Yesterday

Album: Single release only (2015)
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Songfacts®:

  • Will.i.am, Taboo and apl.de.ap formed the Black Eyed Peas in Los Angeles back in 1995. This song, released in July 2015 on the 20th anniversary of their debut, pays homage to the 1990s hip-hop artists and albums that inspired the group. It incorporates samples from records by Wu-Tang Clan ("Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F--k Wit"), N.W.A. ("Straight Outta Compton") and Ol'Dirty Bastard ("Shimmy Shimmy Ya").
  • Where's Fergie? The singer does not feature on the track as she didn't join the Peas until their 2003 album Elephunk.
  • Most of the video takes place in a record store and inserts will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo into the old vinyl art of the rap legends that they were referencing. Erykah Badu pointed out that her video for 2007's "Honey" has a similar concept in which the R&B singer found herself in the album covers for some classic R&B & Hip-Hop acts. She wrote on Twitter: "I think THE BLACK EYES PEAS borrowed my idea a Lil lol ...
    I'm gone beat up Will I AM.
    I wrote and directed this joint. Won best director @ VMA's.. So I understand, ..."

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