The Black Eyed Peas' sixth album, The Beginning is the follow-up to the group's blockbuster 2009 CD The E.N.D. While the title of The E.N.D. was a play on words (standing for "The Energy Never Dies"), the new album's title, The Beginning, "refers to what is actually happening in the world right now," says will.i.am. "The Beginning is symbolic of adopting new technologies, such as augmented reality, 3D, and 360 video. It's also about being experimental and taking songs we've liked from the past and playing around with sick, crazy beats."

In keeping with that manifesto, the first single from The Beginning is "The Time (Dirty Bit)," which is built around a sample from the classic 1987 theme from Dirty Dancing, ("I've Had) The Time of My Life," recorded by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. "The song is a celebration of this amazing time in our lives," says vocalist Fergie. "We've been on tour all over the world, and looking out at stadiums full of people who came out to see us -- that's as big as it gets. After the shows, we go out to the clubs and meet the fans; those are moments that we have to remember." "Plus the fact that we get to experience it with each other," adds vocalist apl.de.ap, "that's the best feeling ever."