Atlanta, GA 12/6/2010 10:45:50 PM
Will.i.am’s failed solo album was a learning curve which helped save the Black Eyed Peas.
The singer and producer released ‘Songs About Girls’ in
2007, but it was received with lukewarm reviews and became a commercial
flop, which helped the star learn how to approach the next album with
his main band.
Will.i.am said: “It would have changed everything within the Black Eyed Peas if that album had been successful.
“Because that album did not succeed, it taught me what to do with the Peas and what not to do.”
Will.i.am also explained the record was written entirely about his
ex-girlfriend - whom he broke up with after nine years together - but
was stricken with setbacks including his manager getting fired and his
breaking his foot, which his mother took as a bad omen.
He added: “My mum says, ‘Will, why did you break your foot? You had to
break your foot because you were not supposed to put out that solo
record, and then your manager got fired because you were not supposed
to do it.”
Will.i.am did add, however, the most positive thing to come from ‘Songs
About Girls’ was his meeting UK pop singer Cheryl Cole, who sang guest
vocals on the track ‘Heartbreaker’, and has since forged a strong
working relationship with the star, who has since worked on both of her
solo albums, ‘3 Words’ and ‘Messy Little Raindrops’, and signed her to
his record label in the US.
He added: “The one good thing that came out of that album was Cheryl.
She’s great company to be around, she works hard, she loves music and
she’s not all diva’d out. Cheryl is really down to earth.”
Black Eyed Peas’ single ‘The Time (Dirty Bit)’ is out now.
