The Dutchess

For other uses, see Dutchess (disambiguation), Duchess (disambiguation), and The Duchess (disambiguation).
The Dutchess
Standard edition cover; the background is colored black on the deluxe edition cover
Studio album by
Fergie
ReleasedSeptember 13, 2006 (2006-09-13)
Recorded2005–2006[1][2]
StudioThe Black Eyed Peas Tour Bus and Morningview Studio
Genre
Length58:00
Label
Producer
Fergie chronology
The Dutchess
(2006) 		Double Dutchess
(2017)
Singles from The Dutchess
  1. "London Bridge"
    Released: July 18, 2006
  2. "Fergalicious"
    Released: October 23, 2006
  3. "Glamorous"
    Released: January 23, 2007
  4. "Big Girls Don't Cry"
    Released: May 22, 2007
  5. "Clumsy"
    Released: September 25, 2007
  6. "Finally"
    Released: March 18, 2008

The Dutchess is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter and rapper Fergie. It was released through A&M Records and the will.i.am Music Group on September 13, 2006. Her first solo effort, it was recorded between the Black Eyed Peas' tour in 2005, and the songs were written in the eight years preceding its release. Fergie wanted to create an autobiographical album that would be more intimate between her and the listener. Musically, it experiments with different music genres, including pop, hip hop, R&B, reggae, punk rock and soul. Lyrically, it contains themes about critics, love, and her personal drug abuse and addiction.

The Dutchess peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200 and was praised by music critics for its production and Fergie's vocals, but some criticized its lyrics and felt the material was not strong enough for her voice. It has since been considered an influential pop album of the 2000s. It was certified five times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), and has sold 12 million copies worldwide.[4] It was nominated for the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ("Big Girls Don't Cry") and the 2008 Juno Award for International Album of the Year, among other accolades.

The Dutchess is one of the best-selling albums of the 2000s, propelled by five of its singles which set a number of records. "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Glamorous", and "London Bridge" topped the Billboard Hot 100, and "Clumsy" and "Fergalicious" appeared within the top five, making Fergie the second female to achieve three Billboard Hot 100 topping singles from one album. Those singles also sold over two million digital downloads individually in the United States, setting a record in the digital era for the most multi-platinum singles from one album, which Fergie held until 2012.[5][6]

  1. ^ "Black Eyed Peas Back In 'Business'". Billboard. 2005-06-11. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  2. ^ Jane Stevenson (2005-06-05). "CANOE – JAM! - Interview with hip-hop diva Stacy Ferguson". Jam.canoe.ca. Archived from the original on 2012-05-25. Retrieved 2014-08-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ Perry, Kathryn (October 10, 2006). "Fergie – CD Reviews". The Boston Phoenix. Phoenix Media/Communications Group. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  4. ^ "'The Duchess' Turns 13". PAPER. 2019-09-15. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  5. ^ "Week Ending April 19, 2009: She's The Youngest To Ever Do It – Chart Watch". New.music.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2009. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  6. ^ "Week Ending February 12, 2012. Songs: Luv For Madonna – Chart Watch". New.music.yahoo.com. 16 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-19.