I used to love the Black Eyed Peas. Their first album Behind the Front is one of the great debut albums ever. And their second, Bridging the Gap was amazing. The BEPs came out of the LA hip hop scene that birthed other great hip hop acts like LA Symphony and Jurassic 5. The BEPs set themselves apart from the hip hop scene of that era with their very non-gangster, quirky style. They had a real funky flow and were original.
But now they suck. And I don't mean that they're just not as good as before, they truly suck. Jo and I saw them on some TV show a few weeks ago and I couldn't watch or listen at all. I mean seriously, I used to be a die hard BEP fan, but now I cannot stand them. And its not just Fergie either; their music is just terrible. Its unoriginal and formulaic, something their first two albums managed to not be.
I think they sold out. Like some other bands I used to like (Smashmouth for example) they got some fame, got some of their songs on some TV ads, and then all of a sudden their music turned to crap. They are hypocricital too because on their first 2 albums they had several lines against what they soom to have become - money loving rap stars. "Money is a drug and emcees are on it", is just one line from the song BEP Empire on Bridging the Gap.
This is what they used to be:
This is what they turned into. Painful!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F444CELomo
10 comments:
Thank you! Someone else feels the same as I do. I saw th BEP on their tour to promote Behing the Front, and it was one of the best shows I had ever seen! Really, they were better than Outkast (who made us wait for an hour and then only played 3 songs and signed no autographs). This was back in the day in Portland Oregon. But only a few years back, I had the chance to meet them in London China White, all of them including Fergie, and they were so drugged out, and counldn't talk from begin so durnk. The only normal person was Fergie! But now I can not stand their music. So many like them have sold out like Alicia Keys. The only good album she had was the first one, and her style is completely gone! Just sold out to make the money. So sad... Last time I was home, my brother who is 10 years younger than me was playing all the music from when i was in high school. Nothing modern. He said there is no good music anymore. And in a way, I have to agree.
I could not agree more, I have their first two albums, was just listening to fallin up from behind the front. Great song. now they do suck I embarrassed to say I liked them. The last comment, my brothers 13 years younger than me and all he listen to is old stuff too! huh!
I have to disagree with you completely! I didn't like their first 2 albums. I like the new ones like the E.N.D. I love the songs Boom Boom Pow, I Gotta Feeling, One Tribe, Rock Your Body, Now Generation, Showdown, Meet Me Halfway, Rockin to the Beat, Party All the Time and Pump It. So I really have no idea what you guys are talking about.
Two words; growth and variety. If artists stay the same then thats cool but I'll rather have five different albums then albums that all sound the same and thats what growth and variety is. I feel like I'm on a journey listening to all their albums and don't get bored whilst with other artists that stay the same I just end up listening to one album most the time (usually the first). With so much music around Artists have to fight to keep interest and I'm not gonna be interested if their sound is the same from 1st to last album (btw A. Keys couldn't have sold out for money since her first album made lots of money).
Change in style is fine, but you need to figure out why you're changing. Why is it that bands that make it big all of a sudden sound terrible? It's more than just coincidence. (Case in point: AFI) I can dig it if it's more style-driven than money/popularity fueled (e.g. Outkast's Speakerboxx/Love Below).
To anonymous who disliked the first two albums but loves "I've Got a Feeling," you've got to be kidding me. Are you the only one that doesn't get sick of that song being played 100000 times on the radio?
To get back to hear of the original post I wrote, the BEP's music is NOT as good as it used to be. I admit that "Boom Boom Pow" and some of their others tracks are catchy pop tunes, but its NOT hip hop. Will.i.am is a great producer and has a great ear for what sounds good, and I give him credit for that. But why did he have to go and ruin the Peas? Why couldn't he have just produced for pop acts? The new stuff could be done by any pop singer. It pales in comparison to the old stuff. They left their roots and now they're just another radio band that is making music that is not unintelligent, shallow music. BEP - R.I.P.
To anonymous who is sick of "I Gotta Feeling",everybody in my school thinks that the song is a very good one. Every one of my family members like the song boom boom pow. I have not yet met a person who dislikes the BEP(besides YOU).
"Every one of my family members like the song boom boom pow. I have not yet met a person who dislikes the BEP(besides YOU).,"
You've nailed the entire point. It's not good music -- it's POPular music.
It's not a problem that they want to do pop. I think Jamie was saying that you can swap in any other performers to make pop that will appeal to the masses. Why does BEP needs to lower their musical ability to put out this populist stuff?
Everyone can whip up an ice cream dish (and everyone likes ice cream), but you can't live off ice cream alone.
you have a point gut the songs are catchy and good. Some songs are about them just being rich and famous such as:now generation,party all the time and the music video for i gotta feeling is a little peverted.but some are good like: meet me halfway and one tribe.
What is wrong with Popular music and why are you always equating it with bad taste? How can it be so bad when it is so Popular? I think you are just making Elitist statements to let people know you have good taste in music while thumbing down on the majority. BEP makes great music, period. Their new stuff does get overplayed but that's not their fault. Don't hate the players buddy, hate the game.
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