will.i.am
Biography
William James Adams Jr., known professionally as will.i.am, was born on March 15, 1975, in Los Angeles, California. Raised in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, he was encouraged by his mother to be unique and pursue his passion for music. In high school, he met Allan Pineda (apl.de.ap), and together they formed a rap group called Atban Klann. The group was signed by Eazy-E to his label Ruthless Records in 1992.
The Black Eyed Peas
After Eazy-E's death in 1995, the group reformed as the Black Eyed Peas, with will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo. They signed with Interscope Records and released their debut album, "Behind the Front," in 1998. The addition of singer Fergie in 2001 marked a turning point for the group, leading to mainstream success. Their 2003 album, "Elephunk," featured the hit single "Where Is the Love?," which became their first major hit and the biggest-selling single in the U.K. for that year. The group went on to release a string of successful albums, including "Monkey Business" (2005), "The E.N.D." (2009), and "The Beginning" (2010), selling over 80 million records worldwide.
Solo Career and Production Work
Alongside his work with The Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am has pursued a solo career, releasing four albums: "Lost Change" (2001), "Must B 21" (2003), "Songs About Girls" (2007), and "#willpower" (2013). He is also a highly sought-after producer, having collaborated with numerous artists, including Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Usher, and Justin Timberlake.
Notable Solo Albums
His third solo album, "Songs About Girls," featured the single "I Got It From My Mama". His fourth album, "#willpower," included collaborations with major artists like Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, and Miley Cyrus.
Other Ventures
Technology and Entrepreneurship
will.i.am has a keen interest in technology and has founded the tech company i.am+. He was also a founding equity stakeholder in Beats Electronics, the company behind Beats by Dre™ headphones. He has collaborated with companies like Coca-Cola on the Ekocycle brand, which promotes sustainability, and has served as a strategic board advisor for the app-only bank Atom. In 2011, Intel named him director of creative innovation. He is also the Founder & CEO of FYI.AI, a Web 3.0 AI messenger.
Television and Film
He has served as a coach on the reality television shows "The Voice UK" and "The Voice Australia". He has also appeared in films, including "X-Men Origins: Wolverine".
Philanthropy
will.i.am is the founder of the i.am Angel Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides educational opportunities in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) to underserved youth. The foundation offers after-school programs and college scholarships.