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Black Eyed Peas

The LA group that fused hip-hop and pop and ruled the 2000s — still going, but a very different band without Fergie

Active — Black Eyed Peas formed in Los Angeles in 1995 and became one of the biggest pop-hip-hop groups of the 2000s. Fergie joined in 2003 and departed in the late 2010s; the group continues as will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo, still touring and recording.

Black Eyed Peas began in Los Angeles in 1995, founded by will.i.am and apl.de.ap and soon joined by Taboo. In their early years they were an underground hip-hop crew with a conscious, alternative edge, releasing albums like Behind the Front and Bridging the Gap that had little to do with the mainstream pop they would later sell.

The group's fortunes changed with the arrival of Fergie in 2003. With her on vocals, the album Elephunk (2003) and its follow-up Monkey Business (2005) turned Black Eyed Peas into global superstars, powered by hits such as "Where Is the Love?", "Let's Get It Started", "My Humps" and "Pump It". They sustained that success into the late 2000s with "I Gotta Feeling" and the album The E.N.D.

Fergie left the group in the late 2010s, and the band continued as a trio of will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo, later adding a touring member. Today Black Eyed Peas are still active, performing at major festivals and events — including Rock in Rio in 2026 — while Fergie has reunited with them on stage occasionally, such as at the 2026 American Music Awards.

Quick facts

Formed

1995, Los Angeles

Breakthrough

Early 2000s with Fergie

Biggest hits

"Where Is the Love?", "I Gotta Feeling"

Fergie

Joined 2003, departed late 2010s

Remaining trio

will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo

Now

Active and touring (2026)

Sources

1. Black Eyed Peas - Wikipedia — Wikipedia (2026-09-05)
2. Fergie reunites with Black Eyed Peas at American Music Awards 2026 — The Philippine Star (2026-09-05)

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