From The Vault: The Black Eyed Peas – ‘Shut Up’

This week From The Vault journeys back to the very end of 2003 when a unique quartet was releasing one of its biggest hits. Today’s pick is the in-your-face ‘Shut Up’ by The Black Eyed Peas.

After the Justin Timberlake-assisted ‘Where Is The Love’ put them on the mainstream map, the pressure was on for the BEP to keep up the good chart-work. Clearly the Peas knew exactly what they were doing and decided it was time to unleash their wild card: Fergie.

Indeed, after using her vocals on this very track, the band formally invited her to join them as the fourth member of the line-up.

The second single from their third album ‘Elephunk’, ‘Shut Up’ is the song that helped erase any vibes of “novelty act” attached to their name while snatching them a “credible Urban-Pop band” status. With the help of Ron Fair, will.i.am produced the track and wrote its lyrics alongside band members apl.de.ap and Taboo.

Although it wasn’t officially released in the US, the tune became a huge international success claiming the top spot of the charts in many countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany and Sweden, and peaked at #2 in the UK. Despite not charting Stateside, it was still included on the 15th edition of blockbuster compilation ‘Now That’s What I Call Music!’

The Malloys directed the Hip-Hopera themed video where the boy vs girl lyrical content is well represented with Fergie playing characters in tumultuous relationships with Will and Taboo while Apl is leading the orchestra. Not since the Fugees a few years prior had we seen such chemistry within a group and were we presented with visuals so strong that they very much helped define the identity of the band.

Blink 182’s Travis Barker as well as future Interscope label-mates Kimberly Wyatt and Carmit Bachar of the Pussycat Dolls all appear in the visual.

After kickstarting the mainstream EDM movement back in 2009, the fantastic four became a household name bagging themselves one of the biggest hit of all time with ‘I Gotta Feeling’. While we’re more than elated about the Fergalicious one’s return, we’re excited in advance to find out where the Peas will go next. With their mantra of ever artistically bridging the gaps, they are never afraid of pushing boundaries and taking risks. We already know that from a sonic, visual and promotional tip, when the time comes, we’re in for a treat.

Thoughts?