Dutchess Fergie Goes Solo With Help From Peas And Others

Being in one of the world's most popular groups of the past few years apparently isn't good enough for Fergie, so the female member of the Black Eyed Peas is releasing a solo album.

The Dutchess, due on September 19 via Interscope, has been preceded by the smash single, "London Bridge." "It's funny, because I'm a singer and this single doesn't have a lot of singing to it," Fergie told MTV News.

"It's more of a chanty type record, but it just seemed so obvious that it would be the first single because it was so strong and aggressive. I'm just excited for people who hear the whole record because there's going to be a lot of different styles on the record. I have very eclectic taste, just as the Black Eyed Peas do."

Fergie had 21 songs ready for the album, but will whittle the final number down to 12 or 14 for the release. However many tracks there are, the former Wild Orchid member is promising touches of dub, reggae, soul, pop, punk, rock and jazz.Fergie recorded The Dutchess while touring with the Peas over the past year, and all of the group members guest on the disc. Will.I.Am was its executive producer. Bob Marley's widow, Rita Marley, is featured on a reggae song titled "Mary Jane's Shoes." Ludacris is heard on "Glamorous" and B-Real raps on "Thriller Man," which is a homage to Cypress Hill's "How I Could Just Kill A Man."

While many of the songs on the autobiographical record were written recently, some are as much as six years old.

"All of the love songs are definitely about different boyfriends that I've had," said the 31-year-old Fergie, who was born Stacy Ann Ferguson in Whittier, California. "I've made a personal decision to not mention which ones are about who, out of respect for the people, but there are break-ups, there are make-ups, there are dysfunctional relationships.

"There are also struggles with my substance abuse, a lot of vulnerability which I think people haven't seen from me in the Black Eyed Peas."

Fergie will sing "London Bridge" as part of the Black Eyed Peas show that will make its way across Canada this fall with support from Rihanna and Swollen Members. Here are the dates:
September 30 Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre
October 2 Regina, SK @ Brandt Centre
October 3 Calgary, AB @ Pengrowth Saddledome
October 4 Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
October 6 Vancouver, BC @ Pacific Coliseum
October 7 Victoria, BC @ Save On Foods Memorial Centre