While The Black Eyed Peas is an icon in the music industry now, it wasn’t always like that. When Fergie joined the group in 2002, its popularity skyrocketed. The Black Eyed Peas was on everybody’s lips in the 2000s with popular songs like Where Is The Love?, I Gotta Feeling, and My Humps. Due to a significant increase in popularity over the years, it seemed that Fergie was there to stay.
From hip-hop, The Black Eyed Peas transitioned to pop music. This move meant gaining more international fame. However, Fergie quietly left The Black Eyed Peas in 2017 before the band’s seventh album was released. Due to this move, fans were not that impressed with the album.
Fergie Catapulted The Black Eyed Peas Into Pop Music
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Fergie looking shocked during What’s Up TV interview
Like many other bands, fans have their favorites. The Black Eyed Peas was successful even before Fergie joined them. However, when she became their lead singer, The Black Eyed Peas became one of the best-selling bands ever.
As a result of the group’s success, will.i.am is worth around $70 million.
The album ‘Elephunk’ released in 2003 immediately transformed The Black Eyed Peas from a successful band to being famous internationally. Since Fergie just joined the group before this album was released, she surely contributed significantly to the album’s success.
Yet the Black Eyed Peas formed like many other bands. Two friends, in this case, will.i.am (William Adams) and apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda Lindo) wanted to take the world by surprise with their music and dance moves.
They experimented with hip-hop and rap in the 90s, but that period is not the one that boosted their careers. When Kim Hill joined the group in 1998 as its vocalist, The Black Eyed Peas was still not as successful as it is today.
After two years, Kim Hill eventually made the decision to step down in 2000.
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The Black Eyed Peas was not internationally famous until Fergie joined the group in 2002. Her appearance, attitude, and remarkable vocals finally gave a boost to The Black Eyed Peas’ popularity.
Shortly after Fergie joined and also due to the transition to pop music, the group accomplished high record sales.
Fergie Left The Black Eyed Peas To Focus On Motherhood
When news of Fergie leaving the band was released, no one understood why. As fans became more upset with the decision, they wanted to know the real reason why she left after 15 years.
During an interview, will.i.am explained that Fergie left The Black Eyed Peas to focus on being a mom to her son, Axl.
Born in 2013, Axl was around 5 years old when his mother left The Black Eyed Peas.
Even if the time of diapers and first steps was long gone, Fergie’s busy schedule as a lead singer in the group meant that she didn’t have the time to be fully focused on each step of being a mom.
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Leaving The Black Eyed Peas gave her more time with her son, as well as more time to work on independent projects. Fergie has certainly been busy over the years with making new music, fashion, and receiving awards.
Also, she focused on building her wine brand, Ferguson Crest, located in Santa Ynez Valley, California.
The Black Eyed Peas Replaced Fergie Shortly After She Left
A few years after Fergie said goodbye to being their lead singer, The Black Eyed Peas members filled her spot with J Rey Soul. As a finalist in ‘The Voice Philippines’ in 2013, Jessica Reynoso (J Rey Soul) was part of the Team apl.de.ap.
The Black Eyed Peas noticed her during that time.
She officially became the lead singer when she contributed to the album ‘Translation’. While Fergie was quick to promote the band’s new album on her Instagram, many fans were not impressed with this recent change.
As someone new was seen performing the original Fergie parts, fans quickly went to Twitter to express their disapproval of J Rey Soul’s performance.
Fergie Remained Friends With The Black Eyed Peas Members
After spending about 15 years working, and being successful together, Fergie and The Black Eyed Peas couldn’t have lost contact.
Fergie left the band amicably for personal purposes, not because of an internal conflict between the members. She just needed more time to focus on motherhood.
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Fergie and The Black Eyed Peas on the stage
During an interview, will.i.am created confusion when he was asked why Fergie left the group. He quickly answered that he didn’t know the reasons. At that moment, Fergie was reportedly not part of The Black Eyed Peas WhatsApp group.
As time has passed and fans have become more interested in the subject, there was a need for an official statement. This came in 2020 when Fergie mentioned that they all “try to keep in touch”, especially for important dates in their lives.
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However, Fergie leaving The Black Eyed Peas mattered more to their fans rather than to them. Both Fergie and The Black Eyed Peas continue to have successful projects. While the band releases music every few months, Fergie is successful on her own.
Still, each contributed to the fame of the other. Fergie’s career received a boost when joining The Black Eyed Peas, while the band successfully integrated its name into the pop music industry.