Black Eyed Peas

Boom Boom Pow…Your Pride

As the Grammy season comes upon us, we are reminded of one of our favorite Grammy Award-winning groups, the Black Eyed Peas. Comprised of will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo and Fergie, the group has been nominated for a total of eighteen Grammys and won six of them. Last year, the group premiered a new song titled “Awesome,” which was featured in the 2015 NBA playoff commercials and also released a song through Apple Music for their 20^th Anniversary called “Yesterday.” We found their friendship with each other and their perspective refreshing. When we sat down with Black Eyed Peas in 2004, we talked about God, miracles and how they combat pride.

The Black Eyed Peas mention God quite a bit in their lyrics, so we were interested in whom they believe God is. Their responses were just as unique as each of the individuals that comprise the group.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14: 6

I believe that God is everything, the space between you and me, the space between Earth and Mars, between sun moon and stars. –will.i.am

We pray before we go on stage…but we don’t say like, ‘Our Father which art in Heaven’…I’m not religious, I’m spiritual, because around the world there are so many different beliefs, and who’s to say that those beliefs are wrong. I tap into spiritually in the moment that I’m performing. Whatever god is, that’s what I was put on earth to do. For that minute that I’m up there, it’s an energy back-and-forth. They’re responding to that energy and I’m responding to them. –Taboo

Regardless of what we believe, God reveals himself to us through miracles and His Holy Spirit. For the Black Eyed Peas, each of them had experienced different types of miracles – some the blessing of life and others overcoming a trial.

“How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” Hebrews 2:3-4

My son is a miracle to me. I was only 18 when I had him. I was just a little kid as well. His birth affected me, for that point on my whole life was turned upside down. –Taboo

I feel that this last year was a miracle, all the work, all the blessings. – apl.de.ap

As a collective, they’ve been the hardest, ‘cuz we’ve been through a lot, from infidelity to alcohol to harder drugs, to lying, being ashamed of the things that I’ve done…I’m speaking for myself, going to counseling. Stuff like that, seeing my friends destroy themselves and being there with support. But so far we’ve grown out of it and what came out of it is a miracle. – Will.i.am

The group has sold an estimated 76 million records (35 million albums and 41 million singles), making them one of the world’s best-selling groups of all time. In addition to all the awards they have won, they have also performed all over the world including the Superbowl, FIFA World Cup and a flash mob on the Oprah Winfrey show. In spite of all their accomplishments, we appreciated their insight on humility and the importance of checking their pride.

“The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” Proverbs 16:17-19

I try to combat ego by remembering where I came from, and how tomorrow we could be back where we started. IF you’ve been a victim and your heart’s been stabbed a million times, then you can’t blame anyone else. One day you’re going to hit a mirror and it’s going to be you in there. That happened to me. You know, the last thing was a reflection of myself. It was me that had done the majority of the damage. Living in the projects, Nothing is promised, tomorrow is not promised, and knowing that fact alone will tame your ego. I’m not saying that I’m perfect or that my ego doesn’t get out of line, but a lot of the time I’ll whip it back into place. –Will.i.am

Risen Reflections

Who do you believe God is? You may be trying to figure out your faith and what you believe. It is okay to ask questions. It will make your faith stronger. We recommend these resources: Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell, Case for Christ by Lee Strobel and More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell. Both Josh and Lee were atheists and while they were trying to disprove the existence of God, they found Him. The books are also great to share with friends who are seeking.

Have you experienced a miracle? God is constantly revealing himself to us through creation, experiences and events. Take a moment and reflect on how God has revealed Himself to you.

How do you check your pride? For the Black Eyed Peas, they remember where they have come from, for others it is having friends around that can hold them accountable.

Do you have a friend that you can share Christ with? Whether it is a classmate, neighbor or family member, God places people all around us that need to hear about a relationship with Him. Take time to sit down with them and understand what they believe and share the Gospel.

To check out our entire interview with will.i.am click here.