Is it possible that The Black Eyes Peas' latest album, The END, officially marked the end of the group as a hip-hop company? The new record, The Beginning, seems to confirm that, because producer will.I.am has conjured up electro / house music from his studio equipment more than ever. In an interview with The Big Issue magazine, the group also indicates that The Beginning symbolizes growth and fresh
… new perspectives. This claim is very hard to swallow as the track The Time (Dirty Bit) is an uninspired house cover of Dirty Dancing's I've Had The Time Of My Life and Light Up The Night leans on Slick Rick's Children's Story production. This album is by no means new and fresh. Regarding the alleged growth, we can at least confirm that Fergie, will.i.am, apl.de. ap and Taboo have indeed grown into a pop group. The only thing that would make this music hip-hop is the fact that the beats are rapped. (GL)more
