In an era of an ever-changing music industry that’s defined by diminishing expectation, where a “successful” career means having one, maybe two hit records; The Black Eyed Peas are a glorious exception. They have become one of the best-selling, most popular and most innovative groups for over a decade. They have transformed themselves from a beloved backpack rap troop from the West Coast Underground into fully-fledged, massive global superstars whose music can be heard in any country around the world. They’ve done this the right way: creating albums that are more innovative than the last; which has translated into each new album being more popular than the last. And in following this pattern, The Black Eyed Peas – will.i.am, Fergie, Taboo and apl.de.ap – are releasing their sixth full-length album, The Beginning.

The Beginning follows on the heels of 2009’s The E.N.D., BEP’s most popular and most creative album to date – and the album that reaffirmed their singular status as global music icons. The E.N.D sold more than 11 million copies worldwide; it entered the Billboard Top 200 Chart at #1 outperforming their previous cd, Monkey Business– an unheard of feat in this day and age. It yielded 5 Top 10 singles (the first album to do so in 20 years), spent an entire year in the Billboard Top 200 Chart, and earned the group 3 new Grammy Awards, for a total of six Grammy Awards they’ve won. In all, they’ve sold 29 million records worldwide (plus over 30-million digital tracks). They’ve sold over 3-million tickets and headlined over 300 different tour dates in 29 different countries. Simply put, there doesn’t exist another contemporary artist or group who can come close to their sustained success.

It’s how The Black Eyed Peas have achieved that success that is the most rewarding part of their story: through constant innovation. The Peas never follow contemporary trends in music, but rather create their own – soundtracking everyday emotions with new musical styles. They seem to always be one-step ahead of everyone else, but still remain effortlessly accessible to anyone who likes to nod their head. The E.N.D., was a perfect example of that. Invigorated by the energy of the underground club scene, the Peas found a way to mix hip-hop with the rhythms and beats of house, electro and techno music – and turn it into pop music. It’s a sound no one had created before, and quick scan of the dozens of R&B and pop singles on the radio today will reveal just how much of an impact the Peas made on pop music.

Now, however, comes The Beginning to up the ante. The Beginning does not signal a new start for the group, will not provoke talk of a rebirth. In fact, musically, The Beginning taps very much into the dance-club energy perfected on The E.N.D., albeit with a more sophisticated pop and electronic music palette. The Beginning, rather, is a reference to the world at large, right here at this very moment in time – new methods of communicating, new methods of broadcasting are connecting the world in ways never before imaginable. It’s created an exciting time – for making music, for creating – and it’s invigorated the group.