Download Fergalicious (will.i.am) Ringtone

It's tough to imagine funky hip-hop party boys The Black Eyed Peas without glam-fab Fergie front and center to make things hot. But Fergie actually had a tough time before hooking up with TBEP. Born Stacy Ferguson, she's always been in show biz she had a feature roll on the popular after-school show Kids Incorporated. Her and two fellow cast members went on to form a California girl rock group named Wild Orchid. After a promising start, Wild Orchid failed to move albums and were unceremoniously dropped. Following the band's breakup, Fergie suffered from depression, which led her first to Ecstacy and then to crystal meth. In recent interviews she's been very candid about her addiction and quitting, hoping that her stories can help other addicted girls find the strength to quit. Things totally turned around for Fergie when she joined up with the then-obscure, rootsy hip hoppers The Black Eyed Peas. Their original backup singer, Kim Hill, had left and Fergie had to fight hard to be selected as her replacement. Once in the band, things clicked and Fergie and the boys have never looked back. The Black Eyed Peas sound shifted from socially conscious to radio ready with their breakout disc Elephunk, which spawned the singles "Shut Up," "Where's The Love" and "Hey Mama." Fergie appeared in the middle of every publicity shot and magazine cover, usually rocking velour sweat-suits, champagne and diamonds. Recently, Fergie has dropped a smash solo record?produced by band-mate will.i.am, so be sure TBEP aren't going anywhere soon that's been rocking dance clubs across the country. The album is called The Dutchess, Fergie's playful wink to Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and also an acknowledgement of her new status as reigning pop royalty.

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