Pea gets a pod of his own

HE’S A MEMBER of the global chart-topping sensation the Black Eyed Peas, but Taboo is also an accomplished dancer, actor and author, and he’s quickly becoming a DJ sensation. His solo performance is interactive, bringing his DJ talents to the forefront and blending them with high-energy dance, MC’ing, crowd interaction and song. 

And Taboo is bringing his the sensational performance to Bangkok next weekend, at Bas.

The LA-born 38-year-old rapper is of Mexican and Shoshone Native American ancestry. In 1995 Taboo – real name Jaime Luis Gomez – joined an underground hip-hop group called ATBAN: A Tribe Beyond a Nation, led by will.i.am and Filipino-born American rapper apl.de.ap. 

After changing the group’s name to the Black Eyed Peas, they chose to perform with a live band and adopted a musical and clothing style that differed wildly from the “gangsta rap” sounds of Los Angeles-based hip-hop acts at the |time. Taboo is known |primarily for his guttural spoken reprises of the last few words of a sung lyric, as well as emphatic flourishes between vocal parts. 

When the final member, Fergie, completed the outfit in 2003, the Black Eyed Peas soared to global superstardom with chart-toppers and dance-floor fillers such as “ My Hump”, “Don’t Phunk with My Heart”, “Boom Boom Pow Pow” and “I Gotta Feeling”. 

The Peas were the second-best-selling artist of all time for downloaded tracks, with more than 42 million sales as of the end of 2011. They ranked 12th on Billboard’s Chart Artist of the Decade and seventh in the Hot 100 Artists of the Decade. At the 2010 Grammy Awards they won three trophies from six nominations. 

The group is currently on a break, giving each member time to thrive on solo projects. Asked about his show, Taboo describes it as “an open format”. 

“I like to call it ‘the Taboo Experience” and DJing is one part of it. There’s also a performance element where I’m incorporating my own material, some of the songs that I’ve done on my own. I felt like I needed to incorporate something other than just DJing. I have local b-boys or dancers come onstage with me, and we do a couple different dance sections as a visual. We also have really good visuals behind us, as far as the LED screens.”

Now working on his debut solo album, Taboo in his music incorporates his Latino roots alongside his passion for beat-driven dance music with rhythms that get the whole room moving.

The music video for Taboo’s song “One Heart, One Beat”, released last year, was a protest against Arizona’s legislation against illegal immigration. The track featured top stars Dolores Huerta, Eva Longoria, Oscar de la Hoya, Shakira and Juanes. 

For the Bangkok gig, local favourites the Bangkok Invaders are supporting Taboo along with DJ Tony B. 

 

>>> Catch Taboo at Bash on Sukhumvit Soi 11 next Friday, September 20, at 11.30pm. 

>>>Tickets with a drink cost Bt1,200 at www.Amiando.com/CBUWTBJ, Q Bar and Pronto Denim outlets at Terminal 21, Central Ladprao and Siam Paragon. 

>>> Call (092) 389 7593; [email protected]