Overflowing with babbling nonsense like Chingy's "Right Thurr" and other chart-topping garbage, the hip hop world should be thankful for groups like the Black Eyed Peas. A sound for sore ears, its new LP, Elephunk, being the featured performance on WB's Pepsi Smash and having countless air play at nationwide car shows, has boosted it into a legendary status. We joined the group right before it hit the stage at a recent show at the Anaheim, California, House of Blues. The members discussed their path to success, the import car scene, and even went outside to check out Boston Acoustic's project Lexus IS300 owned by Ken Yonemitsu.
Super Street: So, what do you guys drive?
Taboo: I have a Honda Passport on 20s. I'm always looking for parts, so if you could hook me up on some products...
SS: We can give you a pink Super Street sticker. It'll look great on the Passport.
Taboo: Uh, no thanks.
SS: What do you guys like the best about this Lexus?
Will: The interior is the s*?#.
Fergie: I'd love to take it for a ride.
Apl: Know what I want to do? I want to get on top of the roof and break on it.
SS: I don't think that's going to happen. Unless you pay for the damages.
Apl: Nevermind then.
Apl.d.Ap: I don't drive because I can't pass the eye test. But I'd love to drive...if someone could hook me up with a dropped Integra with a spoiler, body kits...you know...hint, hint.
Will.I.Am: I'll drive anything, but I want an Acura NSX. I remember when we used to dream about driving fixed-up Hondas. We'd go to Asian clubs and say, "Dude, I can't wait until we're popular and drive those nice cars. Then all the chicks will like us."
Apl: Yeah, we'd fantasize and pretend we'd be driving with a long-haired bebot [Tagalog slang for female] in a Honda.
SS: Man, we still fantasize about stuff like that. How 'bout you, Fergie?
Fergie: I drive a convertible 5.0 Mustang.
SS: The Vanilla Ice one?
Will: Yeah, she's trying to be retro.
SS: Have you guys watched 2 Fast 2 Furious?
Will: Nah, but that Asian chick is pretty hot.
SS: She's all right, if you like the weird-looking Asian type. Can you describe to our readers the style of music you guys produce?
Apl: We usually define it as progressive hip hop.
SS: What's in your CD changer now?
Apl: I have drum 'n' bass, Roni Size, A Tribe Called Quest, Cyndi Lauper...naw, I'm just kidding.
Fergie: I listen to our old albums. And since I'm a new member, I'm studying the old stuff because I gotta learn all their raps.
SS: Will, why did you add a new member, Fergie, to the group?
Will: So we can get more chicks...I'm joking. We like to sing but we can't sing that good. So instead of having collaborations with other singers, we wanted to keep it in-house, you know. Just seemed right.
Apl: So what's Super Street about?
SS: Super Street is all about the compact performance scene. We have a flurry of wild cars from around the globe and a whole mess of half-naked girls in our book. In fact, most of our readers just look at the pictures.
Apl: I can relate. I always look at those kind of magazines and say: "Damn, that bebot is nice, and this bebot is nice..."
SS: We hear you guys are touring with Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. But we don't understand the whole Justin thing. Homeboy's kinda whack.
Will: Yeah, we've always wanted to be popular, and now we're doing pop tours. It's kinda funny it worked out that way.
SS: Your new LP, Elephunk, is nice as hell. We love that track, "The Apl Song." Apl, can you explain to me why you did that song?
Apl: It's really dedicated to my brother who passed away. And I wanted to share with America the living situation in the Philippines.
SS: That's cool. And the whole album is crazy. Let's check out this Lexus IS300 from Boston Acoustics (www.bostonacoustics.com). What do you guys think?
Apl: That car is dope. They must have spent a lot of money on it.
SS: Yeah, probably up to 20 g's. How do you like the Boston sound system?
Taboo: The system bumps like crazy. Can I get some for my Passport? I like the engine, too; it's clean.