060909 The E.N.D. is Near

060909 The E.N.D. is Near

The E.N.D. set for June 9th release on Interscope - first new studio album in four years, since worldwide 9 million-selling Monkey Business

'BOOM BOOM POW' FIRST NEW SINGLE - GOES TO TOP 40, RHYTHM CROSSOVER AND CLUBS

NEW YORK, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- After a four-year break between studio albums, three-time Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum Interscope recording group The Black Eyed Peas are back with The E.N.D.. The Black Eyed Peas' fifth studio album is set to arrive June 9, 2009. "Boom Boom Pow," the first new single from the album, will be serviced to Top 40 and Rhythm Crossover radio and clubs.

"We wanted to make a record that would make people dance," reveals will.i.am. In conjunction with the release of The E.N.D., plans call for The Black Eyed Peas to kick off a world tour playing the same global territories they covered over the past five years. Dates will begin to be announced in the weeks and months ahead.

The E.N.D. is the Black Eyed Peas' first original new album since Monkey Business (released May 2005), with sales of over 4 million in the U.S. and worldwide sales of more than 9 million copies. Monkey Business generated Grammy Awards over two consecutive years, when the RIAA gold single "Don't Phunk with My Heart" won Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group at the 2006 ceremonies; and the RIAA platinum single "My Humps" won Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group in 2007. "My Humps" also won the MTV VMA for Best Hip-Hop Video in 2006.

The intervening three years encompassed a hugely successful solo album from Fergie (The Dutchess, her worldwide 6 million-selling solo debut of 2006 is approaching 13 million in total digital downloads) and a solo release from Producer Of the Year Grammy nominee will.i.am (2007's Songs About Girls), plus two world tours and a live performance DVD (2006's Live From Sydney To Vegas). Of special note is will's involvement in the 2008 Presidential campaign of Barack Obama, whose song, "Yes We Can" was written by will.i.am, as well as the two post-election anthems, "It's A New Day" and "America's Song." For further information and video clips, go to www.dipdive.com.

There were also several notable movie soundtrack contributions over the past four years, including will.i.am's recent collaboration with Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer on the score of 2008's Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. will also lent his voice to the film's animated character Moto Moto. Look for starring roles in upcoming films from Fergie (Nine), will.i.am (X-men Origins: Wolverine) and Taboo (Streetfighter).

With worldwide sales in excess of 26 million units and a total of 11 Grammy Award nominations, The Black Eyed Peas are one of the most successful recording groups. Based in Los Angeles, original members will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo released their first album in 1998, Behind The Front (though will and apl were rapping together for ten years before that). Bridging The Gap, the second Black Eyed Peas album, arrived in 2000.

With 2003's breakthrough album Elephunk, and Fergie's entry into the lineup, the Peas became international superstars. The album spun off the worldwide #1 hit "Where Is the Love," "Shut Up," "Hey Mama," and "Let's Get It Started," which won The Black Eyed Peas their first Grammy Award, for Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group. Monkey Business extended and surpassed its predecessor, fueled by the back-to-back chart sensations "Don't Phunk With My Heart" and "My Humps." As the group stayed on the road in 2006, the 8-track EP Renegotiations: The Remixes was issued and the touring was chronicled on Live From Sydney To Vegas, the full-length live performance DVD. To date, they have logged 222 headline tour dates in 29 countries with 1.5 million tickets sold.

The E.N.D. now begins the next chapter - and the next decade - in the career of The Black Eyed Peas.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Interscope Records

CONTACT: Hillary Siskind, +1-212-841-8055, Hillary.Siskind@umusic.com,
or Lisa DiAngelo, +1-212-841-8047, Lisa.DiAngelo@umusic.com, both of
Interscope Records, for The Black Eyed Peas

Web Site: http://www.dipdive.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment