Black Eyed Peas

Biography

This Los Angeles, California, USA-based multi-ethnic rap crew joined artists such as Black Star, Jurassic 5 and the Roots at the forefront of the cultural and musical renaissance in hip-hop at the end of the twentieth century. The manifesto of Will.I.Am (b. William James Adams Jnr., 15 March 1975, USA), Apl.de.Ap (b. Allen Pineda, 28 November 1974, Pampanga, the Philippines) and Taboo (b. Jaime Gomez, 14 July 1975) is clear. They aim to unite musical communities by serving up radio-friendly tunes while maintaining their hardcore integrity.

Will.I.Am and Apl.de.Ap first met in 1989 as eighth grade students, and began performing around the Los Angeles district as Atban Klann. An abortive recording contract with Ruthless Records left them wary but unbowed, and after recruiting Taboo in 1995 the newly named Black Eyed Peas were finally rewarded with a major label contract with Interscope Records. The trio's 1998 ... // 72% Remaining