Black Eyed Peas are a hip hop group that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1995. The group is composed of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Will.i.am and vocalists apl.de.ap, Taboo, and Fergie. Since their album Elephunk in 2003, the group\'s hip hop/dance-oriented style has sold an estimated 28 million albums worldwide and 31 million singles. They scored their first worldwide hit with \"Where Is the Love?\" in 2003, which topped over ten charts worldwide. Another single was the European hit \"Shut Up\". Their next album Monkey Business was another worldwide hit, certified 3x Platinum in the U.S., spawning two hit singles \"My Humps\"and \"Don\'t Phunk With My Heart\". In 2009, the group is one of only eleven artists to have ever held the number 1 and 2 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time with their singles \"Boom Boom Pow\" and \"I Gotta Feeling\", from the album The E.N.D., and the singles also topped the chart for an unprecedented 26 consecutive weeks in 2009. The album also includes singles such as \"Meet Me Halfway\", \"Imma Be\", and \"Rock That Body\". Before Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am and apl.de.ap were in a group called The Atban Klann signed to Eazy E\'s Ruthless Records. The Black Eyed Peas was ranked 12th at the Billboard\'s Decade-End Chart Artist of the Decade. They were ranked 7th in Hot 100 Artists of the Decade. \"Where Is the Love?\" is the first single from the Black Eyed Peas\' third album, Elephunk, released in 2003. It was the first single to feature the new member, Fergie. The single peaked at #8 in the USA, becoming The Black Eyed Peas\' first Top 10 hit; the single also peaked at #1 in Australia and the UK. Background and writing Following the commercial failures of their previous albums and singles, there was doubt over whether the Black Eyed Peas would continue to record together. A&R executive Ron Fair approached them and suggested a crossover to a more mainstream pop sound. will.i.am in particular resisted the idea for fear that they would be seen as sellouts. However, after discussions and some writing sessions the idea was pursued. Shortly after Christmas 2001, will.i.am created a loop and a guitar part that he liked. Taboo and Apl.de.ap also heard the track and were able to write similar lyrics over it. Justin Timberlake was allegedly introduced to the band by new band member Fergie, and got a chance to hear the track that will.i.am created. Impressed with the music, Timberlake helped write and sing the chorus. Timberlake was in the midst of promotion of his solo album, Justified, and his label Jive Records was concerned about overexposure. The Peas were worried as that had been the original point of this song, to get some assistance from an established pop star. A compromise was reached eventually in which Jive gave clearance for the vocals of Timberlake to be released on the song. However, Timberlake would not appear in the song\'s music video nor would he be credited on the song as an artist. Lyrics The song was written by Will.I.Am, Taboo, apl.de.ap, Ron Fair, P. Board, G. Pajon Jr, M. Fratantuno, and J. Curtis, and co-produced by will.i.am and Ron Fair. In this anti-war pacifist anthem, The Black Eyed Peas lament on various worldwide problems. Many issues are discussed, which include but are not limited to terrorism, U.S. government hypocrisy, racism, war, intolerance and greed. Some view this song as an anthem against the War on Terror and the 2003 invasion of Iraq since it was released shortly after the invasion began. Reception The song was rewarded with nominations at the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004 for Record of the Year and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. The song was the 25th best-selling single of the 2000s in the UK.It was also the biggest selling single of 2003 in the UK.