Fergie Serves It Solo

08/10/2006 5:07 PM, E! Online


Fergie is gettin' it started, all right.

The Black Eyed Peas' frontwoman has announced a release date for her hotly anticipated solo debut just as the album's first single, "London Bridge," climbs to the top of the Billboard charts.

Her lovely lady humps must be in quite the tizzy.

Fergie has announced plans to drop The Dutchess Sept. 19, marking not only her solo debut, but the first album released off fellow Pea Will.I.Am's record label--the aptly, if uninspired, named Will.I.Am Music Group.

While the songbird, whose real name is Stacy Ferguson, has yet to address the story behind her album's title, it's been widely reported that it's a play on the nickname she shares with Sarah Ferguson, Britain's Duchess of York.

The fact that her debut single references the U.K. could either be a sly substantiation of the rumors or simply a coincidence.

In any case, while the album is billed as a solo effort that doesn't mean Fergie didn't get some help.

Will.I.Am, who produced most of the record's tracks, lends his voice to the album, as do Ludacris and Rita Marley.

And if the debut single's performance is any indication, the album is primed to be a success.

"London Bridge" ascended to the top of the Billboard singles charts this week, reaching number one on both the Hot 100 and Hot Digital Songs charts, as well as nabbing the top slot on the iTunes Top 100.

The track debuted July 17 at an unimpressive 84 on the Hot 100, only to make the jump to five in its second week. The leap marked the second biggest week-to-week jump in Hot 100 history, bested only by "Breaking Free," a track off the unstoppable High School Musical soundtrack.

Fergie is currently on tour with the Peas, who are spanning the globe in support of their multiplatinum 2005 album, Monkey Business.

The group's "My Humps" is also up for Best Hip-Hop Video at the MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 31.