Black Eyed Peas’ Taboo Teases New Marvel Project Ahead of Dora Role | Interview

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In an interview conducted by Senior Editor Brandon Schreur from ComingSoon, Taboo of Black Eyed Peas along with his daughter Jett shared insights about their involvement in “Dora’s Song For Papi,” an upcoming episode in Dora‘s third season. They talked candidly about voicing the characters Quickatoo and Quickatina, creating music for the show, and various other aspects of their roles.

In this adventure, Dora journeys through the rainforest, composing a tune to honor her father on their special Father’s Day!

The third season of Dora will begin streaming on Paramount+ on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

Brandon Schreur: Taboo, you’ve participated in several episodes of the Dora series recently, in which your character appears. Could you share with me the reasons that led you to join this new series, and what aspects of the character you voice, Quickatoo, have been the most enjoyable for you to portray thus far?

Speaking about the privilege of belonging to such an enduring brand that carries so much history and significance is truly unique. As a native Mexican, having Dora, this inspiring matriarch who mirrors our community, on the big screen and TV series, is particularly meaningful. It’s like winning a huge blessing for us, allowing us to champion heroes who resemble us and inspire our children, including my own daughter. So when they asked if I would join them on this beautiful journey, it was an offer I couldn’t refuse.

I began acting around 2003 or 2004 when I made my first movie. From there, I’ve been honing my skills and improving. I’ve devoted countless hours to perfecting my craft. Voice-over work comes naturally to me since we all use our voices in various ways when reading or having conversations at home. We often exchange creative humor and laughter. It felt like a natural fit for me to be part of this entertaining, humorous environment.

I’ll keep on with it, buddy. Plus, involving my daughter makes this experience even more blessedly enriching. (This version maintains the conversational tone and emphasizes the positive aspect of including the daughter in the journey.)

Absolutely, I’m thrilled about it! You know, Jett, you also get to lend your voice to a character in this new season of Dora. Can’t help but wonder, wasn’t it an incredible experience for you to work together with your dad on that? It must have been quite exciting!

Jett: Indeed. That part was the best for me since we create voices and characters at home. Consequently, I found it familiar and jumped right in.

Taboo: It was a straightforward thing. To be honest, if we were in the recording studio, I’d simply say, ‘Jett, relax.’ It took courage to do what I did. Often, when a director instructs you to ‘give it your all now,’ or ‘be subtle here,’ or ‘laugh naturally,’ Jett had never managed to laugh on command before, so finding the right laughter, the appropriate tone, and the perfect rhythm became crucial. Ensuring she grasped the nuances of each line and dialogue was key because I suggested she imagine we were just casually reading at home. She took direction extremely well since I told her, ‘Jett, just act like we’re at home.’

I really appreciate that! It reminds me of a question I was about to ask, Taboo. As a father, what does it feel like for you to witness your daughter joining in on this? It appears to be such a unique and wonderful experience for both of you to participate together. Are you exceptionally proud when you’re in the recording studio and see her developing her own character like this?

Taboo: It’s because I have immense pride and great admiration for Jett’s creative abilities. She’s incredibly gifted, and I want to nurture that talent further. I’m not boasting or being conceited; rather, I’m expressing confidence in my daughter. I believe she has the potential if she continues to practice, invest time, and hone her skills. She could achieve something truly remarkable. With my guidance, encouragement, love, and support – I intend to be an advocate for her artistic journey. We both enjoy this experience. When we share joy in doing something together, as a father and daughter, but also as creators, I want to foster that connection even more.

Absolutely! It’s fantastic to witness this project, and it seems incredibly unique to be involved. By the way, I was intrigued by the new tune for Dora’s latest episode – I found myself humming it this morning, it was simply catchy! I must say, I was quite captivated by it. Could you share some insights about how this song was conceived and brought to fruition? What particular challenges did you encounter in composing a tune for Dora the Explorer compared to your other musical projects?

Taboo: For years, a simple melody named “Melodía” sat in my hard drive. It was nothing more than a tune without any lyrics. As we moved forward with it, there might have been a rough vocal attempt, but it didn’t develop beyond that initial stage. However, when the chance came to be involved in Dora, I felt compelled to offer more than just dialogue or character portrayal. So, instead, I decided to write a song that could fit within an episode.

When I shared the idea of creating an episode based on the song “Melodía” with Richie, he suggested weaving into it a narrative that reflects the tune you wrote while also highlighting Dora’s affection for Papi, as your daughter will be involved in this episode and she’s part of the song too. I agreed, finding it to be an ideal partnership.

Kudos to Nickelodeon and Paramount for allowing me the chance to offer an original creation. I understand that, when you’re in the Dora universe, much of it is internal. But for me, as a producer, writer, and creative mind, to contribute a fresh song – one written by me and produced by me – from outside was truly enchanting.

Absolutely, I agree! The outcome was fantastic. By the way, here’s an interesting question about Dora: Which of her iconic songs do you find yourself humming at home most often? ‘I’m the Map,’ ‘Swiper No Swiping,’ and so on are all classics we remember fondly. Do you have a favorite that resonates with you the most?

Jett: Backpack.

That catchy tune about backpacks really strikes a chord with me. It’s simple and versatile, making it perfect for a hip-hop song. I adore that song, although the others are great too. The fact that it represents my daily routine makes it even more special. My kid Jett also carries a backpack to school, so it resonates with us on multiple levels.

I have one more question, if it’s not too much trouble. I must confess, I’m a big fan of comics myself, and your Deadly Neighborhood Spider-Man series from a few years back really caught my attention. It’s actually sitting on a shelf nearby. Out of curiosity, are you thinking about working on something similar again or perhaps taking on another Marvel character?

It’s intriguing that you mentioned it. As a matter of fact, I am working on a new book with the same company. I hesitate to reveal it at the moment since we are currently focusing on Nickelodeon projects – feel free to spread the word if you wish. By 2025, I will be releasing this new book. Furthermore, I have a podcast named Taboo’s Comics and Kicks, where we delve into comic books, both those I’ve written and ones I admire, along with storytelling. Additionally, we discuss toys, action figures, as they complement comic books, and sneakers, because I am an avid collector of them.

We aim to incorporate discussions featuring characters such as Rufio from Hook, portrayed by Dante Basco, or individuals like Eric Bauza, known for voicing Bugs Bunny. Additionally, we’re eager to involve Marvel writers, artists, and animators to create a harmonious blend of pop culture enthusiasm and deep-rooted fandom that appeals to the wider audience. And yes, you can expect lively discussions about Dora!

Thanks to Taboo and Jett for taking the time to discuss Dora.

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2025-06-13 00:41