Positive messages and breakdancing are integral parts of hip-hop culture, but by 1990 those elements had been temporarily eclipsed by the tough gangster image and bleak but compelling lyrics of West Coast groups like N.W.A.. However, despite sharing a zip code, Black Eyed Peas' vision goes beyond the cracked-sidewalk vignettes and sampled gunfire of Los Angeles' gangster style. The socially conscious group's earliest connections go back to high school, when Will.I.Am and Apl de Ap were part of Tribal Nation, a breakdancing crew. Eventually the pair focused more on music -- hip-hop, specifically -- and split off into their own as Atban Klann, their esoteric name an acronym for A Tribe Beyond a Nation. Eazy-E's Ruthless Records signed the group in 1992 , but many in the Ruthless camp were puzzled by the group and the enthusiasm of Eazy, who had no problem reconciling his own gangster style with the peace-minded breakdancing of Atban. Although an album was recorded, Ruthless shelved it, unsure how to market a group whose style wasn't dependent on violent braggadocio like N.W.A. The death of Eazy-E in 1995 signaled the end of any further deals with Ruthless. Undaunted by the experience, Will and Apl recruited another dancer/MC, Taboo, and reappeared as Black Eyed Peas. BEP began playing shows around L.A., impressing hip-hop fans with their mic skills and dazzling them with their footwork as well. In 1998 their debut, Behind the Front, was released to critical acclaim -- not only for the trio of MCs, but for their live band and backing vocalist Kim Hill as well. Featuring guest appearances from Jurassic 5's Chali 2na, De La Soul, and Macy Gray, BEP's sophomore effort, Bridging the Gap, was released in 2000. The group's third album, 2003's Elephunk, featured a new member, Fergie who replaced Kim Hill.

LOS ANGELES - Dugaan Britney Spears mengalami gangguan mental, jangan-jangan benar adanya. Dari pengakuan polisi yang menangani saat Britney mengunci anaknya di kamar, saat itu Britney telanjang dada dan menolak berpakaian. Britney pernah mengunci anaknya di kamar, tepatnya di kamar mandi utama rumahnya di Los Angeles, pada 3 Januari. Ketika itu, Britney enggan memulangkan anaknya kepada mantan suami Kevin Federline, karena masih ingin bersama si bocah. Nah, saat hendak diamankan polisi, aparat terkejut. Sebab, di dalam kamar mandi itu Britney tidak mengenakan apapun kecuali celana dalam dan sebuah baju transparan. "Jangan tutupi tubuh saya! Saya sangat seksi," kata Britney yang diucapkan saksi mata, kala polisi berusaha memakaikan pakaian. Demikian dikutip Female First, Senin (14/1/2008). Selain menolak memakai baju, pelantun Toxic itu juga meneriaki aparat dengan kata-kata kasar. Britney memaki karena tak suka rumahnya dimasuki polisi tanpa izinnya. Asisten Britney yang berada di dekat petugas mengatakan, penyanyi bermasalah itu terlalu banyak minum vitamin sepanjang hari. Polisi lalu menemukan sebotol Prozac di kamar mantan pacar Justin Timberlake ini. (ang)

Maroon 5 is a Grammy Award winning rock band originating from Los Angeles, California. Comprising five members: Adam Levine (vocals, guitar), James Valentine (guitar, vocals), Jesse Carmichael (keyboards, vocals), Mickey Madden (bass guitar) and Matt Flynn (drums, percussion), the band is best known for hit songs including "Harder to Breathe", "This Love", "She Will Be Loved", "Sunday Morning", "Must Get Out", "Makes Me Wonder", "Wake Up Call", and "Won't Go Home Without You". Maroon 5 has won several awards for its debut album Songs About Jane. Released in June 2002, the album enjoyed major chart success, going gold, platinum, and triple platinum in many countries around the world. In support of Songs About Jane, Maroon 5 toured extensively throughout 2003 – 2005, in which a live album was released, entitled Live - Friday the 13th. Original member Ryan Dusick left the band in September 2006, due to injuries sustained by the constant touring, and was replaced by Matt Flynn.