Black Eyed Peas: Will.i.am (vocals, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, Hammond B-3 organ, Moog synthezizer, programming); Apl.de.ap (programming); Taboo.
Additional personnel includes: Wyclef Jean (vocals, guitar); De La Soul,
Mos Def, Macy Gray, Les Nubians, Chali 2Na, Esthero, Kim Hill (vocals); Michaelangelo Fratantuno (guitar); Kevin Torfeh, Susanna Giordano, Roberto Cani, Susan Chatman (strings); Pritz Board (trumpet, Hammond B-3 organ, Moog synthesizer); Jose Espinoza, Eulises Bella, Asoru Sierra (horns); Jerry Duplessis, Miles Taket (bass); DJ Motive (cuts).
Producers includes: Will Adams, DJ Premier, Wyclef Jean, Rhett Lawrence, Apl.de.ap.
Engineers include: Eddie Sancho, Dexter Thibeau, Dejuana Richardson.
Black Eyed Peas represent the kind of progressive hip-hop approach associated with bands such as A Tribe Called Quest or the Roots. While their straight-up rapping skills are indisputable, it's the group's quirky arrangements, production style, and preference for live tracks instead of pre-programmed ones that sets them apart from the pack.
Throughout BRIDGING THE GAP, the trio makes it clear that they're on a mission to take hip-hop to a smarter, more sophisticated place. This is accomplished almost as much by what they don't do as by what they do. They spend a lot of time talking about unification and other high-minded ideals, and distancing themselves from any notions of violence. They also take care to collaborate with artists they consider like-minded, including De La Soul, Wyclef, and Macy Gray. BRIDGING THE GAP's mix of funk, rap, pop, and soul is a strong brew when combined with the Black Eyed Peas' often-heady lyrical sentiments.
What the critics say...
Rolling Stone (10/12/00, p.90) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A more organic-feeling representation of their considerable skills and vision. Uncluttered but muscular production, deft samples and smart rhymes ensure repeated listenings..."
Q (11/00, p.101) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Right-on rapping....their Hispanic-flavored style constantly edges between sounding cool and simply withdrawn..."
Mixmag (9/00, p.169) - 3 out of 5 - "...Original, funked-up music....BRIDGING THE GAPS is another little gem..."
The Source (12/00, pp.240-2) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...BEP fine-tune their aesthetic. They integrate coffee-shop soul with disco-ball grooves, using spacey electronics and soft analog samples to interlace their aural space. the sound is familair and still refreshingly original..."
