Searching For the Love

By Tristan Ashton

In 2003, the American hip-hop group known as the Black Eyed Peas released the single “Where Is The Love?” to instant, widespread, and persistent critical acclaim. Debuting at number 9 on the Hot 100, it catapulted the Peas to commercial and cultural success and reestablished their struggling career. Members will.i.am, Taboo, and apl.de.ap, along with Justin Timberlake, Ron Fair, Printz Board, George Pajon, Jr., and others all co-wrote and produced the song, and are also credited with producing its infamous music video.

The music video in question features the members of the Black Eyed Peas moving around the streets of Los Angeles asking various people “where is the love?” Taboo and will.i.am are shown singing the song inside a van, throwing their voices through speakers mounted on the roof out at people passing by. Fergie, the lone female, delivers the message on foot by placing question marks throughout the city: on top of a Statue of Liberty replica; on road signs and cars; and even handing out flyers of the ubiquitous question mark. Finally, apl.de.ap gets arrested for spreading the same message, and thus becomes a central part of the video. He places a question mark on the back of a bus, but a police officer chases and arrests him, leading him to complain that “instead of spreading love we’re spreading animosity/Lack of understanding leading lives away from unity”.

apl.de.ap appealing to the police

Interestingly, the significance of this part of the video becomes most relevant, not in 2003, but a decade later. In light of the recent rash of police violence over the past few years, apl.de.ap’s arrest for asking the hard questions becomes ever more poignant. Where does the line between peacekeeping and persecution fall? Does apl.de.ap’s nonviolent but illegal protest warrant police action?

It is important also to address a brief clip near the middle, where some kids are shown playing a war game while Taboo laments about “nations droppin’ bombs/Chemical gasses fillin’ lungs of little ones/With ongoing sufferin’, as the youth die young”. Clearly, the lyrical overlay is intended to highlight a depressingly ironic situation: while some children play at packaged war, other children experience the genuine article. Both groups will grow up with war, but with entirely different

War games

perspectives. This dichotomy points to the trivialization of the struggles of others in the minds of the privileged, and is exactly the point of asking, “where is the love?”

The Peas hit on major commercial success with the release of “Where Is The Love?” The culturally aware and thought-provoking lyrics highlight many of the prevalent issues in modern society, such as racism, gang violence, war, and general intolerance. The Peas then complemented their song with an equally thought-provoking music video, featuring the distribution of a red question mark all around Los Angeles. “Where is the love?” they ask us. Well, that answer is up to you.