My Humps
My Humps
Main page
M

My Humps

logo
Community Hub0 subscribers
Read side by side
My Humps
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

"My Humps"
Single by Black Eyed Peas
from the album Monkey Business
B-side"So Real"
ReleasedSeptember 20, 2005
Genre
Length
  • 5:27 (album version)
  • 4:11 (single edit)
Label
Songwriters
Producerwill.i.am
Black Eyed Peas singles chronology
"Don't Lie"
(2005) 		"My Humps"
(2005) 		"Pump It"
(2006)
Audio sample
Music video
"My Humps" on YouTube

"My Humps" is a song by American hip hop group the Black Eyed Peas, released on September 20, 2005 by A&M Records and Interscope Records. It was originally written by will.i.am for the American girl group the Pussycat Dolls, but was ultimately recorded for the Black Eyed Peas' fourth studio album, Monkey Business. A hip hop and dance song structured as a duet between will.i.am and Fergie, its lyrics center on Fergie using her breasts and buttocks to accomplish her goals.

The title and lyrics of "My Humps" sparked controversy. Music critics deemed the song a repetitive and puerile form of sexual titillation, though some praised its production. In spite of negative reviews, "My Humps" became the Black Eyed Peas' second single to reach the top three on the US Billboard Hot 100, and sold over two million digital downloads, becoming one of their best-selling singles. It won Best Hip-Hop Video at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 2007 Grammy Awards.

"My Humps" has been covered and parodied by several entertainers, including Alanis Morissette and Jack Heath. The song has also appeared in media such as television series and advertisements.

Recording

[edit]

According to will.i.am, he had originally written the song for the American recording group the Pussycat Dolls, but decided to have them use "Beep" instead, a song that was later released as the third single from their debut studio album PCD (2005).[1] In addition to writing and producing "My Humps", will.i.am also engineered the track with Jason "ill-aroma" Villaroman and performed on all the instruments present on the track. will.i.am and group member Fergie are the main vocalists on the song, while the other two members, Taboo and apl.de.ap, provide background vocals. "My Humps" was recorded at two locations in California: The Stewchia in Los Feliz and Morning View Studios in Malibu. The song was finally mixed by Romanian mix engineer Șerban Ghenea. The song samples lines from Sexual Harassment's 1983 single, "I Need a Freak".[2] In June 2011, American disc jockey Lynn Tolliver, the writer of "I Need a Freak", won a lawsuit that claimed publisher and producer James McCant committed copyright infringement and licensed the song to the group without his permission. Tolliver said the song was licensed under his name and that in 1983 McCant had agreed to pay him 75 percent of any royalties from the song. Tolliver won $1.2 million as a result.[3] The song was back in court in 2014 over royalty issues.[4]

Composition

[edit]

"My Humps" is a hip hop and dance track that is backed by an electro-influenced drum beat.[5] It incorporates a compositional sample of "I Need a Freak", written by Lynn Tolliver (a.k.a. David Payton). Talia Kraines of BBC Music commented that Fergie and will.i.am "sing playfully at each other, easily creating a vision of a boy/girl break-danceoff." Kraines also noted that the song sounded like a mix between Paula Abdul's "Opposites Attract" (Forever Your Girl, 1988) and Neneh Cherry's "Buffalo Stance" (Raw Like Sushi, 1989).[6] Steve "Flash" Juon of RapReviews said that Fergie's rap verse was "Khia-esque".[7] Azeem Ahmad of musicOMH noted that the song sounded similar to Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" (Love. Angel. Music. Baby., 2004).[5]

Release

[edit]

"My Humps" was released as the third single from Monkey Business (2005), after "Don't Phunk with My Heart" and "Don't Lie". After gaining considerable airplay and strong digital downloads, Interscope Records decided to release it while "Don't Lie" was still rising up the charts. It was released as the album's third single in the United States on September 20, 2005.[8] On November 4, 2005, a remix of the song by American rapper Lil Jon was released to digital retailers through Interscope Records.[9] Interscope also released the single internationally on November 7, 2005, featuring the Lil Jon remix as a B-side.[10] On November 11, 2005, an extended play was released internationally.[11] It features the song "So Real" and the Lil Jon remix.[11] On November 18, 2005, the song was released internationally as a CD single and maxi single.[12]

Music video

[edit]

The official music video for "My Humps", directed by Fatima Robinson and Malik Hassan Sayeed, premiered on TRL.[citation needed] It shows Fergie dancing with backup dancers in a dance class room as images of expensive items such as Louis Vuitton purses and jewelry, which is supposed to be the jewelry her men have bought her, appear on the screen. The other members of Black Eyed Peas—apl.de.ap, Taboo, and will.i.am—sing about how much they spend on Fergie as she sings about her feminine attributes.

Reception

[edit]

Talia Kraines of BBC Music commended "My Humps" as the most immediate track on the album, while noting that it could sound perfect on a Gwen Stefani album.[6] Steve "Flash" Juon of RapReviews expressed a different feeling towards the song, calling Fergie's rap a "poor man's version of "My Neck, My Back" and will.i.am.'s verses "retarded".[7] Azeem Ahmad of musicOMH, in his review of Monkey Business, expressed mixed feelings toward "My Humps", writing that it is "uneasy but it does seem to fit Fergie's persona while will.i.am's vocals suit him down to the ground."[5] In the review of the single on the same publication, Mark Fielding dismissed the sexual and materialistic lyrics, criticizing the rhyming of drunk with hump(s), lump(s), and bump(s). He described the mentions of "Coco Pops" and "milk" as ludicrous yet laughable, and praised the song's production.[13]

Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times commented that the single is going "most likely to live in infamy."[14] Bill Lamb of About.com gave the song a two and a half star rating, giving credit to its catchy appeal, but was ultimately dismissed for its "junior high level sexual titillation", "boring minimalist repetition", and "serious lack of true wit and humor."[15] Lamb's review was notably influenced by the success of the previous album, Elephunk (2003), indicated by this comment "In light of the band's previous triumphs as an inventive, socially conscious hip hop group, Black Eyed Peas releasing a song that trades on obsessions with female breasts simply to have a hit song is rather depressing."[15] He also compared the song to Ciara's "Goodies" and Kelis's "Milkshake", commending the aforementioned single for presenting "greater wit and self awareness" than "My Humps".[15] Jason King of The Village Voice called "My Humps" "asinine" and commented, "[it] conjures up none of the erotic discomfiture that gave "Milkshake" and "Cameltoe" their bite."[16] Rolling Stone called it "an irresistible, butt-stupid ode to Fergie's ass."[17]

"My Humps" is regarded by multiple critics as the single worst song ever written.[18] Despite this, it won the "Best Hip-Hop Video" at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards,[19] and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 2007 Grammy Awards.[20] Rolling Stone readers voted the track number one in the "20 Most Annoying Songs" list.[21] Ryan Schreiber of Pitchfork Media listed "My Humps" at number three on "The 15 Worst Releases of 2005" list, writing "Like 'Who Let the Dogs Out' before it, 'My Humps' is so monumentally vacuous, slapped together and tossed-off that it truly tests the definition of 'song';" and described it as a "five-minute commercial jingle."[22] In his 2009 book Crap Lyrics, music journalist Johnny Sharp lists "My Humps" as "the worst song lyrics in the world", describing them as "objectification of the female form to sewer-like depths".[23]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"My Humps" proved to be the most commercially successful single from Monkey Business (2005). Before its release as a single, "My Humps" was already charting while the previous single "Don't Lie" was still gaining traction. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 on August 20, 2005, at number eighty-five and moved up to number fifty-nine in the following week, making the second largest leap on the chart for that week.[24] It continue rising up the chart, and by the time the song was officially released as a single, it entered the top ten.[25] On November 5, 2005, "My Humps" reached number three on the Hot 100, where it lasted for six weeks.[26][27] It lasted more than nine months on the Billboard Hot 100, sixteen weeks of which were spent inside the top ten.[27] Throughout 2005, it sold 917,807 digital copies in the US.[28] Since the single's release, the song has sold 2,203,000 downloads and has earned a double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for mastertone sales.[29][30]

"My Humps" was commercially successful in the Australasia territories. On November 21, 2005, the song debuted and peaked at number one on the Australian Singles Chart.[12] It lasted two weeks at the top position and a total of seventeen weeks on the chart.[12] The song shipped 70,000 copies in Australia, earning a platinum certification by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).[31] This success was replicated in New Zealand, when it debuted on the New Zealand Top 40 at number one on November 28, 2005.[32] It fell off the top position in the following week and reappeared at number one six weeks later.[32]

"My Humps" proved to be a success in Europe, peaking inside the top ten in eleven countries and in the top twenty in two others, while also peaking at number two on the European Hot 100.[33] The song experienced its greatest performance in the British Isles. In the United Kingdom, the song debuted and peaked at number three, becoming the week's "highest debut".[34] It stalled at the position the next week until falling to number five in the following week.[35] "My Humps" eventually sold 295,000 copies in the country, according to The Official Charts Company.[36] The song entered the Irish Singles Chart at number three on November 17, 2005.[37] It stalled for two more weeks at that position until rising to number one in the following week.[27][38] The song spent a total of nineteen weeks on the chart.[27]

Covers and parodies

[edit]

"My Humps" has been covered and parodied by several amateur and established acts. Australian novelist Jack Heath cited the song and its "objectification of women disguised as empowerment"[39] as his primary inspiration for his 2005 style parody "Don't Stall". Electronic musician Peaches covered the song in 2006, altering the lyrics humorously and changing the title to "My Dumps".[40] Canadian rock singer Alanis Morissette covered the song in 2007, seemingly as an April Fools' Day prank.[39] In contrast to the original "My Humps", Morissette's cover is performed slowly and in the style of a ballad, with only a piano accompanying the vocal. On April 2, a video in which Morissette parodies Fergie's dancing moves in the original "My Humps" music video was added to the website YouTube. By April 3, the video was the most viewed on Technorati,[41] and it was viewed 1.5 million times six days later.[39] The video has been hosted on Morissette's official website. TIME stated that the parody proved that Morissette understands irony, in reference to her hit single, "Ironic". On April 15, Fergie confirmed to E! News that she thought that the parody was hilarious and genius. Fergie sent Alanis a cake in the shape of buttocks.[42][43]

Greeting card company American Greetings parodied the song in their Christmas e-card, "Three Wise Camels", in which the camels of the Three Wise Men rap about the gifts awaiting baby Jesus, which are sitting on their humps.[44]

Track listings

[edit]

Personnel

[edit]

Recording

Personnel

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[99] Platinum 70,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[100] Platinum 60,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[101] Platinum 8,000^
Germany (BVMI)[102] Gold 150,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[103] 2× Platinum 60,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[104] Gold 10,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[105] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[106] 5× Platinum 5,000,000‡
United States (RIAA)[107]
Mastertone 		2× Platinum 2,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats
Region Date Version(s) Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States September 20, 2005
  • Original
  • remix
 Digital download (EP)
[108]
September 27, 2005 Remix 12-inch vinyl [109]
Australia November 14, 2005
  • Original
  • remix
 Maxi CD Universal Music [110]
United Kingdom Polydor [111]
Germany November 18, 2005
Universal Music [112][113]
United States November 22, 2005 Original 12-inch vinyl
  • A&M
  • Interscope
 [114]
France May 15, 2006
  • Original
  • remix
 CD Polydor [115]
Various October 15, 2021 JBroadway Remix
Interscope [116]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

My Humps

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"My Humps" is a hip hop song by the American group Black Eyed Peas, released on September 20, 2005, as the third single from their fourth studio album, Monkey Business.[1] The track, written and produced by group member will.i.am, features Fergie as the lead vocalist delivering verses that boast about her breasts ("lovely lady lumps") and buttocks ("humps"), emphasizing the material luxuries—such as jewelry and cars—that these attributes elicit from male suitors.[2] Lyrically explicit and centered on themes of female physical allure and transactional sexuality, the song drew controversy for its suggestive content and perceived superficiality upon release.[3] Nevertheless, it achieved significant commercial success, debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 2005 and peaking at number three, while the accompanying music video won Best Hip-Hop Video at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.[4][5] By 2025, "My Humps" had been certified five times platinum by the RIAA for over five million digital downloads sold in the United States, underscoring its enduring sales despite mixed critical reception that often labeled it among the era's most vapid hits.[6] The Black Eyed Peas have since discontinued live performances of the song, with will.i.am citing a desire to move beyond its overshadowing impact on their broader catalog.[7]

Production

Recording and Development

"My Humps" was developed during recording sessions for the Black Eyed Peas' fourth studio album, Monkey Business, spanning 2004 to 2005, with primary production handled by group member will.i.am.[8] The track, serving as the album's fifth song, was written by will.i.am alongside David Payton and interpolates elements from Sexual Harassment's 1985 funk track "I Need a Freak."[9] Initially conceived by will.i.am for the Pussycat Dolls, the song was repurposed for the Black Eyed Peas after fitting better with Fergie's vocal style within the group dynamic.[10] Vocal and instrumental recording for "My Humps" took place at The Stewchia in Los Feliz, California, and Morning View Studios in Malibu, California, among other locations used for the album.[11] Fergie recorded her lead vocals and ad-libs, emphasizing the song's duet structure with will.i.am's verses, while apl.de.ap and Taboo contributed backing elements reflective of the group's collaborative approach.[11] Will.i.am layered hip-hop beats with R&B synths and clavinet/organ sounds to fuse the genres, drawing from his rapid production style that allowed tracks like this to emerge quickly in sessions.[12][13]

Composition and Songwriting

"My Humps" is structured as a mid-tempo hip-hop track incorporating R&B and dance elements, with a tempo of 124 beats per minute and composed in the key of C♯ minor.[14] [15] The arrangement emphasizes minimalistic instrumentation, centered on a looping, electro-influenced drum pattern and a prominent, repetitive bassline derived from a sample of "I Need a Freak" by Sexual Harrassment (1983), which provides the foundational groove and contributes to the song's hypnotic catchiness through its sparse, rhythmic drive.[16] This simplicity in production—favoring layered vocal hooks over complex orchestration—facilitates the track's accessibility and replay value, aligning with hip-hop conventions of the mid-2000s that prioritized groove repetition for commercial appeal.[10] The songwriting process originated during sessions for the Black Eyed Peas' 2005 album Monkey Business, where will.i.am handled primary production and composition, iteratively refining the beat around the sampled bassline to build a framework for vocal interplay.[16] Credits for the core track are attributed to will.i.am (William Adams) and David Payton (from the sampled source), with Fergie (Stacy Ferguson) contributing key melodic and rhythmic phrasing that shaped the final hook structure.[17] This collaborative refinement focused on honing the non-verbal elements, such as beat synchronization and bass prominence, to create a cohesive sound that underscores the group's shift toward polished, radio-friendly hip-hop hybrids during the album's development.[10]

Lyrical Themes and Analysis

Lyrics and Structure

The lyrics of "My Humps" depict Fergie portraying a female persona whose breasts and buttocks—euphemistically termed "humps" and "lovely lady lumps"—elicit gifts and financial support from male admirers, including cash, jewelry, vehicle payments, and utility bills.[2] The narrative unfolds through Fergie's verses, where she boasts of this dynamic, as in the opening verse: "My humps, my humps, my lovely lady lumps (hey) / They got you, spendin' all your money on me / And payin' my gas, and my phone bill / And payin' my car note / And payin' my rent, what?"[18] A subsequent verse extends this to luxury items: "My humps, my humps, my lovely lady lumps (hey) / In the back and the front / My salutin' all you haters tryin' to front / 'Cause my pockets stay fat / The bottom is round, got a brother on lock."[2] will.i.am contributes a contrasting verse from a male perspective, critiquing the expenditure: "She got me spendin' / Oh, spendin' all your money on me / And spendin' all your money on me / On my lovely lady lumps / On my lady lumps / On my lovely lady lumps."[18] Repetition permeates the lyrics, particularly in the chorus, where "my hump" recurs extensively to reinforce the central imagery of physical allure tied to materialism, alongside echoes of "my lovely lady lumps."[2] This pattern underscores the song's rhythmic hook without advancing narrative progression, as seen in the chorus: "My hump, my hump, my hump, my hump, my hump / My hump, my hump, my hump, my lovely lady lumps / My lovely lady lumps / My lovely lady lumps / My, my, my, my, my lovely lady lumps / Check it out!"[18] The song adheres to a conventional verse-chorus structure, commencing with a brief intro dialogue between Fergie and will.i.am setting the transactional tone: "What you gon' do with all that junk? / All that junk inside your trunk? / I'ma get-get-get-get you drunk / Get you love drunk off my hump."[2] Fergie delivers the primary verses solo, interspersed with full-group choruses for communal emphasis, followed by will.i.am's interlude verse and an extended outro reprise of the chorus.[18] The single edit version clocks in at 4:12, facilitating radio play while preserving the repetitive framework.[2]

Interpretations and Debates

The lyrics of "My Humps" have sparked debates over whether they represent female empowerment through assertive sexuality or perpetuate objectification by commodifying women's bodies for material exchange. Proponents of the empowerment perspective interpret the song as a bold celebration of bodily agency, where the female narrator wields her "humps" and "lady lumps" to demand luxury gifts like "Fendis and Fendis" from pursuing men, framing this as a reversal of relational power dynamics.[19] This view posits the track as highlighting women's strategic use of physical allure to secure concessions, aligning with narratives of sexual autonomy in pop music.[20] Opposing interpretations criticize the song for endorsing transactional sex and materialism, wherein affection is conditioned on consumer goods, reducing female worth to anatomical features exploited for profit. The lyrics explicitly link bodily display—"Check it out now"—to rewards like jewelry and vehicles, portraying relationships as barter systems that normalize body commodification over mutual respect.[21][19] Feminist analyses argue this reinforces demeaning stereotypes, with the repetitive chant of "my humps, my humps" emphasizing superficial valuation of body parts akin to merchandise, potentially contributing to cultural acceptance of self-objectification.[22][23] A minority viewpoint proposes the song's hyperbolic style functions as satire, exaggerating consumerism and sexual bargaining to mock pop culture's fixation on physicality, evidenced by its playful absurdity and lack of earnest moralizing.[22] However, this reading is contested, as the lyrics' direct, unnuanced tone and commercial framing prioritize entertainment over critique, with empirical media effects research classifying "My Humps" as highly sexual content that may shape permissive attitudes toward sex without ironic detachment.[24] Mainstream interpretations often favor empowerment amid institutional biases toward affirming sexual liberation, yet the explicit causal mechanics—body parts yielding goods—suggest a more reductive dynamic that sanitized analyses overlook.[20]

Release and Promotion

Commercial Release

"My Humps" was issued as the third single from the Black Eyed Peas' fourth studio album, Monkey Business, on September 20, 2005, through Interscope Records in the United States.[25][26] The track followed "Don't Phunk with My Heart" and "Don't Lie" as the album's lead and second singles, respectively, with its rollout leveraging the momentum from Monkey Business's May 2005 launch.[26] The single was distributed in multiple formats, including digital downloads via platforms like iTunes, physical CD singles featuring the radio edit and album versions, and promotional vinyl and CD-R copies for industry use.[25][27] European markets saw staggered releases, with CD singles appearing in late 2005, while promotional efforts prioritized U.S. radio stations.[28] Initial marketing strategies centered on radio airplay, which had already built anticipation through unofficial spins of the album track prior to the single's formal designation, alongside integration into the group's Monkey Business tour performances.[27] Interscope emphasized the song's catchy hip-hop and pop elements to target mainstream audiences, without heavy reliance on print ads or TV spots at launch.[27]

Music Video and Marketing

The music video for "My Humps," directed by Fatima Robinson and Malik Sayeed, was released in October 2005.[29] [30] It features Fergie as the central figure, dancing with backup dancers amid visuals depicting her "humps" as stacks of luxury items, including Louis Vuitton purses and jewelry presented by male admirers.[31] This surreal, metaphorical imagery emphasizes the song's themes of allure and material gifts, blending live-action performance with symbolic representations of opulence.[32] The video premiered on MTV's Total Request Live (TRL) shortly after the single's September 20, 2005, release, contributing to its rapid visibility on music television.[32] Its suggestive visuals and choreography sparked controversy for promoting sexual objectification, leading to edited versions for broadcast television to tone down explicit elements.[33] Despite backlash, the video's memorable aesthetics played a key role in marketing, earning the 2006 MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video.[34] Promotion extended through heavy rotation on MTV and similar networks, amplifying the song's cultural footprint. The official upload on YouTube, accumulating over 932 million views by 2025, underscored the video's enduring online appeal, with early metrics indicating it surpassed 100 million views by 2010 amid viral sharing and parodies.[35] This visual strategy, focusing on provocative yet catchy imagery, enhanced streams and radio play by making the track more shareable and discussion-worthy without relying solely on audio.[30]

Commercial Performance

Chart Performance

"My Humps" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 85 for the chart dated August 20, 2005, before ascending to a peak of number three the week of November 5, 2005, and charting for a total of 36 weeks.[36] The track topped charts in multiple markets outside the United States, including Australia, where it held the number-one position on the ARIA Singles Chart for two consecutive weeks starting November 21, 2005.[37] In the United Kingdom, it reached number three on the Official Singles Chart for the week of November 20, 2005.[38]
Country/RegionPeak PositionChart Source
Australia (ARIA)1ARIA Singles Chart[37]
Ireland (IRMA)1Irish Singles Chart
New Zealand (RIANZ)1Recorded Music NZ
United Kingdom3Official Singles Chart[38]
United States (Hot 100)3Billboard Hot 100
Belgium (Flanders)3Ultratop 50
Internationally, "My Humps" entered the top ten in eleven European countries and the top twenty in two others, reflecting broad radio and sales-driven performance across formats.[3] On Billboard's year-end Hot 100 for 2006, the song ranked number 42.

Sales and Certifications

"My Humps" sold over 2 million digital copies in the United States by the end of 2006, driven by strong iTunes and ringtone performance. By June 2025, cumulative units—including paid downloads, physical sales, and on-demand audio/video streams—reached 5 million, earning 5× Platinum certification from the RIAA on June 9, 2025.[39][2] The track has also accumulated over 506 million streams on Spotify as of October 2025, underscoring its enduring digital consumption among younger audiences, including Gen Z rediscoveries via social media platforms.[40]
RegionCertifying BodyCertificationUnits CertifiedDate
United StatesRIAA5× Platinum5,000,000June 9, 2025[39]
United KingdomBPIPlatinum600,000October 21, 2022[41]

Reception and Criticism

Critical Reviews

Upon its release as a single from the Black Eyed Peas' album Monkey Business on September 20, 2005, "My Humps" drew widespread condemnation from music critics for its repetitive structure, explicit yet simplistic lyrics, and perceived promotion of superficial sexual objectification. Jonah Weiner, writing for Slate on December 6, 2005, deemed it "a song so awful it hurts the mind," characterizing it as a "stunning assemblage of awful ideas" that prioritized puerile titillation over substance.[42] Pitchfork included the track in its list of the 15 worst releases of 2005, describing it as "monumentally vacuous, slapped together and tossed-off," akin to prior earworm annoyances like "Who Let the Dogs Out."[43] Critics frequently highlighted the song's lyrical focus on Fergie's "humps" (buttocks and breasts) as a vehicle for male desire and female manipulation, viewing it as emblematic of the group's shift toward formulaic pop-rap devoid of earlier social consciousness. AllMusic's review of Monkey Business singled out "My Humps" as "one of the most embarrassing rap songs of the decade," faulting its overt sexuality and lack of depth. NPR's 2011 retrospective framed it as the onset of the Black Eyed Peas' increasingly offensive output, with lyrics reducing complex dynamics to crude references.[44] Such pans extended retrospectively, with outlets like American Songwriter noting in 2023 that critics had labeled it "over-sexualized and immature."[45] A minority of reviews conceded merits in its production and performative elements, attributing the track's earworm quality to its synth-driven hook and Fergie's confident delivery. Weiner in Slate acknowledged the "playful pogo and coke-thin, ring-tone synth line" for effectively interpolating the 1982 track "I Need a Freak" by Sexual Harassment, lending a layer of musical cleverness amid the lyrical failings.[42] PopMatters later reflected on its "undeniably…pop-y" appeal, crediting the unpretentious groove for broad accessibility despite the "goofy" content.[46] The album Monkey Business aggregated a Metacritic score of 59 out of 100 from 16 critics, underscoring middling-to-negative consensus influenced by tracks like "My Humps," which amplified perceptions of artistic dilution.[47] This professional skepticism—rooted in evaluations of lyrical banality and cultural shallowness—revealed a stark divergence from audience reception, where the song's infectious simplicity propelled mass adoption irrespective of elite critique.

Public Controversy and Viewpoints

Upon its September 2005 release, "My Humps" elicited controversy for its overt lyrical focus on Fergie's breasts ("lovely lady lumps") and buttocks ("humps") as instruments for soliciting gifts and cash from men, which detractors characterized as promoting female objectification and crass materialism.[42] Music critics and cultural commentators lambasted the track's repetitive sexual innuendo as puerile titillation lacking substantive critique, arguing it normalized reductive views of women as transactional assets rather than agents of deeper narrative.[42] Conservative perspectives highlighted the song's role in broader cultural shifts toward youth sexualization, contending that such mainstream hits eroded traditional family values by desensitizing children to explicit content and fostering premature emphasis on physical allure over character.[48] Empirical studies from the mid-2000s onward have substantiated correlations between adolescents' frequent exposure to sexualized music videos and lyrics—like those in "My Humps"—and outcomes including earlier onset of sexual activity, heightened acceptance of casual sex, and distorted body image perceptions, though causation remains debated amid confounding variables such as parenting and peer influence.[49][50] Feminist viewpoints diverged sharply: proponents of empowerment narratives praised the lyrics as a bold reclamation of female sexuality, enabling women to leverage societal double standards for personal gain in a male-dominated economy.[20] Opposing feminists, however, critiqued this as superficial, asserting that the song commodified the female body in ways that perpetuated patriarchal stereotypes without meaningful subversion, likening it to a "misogynistic wolf dressed up in feminist sheep's clothing."[51] These critiques underscored causal realism in media effects, where intent to empower clashes with observable reinforcement of objectification tropes, as evidenced by content analyses rating such videos high in sexualization metrics that correlate with viewers' endorsement of gender hierarchies.[52] Libertarian-leaning arguments prioritized free expression, rejecting calls for broadcast restrictions or parental advisories as overreach, and advocated individual responsibility in media consumption over collective moral policing. This stance aligned with empirical observations that heavy-handed regulation often fails to mitigate content effects, potentially backfiring by amplifying notoriety through the Streisand effect.[50] Mainstream media coverage, often aligned with progressive outlets, tended to marginalize conservative and rigorous feminist objections in favor of celebratory framing, reflecting institutional biases that underemphasize data-driven causal links between pop culture sexualization and societal outcomes.[49]

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Covers, Parodies, and Sampling

Alanis Morissette released an acoustic cover of "My Humps" on April 1, 2007, reinterpreting the original's upbeat hip-hop style as a slow, piano-driven ballad that emphasized the lyrics' explicit content through a melancholic delivery.[51][53] This version, accompanied by a self-directed video featuring Morissette in various outfits, garnered significant online attention and was praised for satirizing the song's sensuality while showcasing her vocal range.[54] Other covers include a 1920s jazz-style rendition by Robyn Adele Anderson featuring Vanessa Dunleavy and Darcy Wright in 2017, and a children's version by MattyBRaps featuring the Haschak Sisters in 2020.[55][56] Parodies of "My Humps" often lampooned its provocative lyrics and imagery. In a 2006 MADtv sketch titled "My Slump," performers depicted a downturn in George W. Bush's approval ratings using altered lyrics to mimic the original's structure and rhythm.[57] A 2006 spoof called "My Farts" by characters Nikki and Heather portrayed a comedic party disruption, substituting flatulence-themed verses for the song's boasts about physical attributes.[58] The track's hook was also parodied in the 2016 Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode "Boyle's Hunch" as "My Hunch Song," sung by characters Charles Boyle and Jake Peralta to express investigative intuition.[59] "My Humps" has been sampled in 28 tracks, per music database records, often interpolating its bassline or vocal hooks in hip-hop and electronic contexts.[60] Notable examples include Girl Talk's "Warm It Up" from the 2006 mashup album Night Ripper, which layers the song's elements into a collage of pop and rap excerpts; Fergie's "Fergalicious" (2006), produced by will.i.am, which echoes the original's rhythmic phrasing; and Tyga and Megan Thee Stallion's "FREAK" (2020), incorporating vocal ad-libs for a trap-infused remix.[61][62][63]

Long-term Influence and Recent Relevance

"My Humps" contributed to the Black Eyed Peas' transition from underground hip-hop roots to mainstream pop-rap dominance in the mid-2000s, as evidenced by the commercial breakthrough of their 2005 album Monkey Business, which sold over 3 million copies in the U.S. alone and featured the track as a pivotal single.[64] This shift, marked by blending rap verses with danceable hooks and Fergie's prominent role, exemplified the era's pop-rap hybrid formula that influenced subsequent acts prioritizing accessibility over lyrical complexity.[44] While the song's lyrics drew criticism for promoting materialism and female objectification, it sparked broader discussions on gender representation in media, with some analyses viewing it as emblematic of provocative yet commercially viable expressions in hip-hop-influenced pop.[19] In recent years, the track has sustained relevance through digital streaming and commemorative releases. As of October 2025, "My Humps" has amassed over 506 million streams on Spotify, reflecting ongoing listener engagement nearly two decades post-release.[65] The Black Eyed Peas marked their 30th anniversary in February 2025 with vinyl reissues of key albums including Monkey Business, underscoring the song's enduring catalog value, while a dedicated 20th-anniversary edition of the album in June 2025 included remixed versions of "My Humps" to highlight its lasting production appeal.[64][66] These efforts, alongside periodic cultural nods in music retrospectives, affirm its role in the group's legacy despite initial backlash, with empirical streaming data countering narratives of obsolescence.[40]

Technical Details

Track Listings and Formats

"My Humps" was commercially released primarily as a CD single and 12-inch vinyl, with variations across regions including enhanced CDs featuring music videos and promotional inserts. The core tracks across formats consisted of the album version (duration 4:12), radio edit (3:44), instrumental (4:10), a cappella (4:08), and Lil Jon remix (3:45), though specific inclusions varied by release.[27][67]
RegionFormatCatalog NumberKey Tracks
United States12-inch vinyl (pink)B0005585-11A1: Radio Edit (3:44); A2: Instrumental (4:10); B1: Main/Album Version (5:26); B2: A Cappella (4:08)[67]
EuropeCD single (enhanced)0602498872598My Humps (album version, 4:13); My Humps (Lil Jon remix, 3:45); additional remix or video track[27]
EuropeCD maxi-single0602498872604My Humps (album version); Lil Jon remix; extended or instrumental variants[27]
AustraliaCD single (enhanced)9887259My Humps (album version); Lil Jon remix; video inclusion[27]
Digital formats included AAC files of the Lil Jon remix at 256 kbps, distributed via platforms like iTunes in North America.[27] Regional differences featured US emphasis on vinyl with colored pressing and Europe-focused CD packaging with multiple remix options, but no official inclusions of later fan-associated remixes such as those by David Guetta or Akon in primary single releases.[27]

Personnel and Production Credits

"My Humps" was written by will.i.am and David Payton, who interpolated elements from Payton's earlier composition "I Need a Freak."[2][16] The track was produced by will.i.am, who also engineered parts of the recording alongside Jason Villaroman.[2][68] Additional engineering support came from Tal Herzberg.[69] Instrumentation included drum programming, bass, clavinet, and organ performed by will.i.am, with synthesizer contributions from Printz Board and trumpet by the same musician.[70][71] Lead vocals were delivered by Fergie, with rap verses by will.i.am; background vocals featured apl.de.ap and Taboo as part of the Black Eyed Peas ensemble.[16]

Release History

"My Humps" was released as the third single from The Black Eyed Peas' album Monkey Business, with initial digital availability on September 20, 2005, via A&M Records and Interscope Records.[72][73] Promotional efforts included radio adds in the United States in October 2005.[2] Physical formats followed in late 2005 across regions, distinguishing between promotional and commercial variants under the A&M/Interscope umbrella.
DateRegionFormatLabel
September 20, 2005United KingdomDigital download (commercial)A&M Records / Interscope Records [72]
October 2005United StatesRadio promotional airplayA&M Records / Interscope Records [2]
2005United States12" vinyl (promotional)A&M Records [67]
November 11, 2005EuropeCD single (commercial)A&M Records [28]
November 14, 2005EuropeEnhanced CD single (commercial)A&M Records [74]
November 2005AustraliaCD single (commercial)Universal Music / A&M Records [27]

References

  1. My Humps - YouTube
  2. Black Eyed Peas – My Humps Lyrics - Genius
  3. My Humps | Culture Wikia | Fandom
  4. Black Eyed Peas' Top 10 Hits - Billboard
  5. BMG Sues Toy Company for Remaking Black Eyed Peas' 'My ...
  6. Black Eyed Peas drop 'Monkey Business (20th Anniversary Edition)'
  7. The Story of 'My Humps' and Why the Black Eyed Peas Don't Perform It
  8. Monkey Business | Black Eyed Peas Wiki - Fandom
  9. Song: My Humps written by will.i.am | SecondHandSongs
  10. My Humps by The Black Eyed Peas - Songfacts
  11. The Black Eyed Peas - Monkey Business
  12. Will.I.Am Is The Hit-Making Machine : The Record - NPR
  13. Will.i.am on Working With Britney Spears on 'Mind Your Business'
  14. Key & BPM for My Humps by Black Eyed Peas | Tunebat
  15. Tempo for My Humps - The Black Eyed Peas - SongBPM
  16. My Humps by Black Eyed Peas - Samples, Covers and Remixes
  17. Black Eyed Peas - My Humps - EP Lyrics and Tracklist - Genius
  18. Black Eyed Peas - My Humps Lyrics | AZLyrics.com
  19. My Humps by Black Eyed Peas Lyrics Meaning
  20. Decoding the Black Eyed Peas' 'My Humps': A 2025 Deep Dive
  21. Meaning of "My Humps" by Black Eyed Peas - Song Analysis ...
  22. My Hump by Black Eyed Peas Lyrics Meaning
  23. [PDF] The Effects of Hip-Hop and Rap on Young Women in Academia
  24. (PDF) Does Exposure to Sexual Hip-Hop Music Videos Influence the ...
  25. My Humps - Single - Album by Black Eyed Peas - Apple Music
  26. Black Eyed Peas - Monkey Business Lyrics and Tracklist - Genius
  27. The Black Eyed Peas - My Humps
  28. https://www.discogs.com/release/580733-The-Black-Eyed-Peas-My-Humps
  29. The Black Eyed Peas: My Humps (Music Video 2005) - IMDb
  30. Black Eyed Peas - My Humps (2005) - IMVDb
  31. My Humps | Music Video Wiki - Fandom
  32. My Humps | Black Eyed Peas Wiki - Fandom
  33. Week 98: Black Eyed Peas Week! #2 - My Humps - YouTube
  34. Black Eyed Peas Label Sues Maker of Pooping Unicorn Toy - Variety
  35. The Black Eyed Peas YouTube Statistics and History - Kworb.net
  36. The Black Eyed Peas | Biography, Music & News | Billboard
  37. All The ARIA Singles Chart #1s
  38. Official Singles Chart on 20/11/2005
  39. chart data on X: "US Certifications (@RIAA)
  40. https://chartmasters.org/most-streamed-songs-spotify/
  41. 2022 BPI Certifications - UK Charts - BuzzJack Music Forum
  42. A song so awful it hurts the mind.
  43. 2005 Comments & Lists: The 15 Worst Releases of 2005 | Pitchfork
  44. Pop's Punching Bag: Hating The Black Eyed Peas : The Record - NPR
  45. The Top 10 Black Eyed Peas Songs - American Songwriter
  46. Life Savers: Girl Talk - PopMatters
  47. Monkey Business by The Black Eyed Peas - Metacritic
  48. gender: objectification - Sociological Images
  49. Adolescent sexuality and the media: a review of current knowledge ...
  50. Music's Influence on Risky Sexual Behaviors: Examining the ...
  51. Alanis's My Humps cover gives the Peas a well-deserved black eye
  52. (PDF) Sexual Objectification in Music Videos: A Content Analysis ...
  53. Alanis Morissette - My Humps - YouTube
  54. Morissette's My Humps video spoof an online hit - Toronto Star
  55. My Humps (The Black Eyed Peas) 1920s Cover by Robyn Adele ft ...
  56. My Humps (MattyBRaps ft Haschak Sisters Cover) - YouTube
  57. MADtv - My Slump - YouTube
  58. My Farts (Spoof of "My Humps" by the Black Eyed Peas) - YouTube
  59. My Hunch Song - Brooklyn Nine-Nine Wiki - Fandom
  60. Songs that Sampled My Humps by Black Eyed Peas - WhoSampled
  61. Girl Talk's 'Warm It Up' sample of Black Eyed Peas's 'My Humps'
  62. Fergie feat. will.i.am's 'Fergalicious' sample of Black Eyed Peas's 'My ...
  63. My Humps Samples - Black Eyed Peas - Genius
  64. Black Eyed Peas Celebrate 30 Years With Exclusive Vinyl Reissues
  65. Black Eyed Peas - Spotify Top Songs - Kworb.net
  66. Black Eyed Peas Release 'Monkey Business' Anniversary Edition
  67. The Black Eyed Peas - My Humps
  68. Release “My Humps” by The Black Eyed Peas - MusicBrainz
  69. https://www.discogs.com/release/5686032-The-Black-Eyed-Peas-Monkey-Business
  70. https://www.discogs.com/release/476798-The-Black-Eyed-Peas-Monkey-Business
  71. Printz Board Masterminds Music's Biggest Pop Show on Earth
  72. My Humps - Single - Album by Black Eyed Peas - Apple Music
  73. My Humps by The Black Eyed Peas (Single; A&M; 988 725-9 ...
  74. https://www.discogs.com/release/1796910-The-Black-Eyed-Peas-My-Humps
User Avatar
No comments yet.