Will.i.Am Says Black Eyed Peas Aren't Considered A Black Group Because Of Huge Success

It may be hard for some to remember, but there was a time when Black Eyed Peas ruled the charts. It was right after their third album Elephunk came out and Fergie was still in the group. 

Lead member Will.I.Am spoke about Black Eyed Peas' success during a recent interview and how it bothers him that they aren't considered a Black group. [Jump to the 32:59 mark]

“In 2004, Black Eyed Peas, we were just trying to get on," said Will on Wyclef Jean's Run That Back podcast. "Like, I’m a Black dude but when you think of Black Eyed Peas, we got so big and it hurts, it still hurts a little bit, that we’re not considered a Black group because we got that big ... And when you think of Black Eyed Peas ... it’s no longer urban or Black culture, which is not good for the Black community ... Black Eyed Peas is not looked at as a Black group because we had international success."

Is Will right?