The Black Eyed Peas' debut, Behind the Front, may sound thoroughly familiar: like A Tribe Called Quest, they sprout positive, deftly delivered lyrics out of their light jazz, R&B, and funk tracks; like the Roots, this multi-ethnic outfit's three MCs drop science in front of a live band that builds its grooves organically; and at their best, such as on the pop and reggae-flavored "Karma," the group can out-Fugee the Fugees. For some reason, though, the mostly mild, largely scratchless and sample-free record can--at times--be downright tepid. But for the most part, it works--sometimes brilliantly--and as a break from the mostly belligerent voices in hip-hop's mainstream, we can definitely use more of what the Peas have to offer. --Roni Sarig

Another better group got the deal from the underground, where conscious and dedicated artists have always been since the birth of the hip hop--simply, that was the first impression of Black Eyed Peas when they released their first album, Behind The Front, in 1998. The scene enjoyed their attitude trying to inherit the hip hop sprit, criticizing the superficial image--"I see you try to diss our function by stating that we can't rap. Is it cause we don't wear Tommy Hilfiger or baseball caps" ("Falling Up"). However, the album is monotonous and raw due to lack of variety in MC styles and beats. Fast and plain raps on light funk continue without significant changes in contents and moods. Skits, which would disappear in next album and later, make it more tiresome.

Black Eyed Peas have been making a name for themselves by selling to the non-intellectuals, with dumbed down lyrics, lame beats, and annoying vocals. Only in America is this the formula for certain success. Just when you thought that no band could cause an aneurysm more than Gwen Stefani, it looks like Black Eyed Peas has become number one.

The Black Eyed Peas (before they became huge) used to be good. Really good. 'Behind the Front' is quite simply one of the best pure hip-hop albums I've heard in my lifetime. The beats are incredibly catchy, yet they're not the typical kind of recycled beat garbage you hear on their Elephunk and Monkey Business albums. These beats are fresh, lively. I would heartily recommend this album to ANYONE. Not just lovers of hip hop. Anyone who enjoys really groovy beats and adequate lyrics will love this album.

I suppose I can't blame BEP for selling out. Their first two albums were great, but they were getting no exposure, so they did what needed to be done (added Fergie and started putting out garbage) in order to make money. I'll just always wonder what might have been....

The first time I ever saw The Black Eyed Peas incredible
live show was in the summer of 1998 in NYC, and the
next day I was at the Virgin Megastore buying this album.."Behind The Front"!!
I was hooked and turned everyone I knew on to them!
This was (to me) when "Da' Peas" were at their best...
before the addition of Fergie and that sing-songy
commercial BS that they do now!
I love everything on this CD, including the little
game-show-like snipets which link the songs together.
It was funky, funny, trippy, hip-hop and even though
alot of people say they had too much "Tribe Called Quest"
in their sound at the time, if you had seen them live back
then you would've known that "Da' Peas" had their own
thing brewin' in a big way!
I would take this one and their follow-up
"Bridging The Gap" over their new stuff any
day of the week!
Okay--"Elephunk" was cool for the most part,
but they were already diluting their funk by then
and were actively seeking a pop audience.
From the new set, aptly named "Monkey Business",
the only one that really moves me is "Don't Lie"
but the rest puts me to sleep!
4-Real!--If you want to feel what BEP was about,
then "Behind The Front" and "Bridging The Gap"
are the ones baby!
Incidentally, there were some hot videos from those
two CD's which got little airplay on MTV, BET or VH-1.
Why do you have to sell your artistic soul and dull
your creativity these days to get acceptance in the pop world?

They went Pop or Rock N roll of whatever that stuff is they are doing. This is a good CD if u dont like a lot of cussing and peaceful type of raps
Lyrics 8/10 Beats 8/10