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10 Shocking Facts About The Black Eyed Peas’ ‘Get It Started’ Lyrics That Changed Pop History

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The Black Eyed Peas’ "Let's Get It Started" is more than just a party anthem; it is a cultural artifact that marks a pivotal moment in the group's history and the evolution of 21st-century pop music. Released as a single in June 2004, the track became an instant global sensation, cementing the band’s transition from underground hip-hop roots to mainstream dance-pop dominance. The song’s infectious energy and driving electro-beat are undeniable, but a deep dive into its lyrics and origin story reveals a level of controversy and complexity that few casual listeners realize, especially concerning its original, album-version title and meaning.

Today, in late 2025, the song remains a fixture in sports arenas and dance clubs, but its legacy is inextricably linked to the bold decision to change a single, highly sensitive phrase. This article breaks down the song's true lyrical intent, its Grammy-winning success, and the biographical details of the members who delivered this career-defining hit.

The Black Eyed Peas: A Brief Biography and Core Entities

The Black Eyed Peas are an American musical group, originally formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group’s lineup has seen various iterations, but the era of the hit "Let's Get It Started" featured the iconic four-piece: will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, and their then-new female vocalist, Fergie.

  • will.i.am (William James Adams Jr.): Rapper, singer, songwriter, and the primary producer of the group. He is the driving creative force behind the *Elephunk* album’s sound.
  • apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda Lindo): Rapper and founding member, known for his unique flow and Filipino heritage references.
  • Taboo (Jaime Luis Gomez): Rapper and actor, contributing his energetic style and distinct vocal presence.
  • Fergie (Stacy Ann Ferguson): Vocalist and rapper who joined the group for the *Elephunk* era, providing the crucial pop-crossover appeal.
  • Key Album: Elephunk (2003)
  • Record Label: A&M Records / Interscope Geffen Records
  • Executive Producers: Ron Fair and will.i.am
  • Grammy Win: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (2005)
  • Related Singles: "Where Is the Love?", "Shut Up," "Hey Mama"

The addition of Fergie in 2002 marked the beginning of their commercial "crossover" success, fundamentally shifting their sound from conscious hip-hop to a blend of hip-hop, electronic, and dance-pop, with "Let's Get It Started" being a prime example of this new, vibrant direction.

The ‘Let’s Get Retarded’ Controversy: Original Lyrics & West Coast Slang

The most fascinating aspect of the song "Let's Get It Started" is that it is the radio-edited, clean version of the original track found on the 2003 album *Elephunk*, which was titled "Let's Get Retarded."

The Original Intention:

The phrase "Let's Get Retarded" was intended by the group to be used in the context of West Coast hip-hop and slang, where terms like "go dumb" or "get stupid" were used to describe losing all inhibition and going wild on the dance floor. The line was meant to be a high-energy call to action—a way to encourage listeners to completely surrender to the music.

The Pivotal Change:

When the group decided to release the track as a single in 2004, the highly offensive nature of the word "retarded" became a major issue, particularly regarding airplay and commercial partnerships. To ensure the song could be played on mainstream radio and used in major promotional campaigns (such as for the NBA Playoffs), the key phrase was changed to the now-famous, Grammy-winning chorus: "Let's Get It Started."

This decision, while commercially necessary, is a crucial part of the song's legacy, highlighting the tightrope walk between artistic expression and mainstream commercial viability in the early 2000s. The lyrical shift was a masterstroke of marketing, transforming a controversial album cut into a universally acceptable, global party anthem that helped propel the *Elephunk* album to multi-platinum status.

A Deep Lyrical Breakdown: The Energy and Intent

Beyond the chorus, the lyrics of "Let's Get It Started" are a pure celebration of the club experience, focusing on rhythm, movement, and the temporary escape from intellect. The song is structured as a series of hype-filled verses delivered by the male members, with Fergie providing powerful, infectious vocals and ad-libs throughout the track.

Key Lyrical Themes and Entities:

  • The Anti-Intellect Theme: The opening lines set the tone immediately: "We got five minutes for us to disconnect / From all intellect, collect the rhythm effect." This theme of mental release is central to the song, positioning the dance floor as a place for pure, unthinking movement.
  • The Call to Action: The lyrics are filled with direct commands to the listener, using high-energy phrases that became LSI keywords for the genre: "To lose your inhibition, follow your intuition / Free your inner soul and break away from tradition."
  • The Rhyme Scheme and Delivery: will.i.am’s verses are characterized by a fast, staccato, and often repetitive delivery, creating a sense of urgency and building momentum. His lines, like "In this context, there's no disrespect / So, when I bust my rhyme, you break yo' necks," emphasize the physical, head-nodding reaction the music demands.
  • The Global Party Vibe: The lyrics make references to various global locations and cultures, which was a hallmark of the *Elephunk* era, cementing the Black Eyed Peas’ status as an international act.

The Grammy-Winning Success and Cultural Impact

The commercial version, "Let's Get It Started," was a massive success globally, charting highly in the US (peaking at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100) and the UK (#11 on the UK Singles Chart).

  • Award Recognition: At the 47th Annual Grammy Awards in 2005, the song won the award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. It was also nominated for the prestigious Record of the Year and Best Dance Recording, demonstrating its crossover appeal across multiple genres.
  • Sports and Media: The track's energetic chorus made it an immediate favorite for synchronization in media. It was famously used by the NBA (National Basketball Association) in their promotional campaigns, further solidifying its status as a high-octane anthem.
  • The *Elephunk* Legacy: "Let's Get It Started" was the fourth single from *Elephunk*, an album that sold over 9 million copies worldwide. It, along with "Where Is the Love?" and "Shut Up," established the Black Eyed Peas as the leading group in the new wave of dance-infused hip-hop, paving the way for their subsequent mega-hits and the next album, *Monkey Business*.

In essence, the song's journey from the controversial "Let's Get Retarded" to the clean, Grammy-winning "Let's Get It Started" is a perfect encapsulation of the Black Eyed Peas' own trajectory: a successful transformation from a respected but niche hip-hop act to a worldwide, genre-blending pop phenomenon.

10 Shocking Facts About the Black Eyed Peas’ ‘Get It Started’ Lyrics That Changed Pop History
black eyed peas get it started lyrics
black eyed peas get it started lyrics

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