Fresh off of a public split from her husband Josh Duhamel, Fergie released her second solo album on Sept. 22 with soul, tears and a few hot collabs. The Black Eyed Peas frontwoman didn’t hold back on her latest effort, Double Dutchess. Not only is the album her most intimate work to date, but Fergie also put in the “work” by compiling the music videos from the songs on the album into a film that’s called Double Dutchess: Seeing Double. The film was released on Sept. 20 at iPic Theaters, two days before the album was released.

The Black Eyed Peas Jan. 2011 JMG Cover

Fergie holds her own on Double Dutchess, and comes through as an in-your-face confident woman who can sing, dance, dominate and even spit a few rhymes if you can handle it. My favorite song from the 13-song CD is “You Already Know” featuring Nicki Minaj. It’s a feisty track that effortlessly blends the worlds of dance music and hip-hop, with lyrics and a beat you can’t help but to dance to. The song samples the 1988 Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock song “It Takes Two,” and serves it justice. “You Already Know” deserves a top 10 placement on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Now let’s see if it can get it there.

The Black Eyed Peas were the featured artists for JMG magazine’s January 2011 Music issue. They were on the cover and appeared in a multi-page article in the magazine. I interviewed apl.de.ap, who spoke with me on behalf of the group, and this was the first time Fergie, will.i.am, aple.de.ap and Taboo appeared in JMG.

The Peas’ appearance in JMG was in support of their album The Beginning. The album was filled with hip-hop, pop and EDM-inspired songs which have influenced the sounds on Double Dutchess. However, as a solo artist, the mic solely belongs to Fergie with only a handful of collabs on the album, which includes YG, Rick Ross and, of course, Nicki.

For more on Fergie and Double Dutchess, visit fergie.com.