Monkey Business

Black Eyed Peas

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 7, 2005)
• Original Release Date: June 7, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: A&M
• ASIN: B00096S3RC
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (435 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #929 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > West Coast
  #5 in	Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Experimental Rap
  #19 in	Music > Pop > Pop Rap

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
As with their last hit, Elephunk, Black Eyed Peas' new disc Monkey Business is a joyful cross-genre journey with musical props to hip-hop, rock, folk, funk, and pop. The reason the Black Eyed Peas have audience appeal that crosses over many styles is because the band members are such obvious fans of diverse music. Nowhere is this more apparent than on Monkey Business’s high-profile guest list. After Justin Timberlake’s contribution to the massive "Where Is the Love" breakout hit from Elephunk, their inclusion of big names once again was a smart, respectful move on the part of the band as well as their guests. "My Style" is Timberlake’s BEP foray number two; while the song is funky pop fun, those looking to hear Justin in the forefront are likely to be disappointed, as his vocals are mixed evenly, no sweet soulful solos this time. Other guests of note are Jack Johnson, who cowrote the bling-bashing "Gone Going," Sting on "Union" (sonically inspired by the former Police-man’s "Englishman in New York"), while funk legend James Brown contributes to a scorching soul track dubbed "They Don’t Want Music." The contribution of female vocalist Fergie--who joined the band partway through their last CD--has raised up considerably on the band’s fourth disc, their second as a quartet. Sassily fronting her way through songs like "My Humps," the "Hey Mama"-esque "Dum Diddly" and the first single "Don’t Phunk With My Heart," Fergie’s melodic contributions make for a record that will likely be heard by wider audiences than ever, making this a truly accessible ‘hip-pop’ CD. --Denise Sheppard

Recommended Black Eyed Peas Discography

Behind the Front

Bridging the Gap

Elephunk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 143 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yes! I Want Music!, June 7, 2005

By	Amanda Richards "Modest to the extreme" (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

A big phunky follow up to 2003's Elephunk from a group that invented and perfected a revolutionary new hip hop beat. With their trademark crazy lyrics, irresistible dance beats and catchy hooks, along with their unmistakable appeal and charisma, will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo and Fergie come across as fresh, different, and let's face it, interesting.

The album blasts off with an aptly named heart-pumper called "Pump It", and then smoothly slides into their first hit "Don't Phunk With My Heart", a dance floor conquering song. The next single may well be "My Style", thanks to the input of Justin Timberlake who was a lucky charm on the last album with "Where is the Love?"

The funniest song of the album is "My Humps", and another good one is "Dum Diddley" which adapts a Caribbean beat similar to Akon's "Belly Dancer". For a '70s trip down memory lane you can try "Feel It", and for a real old time funk experience you can't beat "They Don't Want Music" featuring the one and only James Brown.

Another interesting combination can be found on "Gone Going Gone" with Jack Johnson, and Sting's input on "Union" is unmistakable for anyone familiar with his "Englishman in New York".

Coming behind "Elephunk" this one does not disappoint, and is an "Audio Delite" at any fidelity.

Amanda Richards, June 7, 2005

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too Bad I Can't Give it Zero Stars, August 15, 2005

By	Andrew Britt "Andrew Britt" (Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Yeah, that's right. I know I'm among the few giving it one star amongst all of these people raving about how great this album is. Honestly people. The music has been done, there are no surprises. What I'm trashing most about this album is the lyrics. I'm not one to shy away from music based on lyrics, but this takes the take for Worst Lyrics Ever, and that's saying something. Has anyone read the lyrics to "My Humps?" Just looking at the song titles gives you an idea of how dumb the lyrics will be (Don't Phunk With my Heart). Really, what were they thinking. I've only got one reasonable explanation to why they're so popular. They sold their souls. There's no other plausable explanation other than that. Thanks a lot Satan.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Worst Release of 2005, December 29, 2005

By	Daniel Brian "Music Prostitute" (N.H.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's hard to believe that once upon a time, in 1998, the Black Eyed Peas could out funk the Fugees and could have been considered the new De La Soul. "Selling Out" seems like a term of the past and a consequence that few care about these days but in 2004, with the addition of female vocalist Fergie and the release of Elephunk, it became immediately obvious the group had become a capitalistic whore.

Now in 2005, our radios and our ears were graced with nothing less than inane tripe from the Black Eyed Peas and their latest release Monkey Business. The first single "Don't Phunk With My Heart" was not bad in comparison to the onslaught of singles off of Elephunk that would often cause paralysis and people to punch infants. But it was with the release of "My Humps" that the Black Eyed Peas became an immediate danger to our society. "My Humps" is pro-actively damaging to our youth, not only by leaving "lady lumps" of tumors in kids' heads that are bound show up on MRIs down the road but also by leaving faux impressions scorched into their skulls of what decent pop music is.