Are the Black Eyed Peas Still Together?
The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards were a sight to behold in the age of COVID-19. Audiences enjoyed performances from celebrities The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, BTS, and Lady Gaga’s costume changes. The award show also paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. However, the performance by the Black Eyed Peas had viewers scratching their heads with more questions than they had answers to.
The band, which consisted of original members, Apl.de.ap, Taboo, and Will.i.am, performed with a new band member and Fergie nowhere in sight. So are the Black Eyed Peas still together, and who is the new member of the Black Eyed Peas?
Are the Black Eyed Peas still together?
In 1995 Apl.de.ap and Will.i.am formed a new group after branching out of Atban Klann. They named the group Black Eyed Pods (and changed it later to Black Eyed Peas) with Kim Hill and Taboo. At the time, “gangsta rap” was popular, but the group decided to take a different approach to their music and adopt a conscious appearance and musical style.
They got signed to Interscope and released their debut studio album Behind The Front in 1998, which earned critical acclaim. The Black Eyed Peas released their second album Bridging The Gap, in 2000. Hill exited the group mid-production but still got featured on tracks like ‘Tell Your Mama Come’ and ‘Hot.’ She also appeared in the video for the single ‘Weekends.’
Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls auditioned to be the fourth member and Hill’s replacement, but the group decided to go with Fergie. The group released Elephunk in 2003 and released their first significant hit, ‘Where Is The Love?’ In 2003. The Black Eyed Peas achieved worldwide fame and success with hits like ‘Don’t Phunk With My Heart’, ‘Let’s Get It Started’, and ‘Boom Boom Pow.’
Why Fergie left the Black Eyed Peas
Stacy Ann Fergusson, also known as Fergie, gained popularity with the Black Eyed Peas when she became an official group member in 2002. She had initially been brought on to complete guest vocals on some of the group’s songs for the 2003 album Elephunk.
She, however, formed a strong bond with the group members, and they offered her a permanent spot. She worked together with the group for several years and helped revolutionize the group. She also enjoyed success as a solo artist with songs like ‘Glamorous’ and ‘L.A. Love (La La).’
In 2017, rumors began circulating that Fergie was leaving the group. Will.i.am tried getting ahead of the rumors and squashing them by claiming that Fergie was taking a short break to focus on other projects. However, in the summer of 2017, Will.i.am confirmed that Fergie was no longer part of the Black Eyed Peas. The other group members said Fergie had left the group to focus on being a great mother to her son Axl.
Who is J. Rey Soul?
For some, the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards marked the first time they met J. Rey Soul. However, the star has been working closely with the Black Eyed Peas since 2018. Soul, whose real name is Jessica Reynoso, was first introduced to the group’s fans on their 2018 album Master of The Sun Volume 1.
Soul might be getting recognized now as a group member, but she got acquainted with the trio when she appeared on The Voice of the Philippines. According to Newsweek, Soul joined the group on their 2019 world tour and has had significant involvement in their latest album Translation. Translation which was released in June 2020.
