Friday 11th August 2006
Debut solo single LONDON BRIDGE September 11th 2006
Debut solo album THE DUTCHESS September 18th 2006
We should all have expected big things from Fergie. After all, she announced her arrival to the world with the monster-hit 'Where Is The Love?' and in one fell swoop turned underground hip hop crew the Black Eyed Peas into one of the biggest acts on the planet.
In the three years since then, the Peas have sold 18 million records worldwide, including an amazing 2.5 million in the UK. But that was the past and the future is all about Fergie, modern day pop superhero.
Fergie’s recent stints in the UK (much of the work for the album was done in a Chiswick studio) have obviously had an impact on her. The video for debut single 'London Bridge' was shot on the Thames and at the Woolwich army barracks, but the highlight is probably Fergie sporting a pair of union flag pants. The track itself is the sort of monster club hit that comes along only once a year, all pounding horn ‘n’ drums, sirens and Fergie’s familiar mix of jaw-dropping vocals and sassy rapping.
Fergie sings about how far she’s come on the smooth-as-silk 'Glamorous', an ode to luxury living with a freakily distorted rap from Ludacris, while on ballad 'Make Up Song (All That I Got)' she draws heavily on Motown-era Diana Ross. The album is also home to one of the best beats of the year on 'Clumsy', a piercing electronic beep giving way to a singalong chorus of “the girl can’t help it”.
Sitting in the Executive Producer chair on 'The Dutchess' is Black Eyed Peas’ Will.I.Am and the album will be released on A&M/Will.I.Am. The BEP founder is flying high at the moment with his production talents being shown on Busta Rhymes’ hit 'I Love My Chick' and the forthcoming Justin Timberlake album. But it’s band-mate and superstar in waiting Fergie that he’s put his heart and soul into.
The release of 'The Dutchess' by no means spells the end of the Peas and the band will be on tour all over the world for the rest of 2006, with Fergie performing some of her solo tracks within the set. But for the time being at least, it’s Fergie’s time to shine.
David Jensen Photography:
https://www.davidjensen.co.uk/
