Grammy Award-Winning Musician, Black Eyed Peas
Taboo: Biography at a Glance
- Jimmy Gomez is best known as Taboo, a member of the Grammy Award-winning and global chart-topping sensation, The Black Eyed Peas.
- The group is behind the global hits, "Where Is the Love?," "Don't Phunk With My Heart," "My Humps," "Boom Boom Pow," and "I Gotta Feelin" and has sold an estimated 80 million albums worldwide.
- The rapper was diagnosed with stage 2 testicular cancer for which he is now in remission, and he has opened up about his grueling treatments and struggles with the diagnosis.
- He penned an autobiography, Fallin' Up: My Story, detailing his rise from the poverty and gang violence of East L.A. to the heights of international fame.
- Taboo, who has Shoshone in his heritage has used his platform as a Native American artist to stand up for local tribes, including protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline.
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Biography
The multi-talented and exceptionally stylish Jimmy Gomez, also known to his band mates and fans as “Taboo” is not just a member of the global chart-topping sensation, The Black Eyed Peas, but also an accomplished dancer, actor, author, and philanthropist.
Born in East Los Angeles, Taboo followed his dream of being an entertainer and rose from humble beginnings to unimaginable success.
The fates aligned when Taboo was introduced to his fellow band mates will.i.am and apl.de.ap at a break dancing club in LA. The trio formed a friendship that would later evolve into a group that called themselves The Black Eyed Peas, as they felt their music was “food for the soul”.
Later, vocalist Fergie joined the group and they released the breakout album Elephunk launching The Black Eyed Peas into superstardom. Monkey Business, their fourth album followed with more global hits such as “Don’t Phunk With My Heart” and “My Humps.” With their fifth album debuting at the top of the charts, The E.N.D. broke several Billboard records, with singles like “Boom Boom Pow” and “I Gotta Feelin” staying at #1 for over 27 weeks.
The group released their sixth album The Beginning and, shortly after, had the honor of performing at the Superbowl XLV halftime show, solidifying them as one of the biggest acts in music history. Taboo also has the distinction of being the first Mexican/Native American to headline the Superbowl halftime show.
Having sold an estimated 80 million albums worldwide, the Grammy-award winners have brought their enigmatic fusion of pop, hip-hop, and dance music to a huge global audience. Taboo is now a driving force behind BEP’s return to the spotlight.
Taboo published his autobiography, Fallin' Up: My Story, in which he shares the inspiring story of his rise from the poverty and gang violence of East L.A. to the heights of international fame.
The rapper was diagnosed with Stage 2 testicular cancer in 2014. He underwent 12 weeks of aggressive chemotherapy and today is cancer free. During his treatment, he wrote the song, "The Fight," which was released in partnership with the American Cancer Society.
Taboo is a passionate supporter of Native American rights and environmental protection. He uses his platform to support local tribes and made headlines for his opposition of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
