If you've ever watched a Black Eyed Peas performance, you know Taboo runs the show.
Where his fellow band member Will.i.am was content with merely dropping their rhymes, 43-year-old Taboo is dynamite on stage with acrobatic break dance moves, passionate call and response refrains to the crowd and adept rapping.
The world is once again getting a taste of his flare with the American band – now back to its original three members, minus Fergie, currently on tour, on the back of their new album, Masters of the Sun Vol.1, their first album release in eight years . The global tour, which is presently snaking its way through Europe, will eventually come to the region next year.
Speaking exclusively to The National, Taboo – real name Jaime Gomez – confirms a UAE gig is in the works. "We want to bring our shows to either Abu Dhabi or Dubai. We have a lot of fans there and we love performing there," he says.
“We will do that as part of our run of shows around Asia. We will do Australia and then Asia for some shows and then head your way.”
A battle with cancer
Taboo is excited. His responses are gleeful and peppered with statements of gratefulness for what he has, and what he has achieved. It is a wisdom stemming from a near-death experience.
Four years ago, the artist's lithe body was a mess of bandages and tubes as he was fighting for his life. After years of dismissing aches and back pains as a result of his high-intensity performances, a health test confirmed he was suffering from testicular cancer. So rapid was its progression, that doctors ordered him to immediately undergo bouts of chemotherapy.
He explains those sessions as not only physically and emotionally draining, but as an opportunity to take stock of his life and priorities. "The cancer was so intense, it was aggressive and basically it was me against time," he says. "When that happened, my automatic reaction was: 'I'm gonna live for my wife and my kids.' But then, I would also say: 'Creator, please give me one more chance to be on that big stage with my best friends.' Because that's what I love to do, I love to perform for these amazing folks around the world. I wanted another chance to be on stage, doing the thing that I love to do most."
Songs with meaning
It was with that clarity that a recovered Taboo – whose cancer is now in remission – returned to the studio to begin recording the Black Eyed Peas’s comeback album.
He was not alone when it came to purpose. Both Will.i.am and Apl.de.ap felt the new songs needed a stronger message than simply partying. This was down to the former spending time in the poor urban communities of the United States and advocating for their struggles, while the latter spent time in his native Philippines combating poverty through community education programmes run by his Apl.de.Ap Foundation. With Taboo a high-profile advocate for Native-American causes, the ground was set for Masters of the Sun Vol.1 to be their most socially conscious album to date.
In the lead single, Big Love, Taboo looks at society's increasing numbness to the struggles of the underclass: "Money got 'em stressin' / Fear got 'em flexin' / Phones got us zoned out / Now we lose connection/ Please stand by / It takes you and I to keep the hope alive."
While in the soulful Constant, he essentially lays out his three-step programme on how to contribute to the betterment of society. "First is the heart, gotta spread the love effect / Second is the mind, gotta feed 'em intellect / Third is the body, gotta treat it with respect 'Cause you don't wanna be a ghost, be the spirit? Yes."
Where is Fergie?
In addition to the timely messages, another feature of Masters of the Sun is how Black Eyed Peas it all sounds. Well, that depends on whether you are a pre- or post-Fergie fan.
Fergie's inclusion in the band began the Black Eyed Peas's ascent to stardom. Her sultry vocals provided the earworm hooks for nearly all of the group's biggest hits, including 2003's chart-toppers Where is the Love? and Shut Up.
Despite their success, old- school fans were dismayed at how the band seemingly turned their back on their hip-hop roots in favour of a more radio-friendly territory.
With Fergie leaving the group in what appears to be acrimonious circumstances – answering a question from Daily Star, Will.i.am was dismissive: "I don't know why Fergie isn't on the project. You will have to ask Fergie that" – the personnel change seems to have allowed the band to return to their old funky and gritty sounds.
Taboo says the reason behind the throwback is down to the group celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album, Behind The Front.
"Masters of the Sun has some of that old-school vibe," he says. "We wanted to come back with the traditional Black Eyed Peas sound that we all know and love. It's got that Boom-Bap and classic hip-hop sound, straight lyricism, socially conscious lyrics. It feels good man."
Despite the group exploring various styles over their career, ranging from hip-hop to electro and EDM, Taboo says their approach in the studio remains the same with Will.i.am, whom he describes as a “genius”, taking the lead.
“He is the scientist,” he says. “He understands the frequency, what tone is needed and how to produce the record. He makes sure that it all sounds like what we wanted. He’s meticulous, and even if you sing it wrong, he’ll fine tune it in a way to sound right.”
__________________
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Our guide to the one year anniversary celebrations at Louvre Abu Dhabi
Andrea Bocelli teams up with his son for new duet
New Beatles video of 'Glass Onion' released on Apple Music
Pharrell Williams bans Donald Trump from using his music
__________________
But it is on stage, Taboo admits, that he feels most natural. He describes the present run of shows as not only exhilarating, but a nightly reminder of conquering his cancer battle. “The thought of returning to the stage is what helped me get better in away,” he says.
“I would be in the hospital watching videos of our live shows because it kept my mind from thinking about the bio-chemical white cells being pumped into me. I would tell myself: ‘No. This is not gonna take me out. You cannot take me out because I gotta get back on that stage.”
Masters of the Sun Vol.1 by the Black Eyed Peas is out now
The years Ramadan fell in May
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
The five pillars of Islam
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
TUESDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court
Starting at 2pm:
Malin Cilic (CRO) v Benoit Paire (FRA) [8]
Not before 4pm:
Dan Evans (GBR) v Fabio Fogini (ITA) [4]
Not before 7pm:
Pablo Carreno Busta (SPA) v Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) [2]
Roberto Bautista Agut (SPA) [5] v Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)
Court One
Starting at 2pm
Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND) v Dennis Novak (AUT)
Joao Sousa (POR) v Filip Krajinovic (SRB)
Not before 5pm:
Rajeev Ram (USA) and Joe Salisbury (GBR) [1] v Marin Cilic v Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Nikoloz Basilashvili v Ricardas Berankis (LTU)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Sunday's games
All times UAE:
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace, 4pm
Manchester City v Arsenal, 6.15pm
Everton v Watford, 8.30pm
Chelsea v Manchester United, 8.30pm
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
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SCHEDULE
December 8: UAE v USA (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 9: USA v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 11: UAE v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 12: UAE v USA (ICC Academy Oval 1)
December 14: USA v Scotland (ICC Academy Oval 1)
December 15: UAE v Scotland (ICC Academy Oval 1)
All matches start at 10am
Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
The biog
Age: 35
Inspiration: Wife and kids
Favourite book: Changes all the time but my new favourite is Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Best Travel Destination: Bora Bora , French Polynesia
Favourite run: Jabel Hafeet, I also enjoy running the 30km loop in Al Wathba cycling track
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
more from Janine di Giovanni
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Vikram%20Vedha
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
