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A founding member of the six-time Grammy Award-winning group Black Eyed Peas, it might be easy to think that Taboo has always had it easy. However, as a Mexican-American with Shoshone blood on his mother's side, Jaime Luis Gomez started experiencing adversity and limitations imposed on him by society at a young age. In his book, FALLIN' UP: My Story, the pop star tells the riveting story of his journey from the drug crime-ridden neighborhoods of L.A. to the packed performance sites that he and the group sell out around the world.

Taboo spent his childhood in a mixed-race community where his grandmother exposed him to the Spanish music that she adored. As a teenager, he stayed true to the tunes of his Spanish culture while at the same time embracing the pulse of hip hop as he became the community's first break dancer. He claims that "no one...had ever heard of a Mexican b-boy. I was a hip hop kid in a community where there was no such thing as hip hop kids."

Unknowingly stamping a name for himself that would be used in a future of success, Taboo was the tag he first used when doodling in school which represented the path he was making for himself - "Off-limits. Unspeakable. Something forbidden. Something non-conformist."

Throughout the book, Taboo traces the rise of the Black Eyed Peas and reveals the inner workings of the music business during the 1990s and 2000s. He describes the emotions and exhilaration of performing for audiences all over the world and spending months on tour away from home, family and normalcy. His description of the evolution of the pop group offers an unprecedented look at the shaping of their style as they stepped outside their hip-hop foundation and integrated elements from different musical traditions to create a sound all their own.

Although he tells stories of Grammy Awards, platinum albums, sold-out concerts and success, Taboo also goes into darker tales of his life involving drugs and alcohol, his long neglect of the son he had at 18 and missteps and mistakes that could have cost him his career. He makes a genuine point to thank and show love to his son, friends and family, and his fellow bandmates for their unconditional support when he finally decided to turn his life around.

FALLIN' UP provides the first inside look at the making of the Black Eyed Peas and is a must-read for fans old and new.

To get to know Taboo a little bit deeper, check out this interview as he speaks on the inspirations, ego-checking, and people that helped shape him into who he is today.

FALLIN' UP: My Story hits stores tomorrow, February 8.