Tracks

1. Bep Empire

2. Weekends

3. Get Original

4. Hot

5. Cali To New York

6. Lil' Lil'

7. On My Own

8. Release

9. Bringing The Gaps

10. Go Go

11. Rap Song

12. Bringing It Back

13. Tell Your Mama Come

14. Request + Line

15. UK Bonus Track - Magic

Performer Notes

Black Eyed Peas: Will.i.am (vocals, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, Hammond B-3 organ, Moog synthezizer, programming); Apl.de.ap (programming); Taboo.
Additional personnel includes: Wyclef Jean (vocals, guitar); De La Soul,
Mos Def, Macy Gray, Les Nubians, Chali 2Na, Esthero, Kim Hill (vocals); Michaelangelo Fratantuno (guitar); Kevin Torfeh, Susanna Giordano, Roberto Cani, Susan Chatman (strings); Pritz Board (trumpet, Hammond B-3 organ, Moog synthesizer); Jose Espinoza, Eulises Bella, Asoru Sierra (horns); Jerry Duplessis, Miles Taket (bass); DJ Motive (cuts).
Producers includes: Will Adams, DJ Premier, Wyclef Jean, Rhett Lawrence, Apl.de.ap.
Engineers include: Eddie Sancho, Dexter Thibeau, Dejuana Richardson.
Audio Mixer: Dave Pensado.
Recording information: D&D Studios, New York, NY; Encore Studios, Burbank, CA; Mirror Image Studios, New York, NY; Paramount Studios, Los Angeles, CA; The Cutting Room Studio, New York, NY; The Stewchia, Los Feliz, CA.
Illustrator: Vinnie Arnone.
Photographer: Anthony Mandler.
Black Eyed Peas represent the kind of progressive hip-hop approach associated with bands such as A Tribe Called Quest or the Roots. While their straight-up rapping skills are indisputable, it's the group's quirky arrangements, production style, and preference for live tracks instead of pre-programmed ones that sets them apart from the pack.
Throughout BRIDGING THE GAP, the trio makes it clear that they're on a mission to take hip-hop to a smarter, more sophisticated place. This is accomplished almost as much by what they don't do as by what they do. They spend a lot of time talking about unification and other high-minded ideals, and distancing themselves from any notions of violence. They also take care to collaborate with artists they consider like-minded, including De La Soul, Wyclef, and Macy Gray. BRIDGING THE GAP's mix of funk, rap, pop, and soul is a strong brew when combined with the Black Eyed Peas' often-heady lyrical sentiments.

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (10/12/00, p.90) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A more organic-feeling representation of their considerable skills and vision. Uncluttered but muscular production, deft samples and smart rhymes ensure repeated listenings..."

Q (11/00, p.101) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Right-on rapping....their Hispanic-flavored style constantly edges between sounding cool and simply withdrawn..."

Mixmag (9/00, p.169) - 3 out of 5 - "...Original, funked-up music....BRIDGING THE GAPS is another little gem..."

The Source (12/00, pp.240-2) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...BEP fine-tune their aesthetic. They integrate coffee-shop soul with disco-ball grooves, using spacey electronics and soft analog samples to interlace their aural space. the sound is familair and still refreshingly original..."

Album: Bridging the Gap [UK Bonus Track]
#	Song Title	Time
1)	B.E.P. Empire
2)	Weekends - (featuring Esthero)
3)	Get Original
4)	Hot - (featuring Kim Hill)
5)	Cali to New York - (featuring De La Soul)
6)	Lil' Lil'
7)	On My Own - (featuring Les Nubian/Mos Def)
8)	Release
9)	Bridging the Gaps
10)	Go Go
11)	Rap Song
12)	Bringing It Back
13)	Tell Your Mama Come
14)	Request Line
15)	Magic [UK Bonus Track]

Album: Bridging the Gap [UK Bonus Track]
#	Song Title	Time
1)	B.E.P. Empire
2)	Weekends - (featuring Esthero)
3)	Get Original
4)	Hot - (featuring Kim Hill)
5)	Cali to New York - (featuring De La Soul)
6)	Lil' Lil'
7)	On My Own - (featuring Les Nubian/Mos Def)
8)	Release
9)	Bridging the Gaps
10)	Go Go
11)	Rap Song
12)	Bringing It Back
13)	Tell Your Mama Come
14)	Request Line
15)	Magic [UK Bonus Track]