EXCLUSIVE: Will.I.Am's Ego Forced Out Former Black Eyed Peas Singer, Says Source
Jun. 27 2010, Published 10:05 a.m. ET
Before the Black Eyed Peas sexy front woman Fergie came along, Kim Hill was the female singer of the famed group.
According to sources close to the group, Kim Hill left the Black Eyed Peas for the same reason Fergie plans to -- a major clash of egos with front-man will.i.am, RadarOnline.com can exclusively report.
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"Kim Hill was once a big part of the Black Eyed Peas,” according to a source close to the Grammy winning group.
“She was part of their 'family' and wanted to be treated better and promoted as the valid part of the group that she was.
“But she started having a hard time with will.i.am.
“His ego was getting bigger and he was moving away from caring about their original sound and got more interested in becoming famous."
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RadarOnline.com exclusively revealed how Fergie and will.i.am have clashed, so much so, she had made the decision to leave the group.
Our source said it is an all too familiar scenario.
"Kim Hill did the exact same thing years ago,” dished the insider.
“After a few years with the Black Eyed Peas, Kim realized that she wasn't going to get the credit that she deserved. She decided to leave the group in 2000 and go out on her own.
“She really thought Will would give her the props she deserved, but it wasn't happening.
“She couldn't stand his ego getting bigger and bigger and she bounced."
The source added, "The irony is that about a year after Kim, who is pretty Afrocentric and has a really soulful sound, left the group, Fergie came along and they put her front and center.
“Kim and Fergie couldn't be more different and Fergie ended up getting everything Kim was asking for and more."