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Anyone who's spent time in the kitchen knows, some things you just can't rush. Like their namesake, funky party boys The Black Eyed Peas took awhile to get it right. Buddies will.i.am and apl.de.ap formed the band in LA way back in 1989. The socially conscious act stood out from the area's gritty g-funk scene and, though their talent got them signed with Eazy-E's Ruthless Records, the label declined to release the record, claiming it missed their core gangsta audience. But The Black Eyed Peas didn't buckle under the pressure, keeping it true with their affirmative lyrics and a groovy, live backing band. When everyone else was wearing saggy jeans and wife beaters, TBEP stayed fresh with snappy fedoras and crisp sweaters. They played the club scene with respected LA acts like Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli, achieving local acclaim and hooking up with Mexican musician Taboo. The Peas had a modest hit, "Joints and Jam," on the Bulworth soundtrack and paired up with Macy Gray on 2000's "Request + Line." The final ingredient fell into the pot in 2003 when they replaced background singer Kim Hill with newcomer Stacy Ferguson. Things took off when they dropped Elephunk, an unexpected, solid party record full of funky hip hop jams and killer bass. The hits kept coming, starting with "Where Is the Love?" and continuing with "Hey Mama," "Let's Get Retarded" and "Shutup." The ghetto-glam Fergie was front and center on all the tracks, keeping the party smokin'. And it just got hotter with 2005's platinum smash Monkey Business, dropping irresistible singles like Don't Phunk With My Heart and My Humps. The Black Eyed Peas toured with fellow future-funksters N.E.R.D. and Fergie recently released a smash solo disc produced by will.i.am, titled The Dutchess.

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