Fergie to Release Solo Album, Tour With Black Eyed Peas

Branching out to a solo career a la Beyonce, Fergie is gearing up for release of her solo debut, The Dutchess.

The anticipated album from the female fronting The Black Eyed Peas will hit stores September 19, and was produced by the record label of Peas bandmate will.i.am. Said label is fittingly called will.i.am Music Group / A&M Records.

The Dutchess is the eagerly awaited first release from the will.i.am Music Group. The label was launched this year by will.i.am, The Black Eyed Peas� other frontman and in-demand producer. We really just enjoy writing will.i.am.

The CD, which features her already released single "London Bridge," shows off Fergie's ability as a solo artist, while featuring such artists as Ludacris and Rita Marley. Since its debut July 17, "London Bridge," has risen from #84 to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

The song's video, directed by Marc Webb, has taken up residence at MTV, remaining on TRL since its debut on July 18th.

A member of the Black Eyed Peas since 2002, when the group became a global sensation with the release of Elephunk, Fergie has helped the eclectic crew become an international success story, selling over 17 million records worldwide. She and the Peas are currently on tour throughout the U.S. and Canada.

What's Fergie's secret to success? Maybe it's her laid-back attitude. She recently revealed she hasn�t weighed herself in years because she doesn�t think it�s a good gauge, she told J-14 magazine.

"I�m more interested in how my clothes fit," she said. "Sometimes I�ll put a bathing suit on, just to look at my body and listen to it - even if it�s the dead of winter."