On the latest episode of DJ Premier's So Wassup, he breaks down the making of "B.E.P. Empire" by the Black Eyed Peas. Preemo explains that he first witnessed the Black Eyed Peas on the Smokin' Grooves Tour in '98, which included Cypress Hill, Public Enemy, Busta Rhymes & The Flip Mode Squad, Roc Marciano (as part of Flip Mode), Alchemist (as roadie for Cypress Hill), Wyclef, Pras, Canibus and Mya.
"This group that I had never heard of or seen was an opening act," Premier shared. " They were so unique. They were called the Black Eyed Peas. This was 1998 and they danced and performed so unlike they do now. They were different, original, and gave you a good performance. We'd be backstage sayin' 'Them Black Eyed Peas dudes gonna blow.'"