Will.I.AM says Black Eyed Peas at work on new album

By: Janine Coveney

Grammy-nominated producer, writer and rapper Will.I.Am is juggling a number of projects, but he says that the Black Eyed Peas have already begun work on the follow-up to their multi-platinum 2005 album, Monkey Business. He says that the set will be out in the fourth quarter of 2007 and will hit a few more serious notes than the material from the party-friendly last album.

Will.I.Am says that the project will be "a thinking record," much like the track "Where Is The Love" from Monkey Business, but will still be upbeat. He told us: "That's almost finished, that'll come out this time next year. Just the sentiment that 'Where Is The Love'gave you. It's still a fun record, you know, Black Eyed Peas'next record is fun and it's uplifting. It's gonna be the record that you drive to work with, go to lunch with, get ready to go out with. It's that record, you know, that you live life to."

The producer adds that the group will continue to record as much as 40 songs, many on the road as they finish up their tour this month. The album has no title yet, and Will.I.Am says it's too early to start thinking about guests and collaborators.

Meanwhile, the Peas recently released the interactive DVD set Live From Sydney To Vegas.