It seems like just yesterday the Black Eyed Peas were topping the charts with hit after hit. While they are far removed from the days of “Let’s Get It Started,” the group continues to thrive in their field in different ways.
Today (Oct. 10), the eclectic group (minus Fergie) stopped by The Breakfast Club to talk about their humble beginnings including their days being signed to Eazy-E’s Ruthless Records, Ap being a charity case as a child, and how Fergie ended up in the group.
Here are the 10 things we learned from The Black Eyed Peas on The Breakfast Club.
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Photo: Power 105
1. Ruthless
The Black Eyed Peas were signed to Eazy-E’s Ruthless Records back in 1992 right after Dr. Dre left. Back then they were known as Atban Klan. That name would’ve landed them on the terrorist watch list in Trump’s Amerikkka.
2. Biggie & Pac
will.i.am feels that if Eazy was still alive Tupac and Biggie wouldn’t have passed. He thinks they’d still be alive.
3. No Vaseline
Jerry Heller had the group then known as Atban Klan on a $150 a week allowance. Seems cheap as hell (and it is) but for anyone in the struggle it’s good money. Especially back then.
4. 25 Cent Ap
While living in the Philippines Apl.de.ap was one of those “25 cents a day can feed this child” kids. He actually got that money, too.
5. Visionary
Unbeknownst to many, Ap is legally blind. You have to be 10 feet or closer for him to recognize you.
6. Macy Gray
Macy Gray used to be a member of the Black Eyed Peas back in the day during the 90’s. Before blowing up with Fergie, BEP’s had a number of different women be a part of the group.
7. Fergie
Before Fergie joined the group, Will wanted Nicole Scherzinger to be a part of the Black Eyed Peas but her boyfriend at the time didn’t let her do it. That opened the door for Fergie (who was always hanging around) to join and the rest of history.
8. Soul Food For Thought
Even though they call themselves Black Eyed Peas (a reference to soul food for the soul) none of them actually like eating black eyed peas. Can’t be mad at that.
9. Fergie Replacement?
Now that Fergie went her own route, the BEP’s say they’ll continue to work with other women like Macy Gray, Nicole Scherzinger, etc.
10. Culture Heroes
The Black Eyed Peas new comic book Masters of The Sun is actually an interactive comic book that works with a downloadable app that features voiceovers from the likes of Rakim, Redman, Queen Latifah, KRS-One and other Hip-Hop legends. It’s next level dope.
