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Black Eyed Peas
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Black Eyed Peas, seen at the Super Bowl, heard on NBA commercials, in high rotation on MTV, are almost as ubiquitous in pop culture land as Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton — and almost as annoying.
Finishing the night on the Hot 107.9 stage, the multiracial hip-hop group hit the stage with one aim: to entertain you, whether you liked it or not. With a frenetic eagerness reminiscent of Tom Cruise on “Oprah,” they pumped out the hits, from “Hey Mama” to “Don’t Phunk With My Heart.” They were loud and relentless, with lead singer Will.I.Am feeding the crowd bonus riffs from Kelis, Lil Jon and Terror Squad.
So where is our love? We’ll give them this: 1) They keep a real band, unlike most hip-hop acts, who performed rockin’ guitar solos, a trumpeter and yes, even a flute player. 2) They possess an amazingly Richard Simmons-like positive vibe. 3) Fergie has the energy of a cheerleader gone bad and the pipes to break glass. And 4) they’ll be a great showroom act at the Mandalay Bay in 2028.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Coca-Cola/Verizon Wireless/Hot 107.9/Fox 5 Stage
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By Blackeyed Review
June 13, 2005 10:24 AM | Link to this
Wow. You’ve got more one-liners than Jay Leno, and enough pop culture references to fill a Trivial Pursuit 30th Anniversary edition. Too bad the Entertainment Savvy hasn’t caught up with the rest of the schtick.
When I drop down my $75 bucks at Music Festival, I don’t want to hear a popular band try out new material for 2 hours. I want their hits: loud, fast and fun. And that’s what the Peas gave.
They supplied vast quantities of energy, on a water-soaked night that threatened to dampen spirits. They brought the noise, the funk, and the attitude — and people were digging them. If you wanted a little less frenetic … you could step next door, and mellow out to Tom Petty. Or maybe the Pixies at 99X was more a speed you are looking for.
What your review seems to ignore was the little freestyle interlude that was solid little display of talent, a playlist that included their 1998 beats and their 2005 Monkey Business. And the fact that the Peas were some good old-fashioned fun. But hey, at least you got a “Tom Cruise on Oprah”-line in, I mean no one is using that one these days.
For those that missed the Peas, it is a shame … they put on a great show. For those that missed the review that promped this scathing response, good work. It couldn’t have been more inaccurate.
By peas deux
June 13, 2005 3:26 PM | Link to this
the peas did put on a good show, but you have to question their dramatic departure over the last 5 years from a legitimate hip hop act to full blown pop. i dont even think 107.9 plays their music. not that that’s a complement or a diss.