I Was in The Black Eyed Peas. Then I Quit. | ‘Almost Famous’ by Op-Docs
In the mid-1990s, the singer and songwriter Kim Hill met a young rapper who suggested they start making music. That rapper’s name was will.i.am, and his group was a rising Los Angeles underground hip-hop crew called The Black Eyed Peas. The rest is history — or is it?
Hill found herself at a crossroads in 2000 and decided to quit the group and find her own voice, only to look on as The Black Eyed Peas reached global stardom with earworms like “I Gotta Feeling.” Having missed out on what every performer dreams of, does Hill regret her decision?
“Almost Famous” is a special Op-Docs series of short films directed by Ben Proudfoot featuring people who nearly made history — only to fall short. These are tales of overcoming disappointment at its most epic, from an astronaut who never flew to a superstar who never was.
See more from the “Almost Famous” series: https://nyti.ms/2EuGTsK
Credits
Director: Ben Proudfoot
Featuring: Kim Hill, Cassius Hill
Producers: Gabriel Berk Godoi, Abby Lynn Kang Davis
Co-Producer: Jeremy Lambert
Cinematography: Brandon Somerhalder
Additional Cinematography: Tom Mason
Editor: David Faddis
Composer: Nicholas Jacobson-Larson
Assistant Editor: Lisset Mendoza
First Assistant Camera: Jana McLain
Colorist: Stephen Derluguian
Re-Recording Mixer: Sean Higgins
Archival Coordinator: Sarah Stewart
Associate Producer: Caley Fox Shannon
Post-Production Supervisor: Dillon Brown
Post-Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Brooke
Supervising Editor: Federico Conforti
Sound Effects Editor: TJ Jacques
Additional Orchestration: Roger Julià Satorra
Scoring Mixer: Brad Haehnel
More from The New York Times Video:
Subscribe: http://bit.ly/U8Ys7n
Watch all of our videos here: http://nytimes.com/video
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nytvideo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nytvideo
———-
Op-Docs is the New York Times’ award-winning series of short documentaries by independent filmmakers. Learn more about Op-Docs and how to submit to the series. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@NYTopinion).
Oooooh shes very bitter. And angry. She just hides it. Sometimes revisiting things justhelps you cope with it. But i cant seem to understand why revisit somwthing you help create and then taken away from you. I had an experience where i was suppose to work on 4 big movies back in 2006, but i made the wrong choice and lost that opportunity. I moved on and dont discuss it, but sometimes a conversation will take me there and i get angry and bitter. I was suppose to work on tranformer, the Hulk, Harry Poter 2 and Pirate of the Carabeans… Sometimes the choices u make alter your life so much. Sooo shes very hurt inside and bitter. But maybe this video helps her cope with what she lost
It's sad that things didn't bring her the kind of career that she deserved. And Fergie, with all those awards and an explosive career, hasn't been seen or heard since that atrocious performance of The Star Spangled Banner years ago.
Hey, everybody. I’m Ben, the filmmaker and creator of the ALMOST FAMOUS series. Happy to answer any questions!
9:01
When you were around it was much better. Joint/jam weekends
I love her story!❤️
Grace is beautiful
that's called a ghost ship everyone has one
I probably would have actually enjoyed them with her.
Soooooul Traaaain!
Now William is a puppet of the klaus schawb
Wow that was truly beautiful
work is work you gotta do what you gotta do, you missed your opportunity
She got paid to steer the convo in a different direction smh blk folks will do anything for a buck
she wouldve saved what the black eyed peas' future music sound like rn
Sorry sis but I'm glad Fergie joined and not you
This classy woman can live with herself, sleep peacefully at night and look her son in the eye and say she never sold her soul.
Fergie is a legend
She seems like an incredible person. Hope they can reunite one day
❤
This is what they mean when they say selling your soul to the devil.
Wow, Kim is such a classy lady. Glad to hear her story.
i got a feeling that losing Kim Hill encouraged them to protect Fergie
Best albums ever
She aucks.
Oooooh shes very bitter. And angry. She just hides it. Sometimes revisiting things justhelps you cope with it. But i cant seem to understand why revisit somwthing you help create and then taken away from you. I had an experience where i was suppose to work on 4 big movies back in 2006, but i made the wrong choice and lost that opportunity. I moved on and dont discuss it, but sometimes a conversation will take me there and i get angry and bitter. I was suppose to work on tranformer, the Hulk, Harry Poter 2 and Pirate of the Carabeans… Sometimes the choices u make alter your life so much. Sooo shes very hurt inside and bitter. But maybe this video helps her cope with what she lost
It's sad that things didn't bring her the kind of career that she deserved. And Fergie, with all those awards and an explosive career, hasn't been seen or heard since that atrocious performance of The Star Spangled Banner years ago.
Oh man – this really moved me! What a beautiful Spirit Kim has! Ben – you have a gift! Tell Brian Ivie, I say hi!
She is so cool
She's so good though!
Thank you so much.
Well good job! Except for I don't see Fergie grinding on anyone…