Black Eye Peas Spend Most Weeks at Number 1 on Billboard Charts

It may seem odd, given that the Black Eyed Peas are not even within sniffing distance of the rarified air in which such bands as the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, the Eagles, U2, R.E.M., the Rolling Stones and literally scores of other bands and performers reside, but the former group has just set a record for the most weeks at the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 singles charts. As inexplicable as it is – perhaps more a comment on what passes for music in the modern day than any superior ability – the Black Eyed Peas have spent 20 consecutive weeks at the top of the charts. Will.i.am, leader of the "band," was gratified with the news.

"There’s a part of me that wants to be cocky," said the 34-year-old musician, "but then I can’t be cocky. There’s a part of me that wants to call out all of my other peers and competitors. I don’t want to say no names because I’m not like that, but part of me want to do that. And would it be wrong if I did that? Yes, it would. I’m not like that." Indeed, Will.i.am, indeed.

The Black Eyed Peas gained their 20 consecutive weeks, besting hundreds of superior bands and performers in the process, but having "Boom Boom Pow" sit at the top of the charts for 12 consecutive weeks and then having "I Gotta Feeling" take over for 8 consecutive weeks. Said Will.i.am, "I knew that ‘Boom Boom Pow’ would be big in the clubs, but I didn’t know it would be that potent with the world, outside of the club. So that my accountant’s aunt would be like: ‘Black Eyed Peas, I love ‘Boom Boom Pow!’ I didn’t know it was going to be that. I didn’t know that teachers would say I like ‘Boom Boom Pow.’" Yes, Will.i.am, that is odd indeed. But, then again, modern music is not exactly an endeavor that requires a surplus of skill.