Elephunk

Elephunk
source
Name	Elephunk
Artist	The Black Eyed Peas
Released	June 24, 2003
Recorded	2001–2003
Studio	The Record Plant (Los Angeles), Glenwood Place Studios (Burbank, California)
Genre	Hip hop, pop, dance-pop
Length	57:47
Label	A&M, Interscope
Producer	will.i.am, Ron Fair, Printz Board, Terry Dexter, George Pajon Jr.
Prev title	Bridging the Gap
Prev year	2000
Next title	Monkey Business
Next year	2005

Elephunk. It is the third studio album by American hip hop group The Black Eyed Peas, released on June 24, 2003, through A&M Records and Interscope Records. The album marked a significant commercial and stylistic turning point for the group, introducing singer Fergie as a permanent member and pivoting towards a more pop-oriented sound. Its global success, driven by several international hit singles, transformed the group from underground hip hop act to mainstream pop superstars.

Background and recording

Following the modest commercial performance of their previous album, Bridging the Gap, the group entered a period of creative reassessment. During early recording sessions, longtime member Kim Hill departed, leading to the recruitment of Fergie, who had previously collaborated with will.i.am on the soundtrack for the film Legally Blonde. Primary recording took place between 2001 and 2003 at notable studios including The Record Plant in Los Angeles and Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, California. The production was helmed primarily by will.i.am and executive producer Ron Fair, with key contributions from bandmember Printz Board and guitarist George Pajon Jr..

Composition and musical style

Musically, the album represents a deliberate shift from the group's earlier jazz-influenced alternative hip hop towards a polished fusion of hip hop, pop, and dance-pop. The sound is characterized by upbeat, synth-driven production, prominent melodic hooks, and playful, often socially conscious lyrics. Tracks like "Let's Get It Started" (originally titled "Let's Get Retarded") and "Hey Mama" are built on energetic, club-ready beats, while songs such as "Where Is the Love?" incorporate elements of reggae and folk music, featuring a guest vocal from Justin Timberlake. The album also includes collaborations with artists like Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix on "Anxiety".

Release and commercial performance

The album was first released in Australia on June 24, 2003, followed by a global rollout. Its lead single, "Where Is the Love?", became a worldwide phenomenon, topping the charts in over a dozen countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany, and reaching No. 8 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Subsequent singles "Shut Up", "Hey Mama", and "Let's Get It Started" (which was later promoted as the official anthem for the NBA playoffs) all achieved major international success. The album was certified triple Platinum by the RIAA and has sold over 9 million copies worldwide, revitalizing the group's career.

Critical reception

Initial critical reception was mixed to positive, with some reviewers praising its infectious pop sensibility while others critiqued the departure from the group's earlier sound. Publications like Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly noted the album's crossover appeal and anthemic singles. Over time, its reputation has solidified as a landmark pop-rap crossover record; "Where Is the Love?" in particular has been lauded for its timely social commentary in the post-9/11 era. The album earned the group several major award nominations, including at the Grammy Awards, where "Let's Get It Started" won for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

Track listing

All tracks were produced by will.i.am, with co-production from Ron Fair, Printz Board, and others. # "Hands Up" # "Labor Day (It's a Holiday)" # "Let's Get It Started" # "Hey Mama" # "Shut Up" # "Smells Like Funk" # "Latin Girls" # "Sexy" # "Fly Away" # "The Boogie That Be" # "The Apl Song" # "Anxiety" (featuring Papa Roach) # "Where Is the Love?" (featuring Justin Timberlake)

Personnel

* will.i.am – vocals, production, various instruments * apl.de.ap – vocals * Taboo – vocals * Fergie – vocals * Printz Board – trumpet, keyboards, production * George Pajon Jr. – guitar * Ron Fair – executive production, string arrangements, violin * Justin Timberlake – featured vocals on "Where Is the Love?" * Jacoby Shaddix – featured vocals on "Anxiety" * Recorded and mixed by Dylan "3D" Dresdow, Tim Izo, and others at The Record Plant and Glenwood Place Studios. Category:2003 albums Category:The Black Eyed Peas albums Category:Interscope Records albums