Studio Album · No. 1
Behind the Front Songwriting Credits by Black Eyed Peas
Produced by will.i.am, Brian Lapin
Interscope / Ruthless Records
Hip HopAlternative Hip Hop
100%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 16 of 16 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 16 / 16 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 16 tracks with documented writers, by whether Black Eyed Peas carries a lyricist or composer credit.
16 trackswritten by Black Eyed Peas
0 tracksoutside writers
Black Eyed Peas's roles on this album
Share of the 16 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
16
Tracks
25
Lyricists
4
Producers
1998
Released
Data Insight
Behind the Front is the conscious-rap debut of Black Eyed Peas, recorded by the pre-Fergie lineup of will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, and singer Kim Hill. will.i.am produced the bulk of the record, building live-band arrangements that pushed against the gangsta rap dominating 1998. Most of the tracks are group co-writes, with the trio of MCs trading verses on positivity-minded cuts like "Joints & Jam" and "Fallin' Up."
Behind the Front is Black Eyed Peas' debut studio album, released June 30, 1998. Recorded with the original three-piece lineup of will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo before Fergie joined the group, it represents the group's underground alternative hip-hop roots. The album was produced almost entirely by will.i.am and reflects a raw, sample-heavy sound. While it generated positive critical reception and cult following, commercial success was limited.
Track Listing & Credits 16 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Fallin' Up
|
will.i.amapl.de.apTabooKevin FeyenBrian Lapin | William AdamsAllan PinedaJaime GomezKevin FeyenBrian Lapin | will.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals) |
| 2 |
Clap Your Hands
|
will.i.amapl.de.apTabooJoseph ModelisteArthur NevilleLeo NocentelliGeorge Porter Jr. | William AdamsAllan PinedaJaime GomezJoseph ModelisteArthur NevilleLeo NocentelliGeorge Porter Jr. | will.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals) |
| 3 |
Joints & Jam
#53
|
will.i.amapl.de.apTabooPaul PoliGregory PhillinganesBarry GibbBusta Rhymes | William AdamsAllan PinedaJaime GomezPaul PoliGregory PhillinganesBarry GibbTrevor George Smith Jr. | Paul Poliwill.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals) |
| 4 |
The Way U Make Me Feel
|
will.i.amKim HillCarlos Guaico | William AdamsKim HillCarlos Guaico | Carlos Guaicowill.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals)Kim Hill (Featured Vocals) |
| 5 |
Movement
|
will.i.amapl.de.apTabooKevin FeyenBrian LapinMike FratantunoTerence Yoshiaka | William AdamsAllan PinedaJaime GomezKevin FeyenBrian LapinMike FratantunoTerence Yoshiaka | will.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals) |
| 6 |
Karma
|
will.i.amapl.de.apKevin FeyenDebbie HarryNigel Harrison | William AdamsAllan PinedaKevin FeyenDebbie HarryNigel Harrison | will.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals) |
| 7 |
Be Free
|
will.i.amapl.de.apTim Peter StahlJohn Goldberg | William AdamsAllan PinedaTim Peter StahlJohn Goldberg | will.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals) |
| 8 |
Say Goodbye
|
will.i.amapl.de.apTabooKevin FeyenBrian LapinMichael Oliver | William AdamsAllan PinedaJaime GomezKevin FeyenBrian LapinMichael Oliver | will.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals) |
| 9 |
Duet
|
will.i.amapl.de.apStefan Kendal GordyBrian LapinKevin Feyen | William AdamsAllan PinedaStefan Kendal GordyBrian LapinKevin Feyen | will.i.amBrian Lapin | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals) |
| 10 |
Communication
|
will.i.amapl.de.apKevin FeyenMike FratantunoTerence Yoshiaka | William AdamsAllan PinedaKevin FeyenMike FratantunoTerence Yoshiaka | will.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals) |
| 11 |
What It Is
|
will.i.amapl.de.apMike FratantunoTom BrowneBusta Rhymes | William AdamsAllan PinedaMike FratantunoTom BrowneTrevor George Smith Jr. | will.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals) |
| 12 |
¿Que Dices?
|
will.i.amapl.de.apTabooKevin FeyenBrian Lapin | William AdamsAllan PinedaJaime GomezKevin FeyenBrian Lapin | will.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals) |
| 13 |
A8
|
will.i.amapl.de.apTabooKevin FeyenMike Fratantuno | William AdamsAllan PinedaJaime GomezKevin FeyenMike Fratantuno | will.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals) |
| 14 |
Love Won't Wait
|
will.i.amapl.de.apMacy GrayKevin FeyenBrian Lapin | William AdamsAllan PinedaMacy GrayKevin FeyenBrian Lapin | will.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals)Macy Gray (Featured Vocals) |
| 15 |
Head Bobs
|
will.i.amapl.de.apKevin FeyenBrian Lapin | William AdamsAllan PinedaKevin FeyenBrian Lapin | Brian Lapinwill.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals) |
| 16 |
Positivity
|
will.i.amapl.de.apTabooKevin FeyenBrian LapinMike Fratantuno | William AdamsAllan PinedaJaime GomezKevin FeyenBrian LapinMike Fratantuno | will.i.am | will.i.am (Vocals)apl.de.ap (Vocals)Taboo (Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 29 contributors
W
will.i.am
Writer · Producer · Vocals
WA
William Adams
Writer
AP
Allan Pineda
Writer
A
apl.de.ap
Writer · Vocals
KF
Kevin Feyen
Writer
BL
Brian Lapin
Writer · Producer
JG
Jaime Gomez
Writer
T
Taboo
Writer · Vocals
MF
Mike Fratantuno
Writer
BR
Busta Rhymes
Writer
TY
Terence Yoshiaka
Writer
TG
Trevor George Smith Jr.
Writer
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Frequently Asked Questions Behind the Front
When was Black Eyed Peas' Behind the Front released?
Behind the Front, the debut studio album by Black Eyed Peas, was released on June 30, 1998, through Interscope Records.
Who was in Black Eyed Peas when Behind the Front was recorded?
The album features the early lineup of will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, with singer Kim Hill providing vocals. Fergie had not yet joined the group.
Who produced Behind the Front?
will.i.am produced most of Behind the Front, with additional production from Paul Poli, C-Los, and Brian Lapin.
What was the lead single from Behind the Front?
"Joints & Jam" was the album's most prominent single and reached number 53 on the UK Singles Chart. It also appeared on the Bulworth soundtrack.
What genre is Behind the Front?
Behind the Front is an alternative hip hop record. It leans on live instrumentation and conscious, positivity-driven lyrics rather than the gangsta rap that dominated the era.
Is "Fallin' Up" on Behind the Front?
Yes. "Fallin' Up" opens the album and was an early single for Black Eyed Peas, introducing the group's upbeat, message-focused style.
How many tracks are on Behind the Front?
Behind the Front contains 16 tracks, including interludes and the closer "Positivity."
Did Black Eyed Peas write the songs on Behind the Front?
Most of the songs are credited as group compositions, with will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo co-writing the material together.