Peas' "Feeling" hits 6m downloads, a first

THE 6 MILLION DOWNLOAD MAN: The Black Eyed Peas’ ubiquitous smash "I Gotta Feeling" has become the first track to sell 6 million downloads, SoundScan confirmed this morning. "That means that they chose to support the group, support the art," said will.i.am to AP reporter Nekesa Mumby Moody. "God knows how many people listened to it online and didn't buy it, downloaded it for free and didn't think about it." The song, with its message of hope, appeared at a particularly dark moment. "It's a positive, feel-good song at the time where there's question marks and uncertainty,” will.i.am pointed out. “People want to be reminded that it's going to be all right." He added that a new album, The Beginning, is almost finished and likely due before the end of the year. (7/30a)