Monkey Business by The Black Eyed Peas
Monkey Business is the fourth studio album by hip hop group The Black Eyed Peas, released on May 27, 2005. The album was certified three times Platinum by the RIAA in the U.S. and has sold over 11 million copies worldwide. The Canadian Recording Industry Association (or CRIA) has certified Monkey Business 6x Platinum, with sales of over 600,000 copies. The Australian Recording Industry Association (or ARIA) has also certified Monkey Business 6x Platinum, denoting sales of over 420,000 copies. The album's tracks earned the group four 2006 Grammy Award nominations and they also won the Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Don't Phunk with My Heart". According to IFPI, over 2 million copies have been sold in Europe. In the UK alone, it has sold over 1 million copies, although this is significantly lower than their sales of Elephunk, which stand at over 1.6 million copies and 10 million worldwide.
The concept behind <i>Monkey Business</i> is to throw a little bit of everything into the mix: rap, R&B, reggaeton, club music, funk music, and of course, a heavy dose of rock ’n’ roll. The Peas continue their reputation for guitar-propelled party anthems with “Don’t Phunk With My Heart,” “Disco Club,” and the Dick Dale-sampling “Pump It.” Additionally, there are few groups more at home with global diversity, and the Peas have no trouble embracing the mellow vibes of Hawaiian folkie Jack Johnson (“Gone Going”), then shifting into “Bebot,” a Filipino rap led by group member apl.de.ap. Even as <i>Monkey Business</i> moves Black Eyed Peas further than ever from their hip-hop roots, “Like That,” “Feel It,” and “Ba Bump” show that they have not forgotten how to rock the rap faithful. The album bears the mark of virtuoso musical maestro will.i.am, but Fergie is its breakout star. Only she could have kept pace with Justin Timberlake for the breathlessly sexy “My Style,” while she turns “My Humps” into the kind of irritating-yet-undeniable dance hit that only comes along once in a career.
