Yesterday

Album: Single release only (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Will.i.am, Taboo and apl.de.ap formed the Black Eyed Peas in Los Angeles back in 1995. This song, released in July 2015 on the 20th anniversary of their debut, pays homage to the 1990s hip-hop artists and albums that inspired the group. It incorporates samples from records by Wu-Tang Clan ("Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F--k Wit"), N.W.A. ("Straight Outta Compton") and Ol'Dirty Bastard ("Shimmy Shimmy Ya").
  • Where's Fergie? The singer does not feature on the track as she didn't join the Peas until their 2003 album Elephunk.
  • Most of the video takes place in a record store and inserts will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo into the old vinyl art of the rap legends that they were referencing. Erykah Badu pointed out that her video for 2007's "Honey" has a similar concept in which the R&B singer found herself in the album covers for some classic R&B & Hip-Hop acts. She wrote on Twitter: "I think THE BLACK EYES PEAS borrowed my idea a Lil lol ...
    I'm gone beat up Will I AM.
    I wrote and directed this joint. Won best director @ VMA's.. So I understand, ..."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")Song Writing

Wes Edwards takes us behind the scenes of videos he shot for Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley and Chase Bryant. The train was real - the airplane was not.

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."