APL

MyGen Profile Generator.. width="425" height="350" ..Dont go to a BEP show expecting to see MCs Will.I.Am, Apl.de.Ap and Taboo pace back and forth to a DAT. Fortified by the soulful voice of new recruit Fergie, the foursome and their band are as likely to bust into Pass the Courvoisier or Snoops Beautiful as they are the Latin funk of Sexy or their current hit Where is the Love. Then add break-dancing to the mix. The phrase electric boogaloo is not lost on the Peas.The crew initially got together when pals Will.I.Am and Apl.de.Ap met Taboo in a break-dancing circle at a Los Angeles club called Ballistics. Despite being closer to De La Soul than N.W.A., in 1992 they were signed to Eazy Es Ruthless label. When Eazy died of AIDS complications, the Peas enlisted singer Kim Hill, and moved to Interscope. By 2000s Bridging the Gap, they were stressing spiritual positivity and musical eclecticism, as well as roping in A List guests like Macy Gray and Wyclef Jean. The groups essence got a little lost in the process. Relationships crumbled. Hill left. The world didnt exactly hold their breath waiting for a new record. VH1 interview
VH1: Theres a distinct Latin vibe to the album. Where does that come from?
Will.I.Am: It all stems back to Africa. Latin rhythms and hip-hop both come from African rhythms. I was born and raised in East Los Angeles, which was predominantly Hispanic, so those rhythms are things I appreciate and gravitate towards.
Taboo: Im a Mexican kid from East L.A. as well. I was born there. Throughout my life, I was exposed to mariachi, meringue, cumbia, salsa. Im able to write Spanish lyrics or feed off what Will produces.
Apl.de.Ap: I was born in the Philippines. Spaniards invaded the Philippines back in the day, and I was influenced by their guitars and utilize them in productions.
VH1: Your Filipino background plays a big part in Elephunks The Apl Song.
A: Definitely. I was always inspired by Filipino folk songs, so the chorus is me singing in Tagalog, Listen, I got a story to tell of all the events that have been going on in the promised land I was born in. In the song I talked about the Philippines and the way of life over there.
W: A lot of people in the urban areas talk about the ghetto life, but thats luxury compared to where he comes from.
A: In the Philippines, youve got to dig up the ground to do a number two, and then youve got to cover it up. You got to pump the water out of the ground to wash your clothes and your hands. Thats my ghetto! I remember coming to America for the first time, and going to Wills house. He still lives in the projects. I was like, man, I want to live here! Its so dope!
W: Yeah, we have dogs for pets and cats and birds. This fool had a bison! Right?
A: Wed wash our water buffalo, tie em to the tree next to our house, and then the next day we use them to dig out the soil to plant like sweet potatoes and rice and corn.
W: Hes adopted. Hes like one of those Sally Struthers 25-cents-a-day kids. MyGen Profile Generator