The Dutchess is the debut solo studio album by American singer and rapper Fergie. It was released on September 13, 2006, through A&M Records and the will.i.am Music Group as her first solo album. The album was recorded between The Black Eyed Peas' tour in 2005, and the songs were written throughout the last eight years that preceded its release. While developing the album, Fergie wanted to create an autobiographical album that would be more intimate between her and the listener. By doing so, the album experiments with different music genres, including pop, hip hop, R&B, reggae, punk rock and soul. Lyrically, The Dutchess has themes about love and critics, while also dealing with her drug abuse and addiction.
will.i.am, fellow member of The Black Eyed Peas, is the album's executive producer and produced eight songs.
The album's title, The Dutchess, is a play on words from the Duchess of York. (pictured)
The album earned Fergie three number one singles on the US Billboard Hot 100, including two more songs in the top five.
Image: Ludacris 2008
Stacy Ann "Fergie" Ferguson is an American singer, songwriter, rapper and actress. She first achieved chart success as part of the hip hop group the Black Eyed Peas. Her debut solo album, The Dutchess (2006), saw commercial success and spawned three Billboard Hot 100 number one singles: "London Bridge", "Glamorous", and "Big Girls Don't Cry".
Fergie performing with the Black Eyed Peas in Anhembi, São Paulo, Brazil in November 2006
Fergie at the 2007 MuchMusic Video Awards on June 17, 2007
Fergie performing at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, 2010
Fergie and Will.i.am performing during Walmart Shareholders' Meeting in 2011
