Concert poster from The Black Eyed Peas Facebook page.
Videos: The Black Eyed Peas - Apl Song, c/o Youtube; The Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow, c/o Youtube, The Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling, c/o Youtube; We Can Be Anything – Apl.de.ap [Official Video], c/o Youtube.
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