Double vinyl LP pressing. The Dutchess is the debut studio album by singer/actress Fergie. It was released on 13 September 2006. The album was recorded between The Black Eyed Peas' tour in 2005, and the songs were written throughout the last eight years that preceded it's release. While developing the album, Fergie wanted to create an autobiographical album that would be more intimate between her and the listener. By doing so, the album experiments with different music genres, including pop, hip hop, R&B, reggae, punk rock and soul. Lyrically, The Dutchess has themes about love and critics, while also dealing with her drug abuse and addiction.