Black Eyed Peas

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The global phenomenon that is the Black Eyed Peas consists of the obscurely named Will.i.am, Fergie, apl.de.ap and Taboo. Formed in the notorious underground hip-hop scene of Los Angeles back in 1995, it wasn't until the release of their third album Elephunk that the group were established as the unparalleled leaders of funky, energetic party anthems that have infiltrated the charts ever since. Their breakthrough single Where Is The Love featured Justin Timberlake and went on to top the charts all over the world, and subsequently became the biggest selling single of the year. Follow up singles Shut Up, Hey Mama and Let's Get It Started achieved similar success, with the latter winning a Grammy award.

It's estimated this incredibly talented, charismatic quartet have sold a staggering 18 million albums and 9 million singles; an undeniable feat in anyone's book. However the lyrical content of single My Humps from album No 4 Monkey Business questioned their credibility as it saw lead singer Fergie writhering around proclaiming to get men ‘love drunk off my lady lumps'! This unfortunately was branded ‘one of the most embarrassing rap performances of the new millennium'.

The groups fifth studio album The E.N.D released June 2009 just goes to show their desire to keep churning out boisterous and buoyant hip-hop beats that have rewarded them such critical acclaim. Their exuberant spirit and clear passion to make music that has no inhibitions or boundaries is certainly reflected in their success, which is something founder Will.i.am agrees with: "I think the fact that we just have fun with the music is the reason why it works," he says and who are we to argue with that?