Despite what you may think -2003’s Elephunk is *not* The Black Eyed Peas’ debut record. Will i am, taboo and apl de ap recorded and released two full major label albums before making it big; 1998’s “Behind the Front” and 2000’s “Bridging the Gap”. Both records, while critically well-reviewed, and loved by hipster hip-hop heads, had little to no success on the charts, and looked nothing like the Black Eyed Peas of today. 
Original lead singer Kim Hill left the group soon after the release of “Bridging the Gap", leaving the Peas open to a new style, and a new female voice of the band.
By mid-2001 A&M president Ron Fair approached the band and suggested that a change in style could be exactly what the band needed - he also suggested someone like Justin Timberlake for a chorus feature - but the song almost never saw the light of day.
Join Myles Galloway as he tells you the true story behind the Black Eyed Peas' iconic 'Where is the Love?".
Listen to NEW Episodes of Encore: The Stories Behind The Songs You Love every Thursday on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your Podcasts.