A to Z on the Black Eyed Peas

Love them because they're fun and they make good-time, dance-party pop, or hate 'em because they're just too lightweight and don't have street cred - but you can't deny that the Black Eyed Peas are one of the hottest entertainment acts in the world.

Their fifth studio album, "The E.N.D.," has sold more than 5.5 million units worldwide, with digital single sales in the United States of more than 12.5 million tracks. Their tour brings the Black Eyed Peas - Will.i.am, Fergie, Taboo and Apl.de.ap - to Hampton on Monday.

Here's the lowdown, from A to Z, on BEP.

- Dan Duke

apl.de.ap

The 35-year-old's real name is Allan Pineda Lindo. He met Will.i.am in school in Los Angeles, and they formed a break-dancing crew and starting writing raps together. Their first group, Atban Klann, evolved into the Black Eyed Peas. Remembering his former day job of picking up horse manure at Disneyland keeps him "grounded," he recently told CBS.

"Boom Boom Pow"

The hit song from "The E.N.D" alternated this summer with another BEP single, "I Gotta Feeling," at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots on the Billboard singles chart for 26 straight weeks - the longest time one act has stayed atop the chart. BEP is being sued by a Chicago band that claims "Boom Boom Pow" rips off their song "Boom Dynamite."

Costumes - or circus

On this latest tour, the regalia worn by the band is a big part of the show. There are numerous costume changes: Fergie wears a "Tron"-style, one-piece uniform and later dons a black one-piece outfit that includes a metal shield over her crotch. Will.i.am, who also has his own line of clothing, wears a sparkling, Sgt. Pepper-style jacket and a black "Phantom of the Opera"-style mask. Also, there are confetti cannons, smoke machines, huge video screens and more.

Dancers

The entire show is designed to be more like a dance club experience than a concert - including a bit that Will.i.am does as a DJ elevated above the stage by a crane. At one point, a dance crew does a number tricked out as robotic stereo equipment.

"Elephunk"

This was the band's third studio album, but the first to include Fergie, and it became their breakout record, selling about 8.5 million copies worldwide.

Fergie

Stacy Ann Ferguson, 34, is a California girl who married actor Josh Duhamel a little over a year ago. She has said that she had a strict Catholic upbringing and was a straight-A student and a Girl Scout. Her parents were teachers. She got into show business as a child, then hit a rough patch, including an addiction to crystal methamphetamine.

Grammys

The band won three Grammys last month: for best pop vocal album, best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals and best short-form music video. They now have six Grammys.

Haiti

Will.i.am did a remix of the classic rock song "My Generation" with The Who and guitarist Slash so the proceeds could go to Haiti earthquake relief. The remix aired during the Super Bowl and is available on iTunes and at www.dipdive.com.

iTunes

BEP is No. 1 on the iTunes list of all-time most-downloaded songs, which the company released last week. "I Gotta Feeling" is the king, and the band's "Boom Boom Pow" is No. 3. (Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" is No. 2.)

Jeepney Music

Apl.de.ap named his record label (motto: "You Can Dream") after the Jeepneys that are made in the Philippines, originally from U.S. military World War II Jeeps, and used for public transportation.

"Kids Incorporated"

As a child, Fergie starred on this TV show from 1984 to '89 with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Mario Lopez. We also could use this letter for the Kids Choice Awards because Nickelodeon nominated the band this week for favorite music group and favorite song ("I Gotta Feeling").

Ludacris

A star in his own right and a three-time Grammy winner, this bawdy rapper joined BEP for the tour. He goes on before the headliners but after the first warm-up act - LMFAO, an electro-hop rapping duo.

Michael Jackson

Will.i.am told the St. Peters-burg Times that he had collaborated on new material with Michael Jackson before he died but said he would not release it.

"Nine"

In Fergie's latest film role, she plays a prostitute in this musical starring Daniel Day-Lewis. Other film credits: "Poseidon," "Grindhouse" and "Planet Terror."

Oprah

In September, the group performed at "The Oprah Winfrey Show's" season 24 kickoff party in Chicago. An estimated 21,000 people danced in the streets as a flash mob to the live performance of "I Gotta Feeling."

Philippines

Apl.de.ap lived in the Philippines with his Filipino mom until age 11, working as a farmhand. His absentee dad was an African American serviceman. His mother sent him to the United States at age 11 to be treated for an eye problem. He was adopted by an American at 14 and stayed in the U.S.

Q-Tip

The rapper is featured on the BEP hit "Like That." The band has also worked with Justin Timberlake ("Where Is the Love"), Jack Johnson ("Going Gone") and Sting ("Union").

Riddim Ribbon

BEP is behind this new game, which can be downloaded at iTunes. Players control a spinning wheel as it races to the beat of the band's hits along a twisting, turning ribbon.

Sally

Fergie did the voice for Sally in several Charlie Brown TV specials.

Taboo

Taboo, aka Jaime Luis Gomez, 34, is a Mexican American from East Los Angeles. He met will.i.am and apl.de.ap through a break dancing club and joined the Black Eyed Peas in 1995 as a hype man. He likes to incorporate martial arts into his dancing style.

"Take U to the Philippines"

This song and music video by apl.de.ap, a collaboration with the Philippines' Department of Tourism and MTV, was done last fall to promote tourism in his home country.

Video

If you miss the band in Hampton, you can see its last concert of the tour simulcast live at 10:30 p.m. March 30 at two local theaters, AMC Hampton Towne Centre 24 and Regal MacArthur Center 18 in Norfolk. (Visit www.ncm.com for details.)

Will.i.am

William James Adams Jr., 34, is a Los Angeles native. Before finding success in music, he attended the Fashion Institute of Design in Los Angeles. He first called himself Will-1X but came up with his current stage name at around age 18. He and apl.de.ap have been best friends since high school. He has also worked in producing, acting and solo music projects.

"X-Men: Origins: Wolverine"

Will.i.am played John Wraith/Kestrel in this 2009 film.

"Yes We Can"

In January 2008, will.i.am wrote this song for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. He also did campaign appearances for Obama. After the election, he unveiled "It's a New Day." For the inauguration, he collaborated with producer David Foster on "America's Song." He even appeared, via hologram, to chat with CNN's Anderson Cooper about the campaign.

Zapped

BEP got a shock at France's NRJ Music Awards last month when they were incorrectly declared the best international group. A presenter read the card wrong at the ceremony in Cannes, then corrected the mistake, giving the award to Tokio Hotel. BEP still won best international song for "I Gotta Feeling."