Black Eyed Peas: how important is Fergie to the group?
10-31-05, 01:55 PM
#1
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Black Eyed Peas: how important is Fergie to the group?
I seem to remember this group was around for sometime before they broke through big time in early 2004. Fergie, who had just joined, was quite noticable in their videos and is what prompted me to find out who they were and how long they had actually been around.
I found out she used to be a member of Wild Orchid (thought she looked familiar), and remember her having a beautiful singing voice, which she somtimes gets to use now. However, I have noticed that the past few Black Eyed Peas videos have more or less made her the focal point while the original members have more or less faded into the BG. Today I saw a video where Fergie was dancing around with a bunch of other girls and listened to the lyrics to find out she was singing about her behind. This is about as low brow as a band can get IMO. I just have the feeling that Fergie is the group's key to the white audience and they want her to be their Gwen Stefani type figure. Any other thoughts on this?
I found out she used to be a member of Wild Orchid (thought she looked familiar), and remember her having a beautiful singing voice, which she somtimes gets to use now. However, I have noticed that the past few Black Eyed Peas videos have more or less made her the focal point while the original members have more or less faded into the BG. Today I saw a video where Fergie was dancing around with a bunch of other girls and listened to the lyrics to find out she was singing about her behind. This is about as low brow as a band can get IMO. I just have the feeling that Fergie is the group's key to the white audience and they want her to be their Gwen Stefani type figure. Any other thoughts on this?
10-31-05, 01:57 PM
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You hit the nail on the head. Both about that ridiculous "Humps" song [their vain effort to promote some new slang] and the other BEP members that aren't friends with Justin Timberlake or named Will.I.Am fading into the background.
10-31-05, 02:51 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by BadlyDrawnBoy
have you not seen the SNL Skit about the band?
they have sold out.
they have sold out.
Links?
When I heard Fergie croon the line:"My lovely lady lumps" I thought I was going to barf. That is the epitome of corny songwriting.
10-31-05, 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Dr. DVD
When I heard Fergie croon the line:"My lovely lady lumps" I thought I was going to barf. That is the epitome of corny songwriting.
Agreed - "lumps" has got to be the most rediculous term out there.
Sorry Fergie - When I think of "lumps" I think of oatmeal and Willford Brimley - who is also lumpy.
10-31-05, 03:48 PM
#9
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[Humpty]I like my oatmeal lumpy[Humpty]
10-31-05, 04:58 PM
#10
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Originally Posted by Dr. DVD
I just have the feeling that Fergie is the group's key to the white audience
Look at the Billboard peaks of their albums:
Behind the Front (1998): 129
Bridging the Gap (2000): 67
Elephunk (2004): 14
Monkey Business (2005): 2
They've gotten more and more successful despite the fact that their 3rd and 4th albums suck, IMO. (I absolutely love the first two, though). True, their music has been dumbed down, but also sex sells.
10-31-05, 05:37 PM
#12
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Originally Posted by Numanoid
You guys are looking for artistic integrity in music marketed to 12 year-olds again?
10-31-05, 06:12 PM
#13
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Originally Posted by DJLinus
Maybe a nitpick, but I'd say a more accurate statement is that she is the key to their mainstream success. I may be the exception, but I'm white and have been a fan before they even released an album (saw a live performance and met them at CMJ).
Look at the Billboard peaks of their albums:
Behind the Front (1998): 129
Bridging the Gap (2000): 67
Elephunk (2004): 14
Monkey Business (2005): 2
They've gotten more and more successful despite the fact that their 3rd and 4th albums suck, IMO. (I absolutely love the first two, though). True, their music has been dumbed down, but also sex sells.
Look at the Billboard peaks of their albums:
Behind the Front (1998): 129
Bridging the Gap (2000): 67
Elephunk (2004): 14
Monkey Business (2005): 2
They've gotten more and more successful despite the fact that their 3rd and 4th albums suck, IMO. (I absolutely love the first two, though). True, their music has been dumbed down, but also sex sells.
10-31-05, 06:13 PM
#14
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Originally Posted by muMbLing
I wonder if any of the male members of blacked eyed peas 'slept' with fergie
10-31-05, 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by tommyp007
[Humpty]I like my oatmeal lumpy[Humpty]
10-31-05, 08:06 PM
#16
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Originally Posted by Rockmjd23
She's very important and an inspiration to pants-pissers everywhere.
Her "hump" don't seem so good if she can't control her bodily functions.
10-31-05, 08:46 PM
#17
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Originally Posted by MANBREASTS
I'm sure they tried, But anyway she is the only reason anybody pays attention to the group, Just like in the Fugees, Pras and Wycleff don't have any talent Laurin Hill is the Group.
Wow, if you think Wyclef doesn't have any talent I want to know who you think does.
10-31-05, 08:56 PM
#18
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Originally Posted by Dr. DVD
I guess this kind of proves my argument. FWIW, I equate mainstream success with selling albums to white suburban teens when it comes to today's music market.
Originally Posted by MANBREASTS
Just like in the Fugees, Pras and Wycleff don't have any talent Laurin Hill is the Group.
Last edited by DJLinus; 10-31-05 at 08:59 PM.
10-31-05, 09:26 PM
#19
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Interesting fact: according to IMDB, in her childhood, Fergie was the voice of Charlie Brown's little sister Sally in a few TV specials in the early 80s. Bet Linus didn't know what he was rejecting when she called him her sweet babboo. 
11-01-05, 07:12 AM
#21
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Originally Posted by MANBREASTS
I'm sure they tried, But anyway she is the only reason anybody pays attention to the group, Just like in the Fugees, Pras and Wycleff don't have any talent Laurin Hill is the Group.
Wyclef, my friend, has talent. Wyclef's Masquerade was an awesome awesome album.
Lauryn Hill also had talent (and she certainly is a better singer and songwriter than Wyclef) but she just went crazy.
11-01-05, 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by The Bus
(Note that since they broke up none of them have been nearly as popular).
We are agreed that she is WAY crazy though
. I saw her at the Hollywood Bowl a few years ago and she was crying and yelling at her band / crew the whole show.
11-01-05, 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by tommyp007
[Humpty]I like my oatmeal lumpy[Humpty]
That's okay. Just don't say something that means nothin'... like "looptid."
11-01-05, 10:38 AM
#24
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My white sister-in-law has recently took interest in BEP. I'd guess Fergie was a big reason.
I'm not really into the "booty shaking", "sex you" type music though. If I listen to hip-hop I'd like a little more depth -- from what I understand BEP used to lean more that way. I'd probably like their pre-Fergie stuff better.
But as far as "selling to white kids" goes. I think black artists have no problem selling to white kids. I'd bet Snoop, Dre, etc. sell way more albums to white kids than black kids.
I'm not really into the "booty shaking", "sex you" type music though. If I listen to hip-hop I'd like a little more depth -- from what I understand BEP used to lean more that way. I'd probably like their pre-Fergie stuff better.
But as far as "selling to white kids" goes. I think black artists have no problem selling to white kids. I'd bet Snoop, Dre, etc. sell way more albums to white kids than black kids.
11-01-05, 02:09 PM
#25
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Originally Posted by DodgingCars
But as far as "selling to white kids" goes. I think black artists have no problem selling to white kids. I'd bet Snoop, Dre, etc. sell way more albums to white kids than black kids.
I have no doubt that you are correct. However, I am not talking about Snoop, Dre, et al. I am talking about a group that was making mostly good and ethnic music that didn't start to really sell until they got a booty shakin white girl (who seems to spend lots of time in the tanning bed IMO).