Violator was an even bigger hit, featuring the rock-guitar shuffle "Personal Jesus." It was crazy to leave "Sea of Sin" and "Happiest Girl" off the album (both are stuck on the essential World in My Eyes 12-inch). 

 With third member Taboo in tow, they released Behind The Front in 1998, a mix of A Tribe Called Quest-style boho rap, Wyclef-style live tracks and the earliest sketches of their funky party pop.  

 With third member Taboo in tow, they released Behind The Front in 1998, a mix of A Tribe Called Quest-style boho rap, Wyclef-style live tracks and the earliest sketches of their funky party pop.  

 Front was followed by the glossier, eclectic Bridging The Gap (starring the gorgeous Beck-meets-Roots shoulda-been-hit "Request Line" with Macy Gray). But it was't a hit among radio listeners or even hip-hop junkies. 

 Front was followed by the glossier, eclectic Bridging The Gap (starring the gorgeous Beck-meets-Roots shoulda-been-hit "Request Line" with Macy Gray). But it was't a hit among radio listeners or even hip-hop junkies. 

 Freeing themselves from the shackles of playing underground for cred, the Black Eyed Peas made the shiniest pop product imaginable. 

 Freeing themselves from the shackles of playing underground for cred, the Black Eyed Peas made the shiniest pop product imaginable. 

 The Peas flew a little too close to the sun with fourth album, Monkey Business. Sure, they got their two biggest hits at the time–"Don't Phunk With My Heart" and "My Humps"–but it was at the expense of making Lowest Common Denominator pop. 

 The Peas flew a little too close to the sun with fourth album, Monkey Business. Sure, they got their two biggest hits at the time–"Don't Phunk With My Heart" and "My Humps"–but it was at the expense of making Lowest Common Denominator pop. 

 Fergie's solo bid emodies the best and worst aspects of the Peas. 

 Fergie's solo bid emodies the best and worst aspects of the Peas. 

 Will.i.am went down an electro wormhole on Songs About Girls, playing with some of the textures they would eventually unleash on The E.N.D., but with none of that album's enthusiastic abandon.  

 Will.i.am went down an electro wormhole on Songs About Girls, playing with some of the textures they would eventually unleash on The E.N.D., but with none of that album's enthusiastic abandon.  

 With The E.N.D., the Black Eyed Peas finally nailed the spirit of the times, arriving hella late into a three-year wave of electro-pop and AutoTune, but imbuing it with a feel all their own.