will.i.am

will.i.am
Name	will.i.am
Caption	will.i.am performing in 2013
Birth name	William James Adams Jr.
Birth date	15 March 1975
Birth place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, entrepreneur, philanthropist
Years active	1988–present
Associated acts	The Black Eyed Peas, Atban Klann
Website	iamwill.com

will.i.am. William James Adams Jr., known professionally as will.i.am, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He is a founding member and frontman of the hip hop group The Black Eyed Peas, with whom he has achieved global commercial success. Renowned for his innovative production style and futuristic aesthetic, he has also pursued a prolific solo career and established himself as a significant figure in technology and philanthropy.

Early life and education

William James Adams Jr. was born and raised in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. He attended Roosevelt High School, where his early interest in music flourished. Alongside fellow student apl.de.ap, he formed the rap group Atban Klann, which was later signed by Eazy-E to his label Ruthless Records. This early exposure to the Los Angeles hip hop scene provided a crucial foundation for his future career, though the group disbanded after Eazy-E's death in 1995.

Music career

will.i.am's music career ascended with the reformation of Atban Klann into The Black Eyed Peas in 1995, alongside apl.de.ap, Taboo, and later vocalist Fergie. The group achieved mainstream breakthrough with their third studio album, Elephunk (2003), featuring global hits like "Where Is the Love?" and "Let's Get It Started". As the group's primary producer and songwriter, he helmed subsequent multi-platinum albums including Monkey Business and The E.N.D., which spawned the international number-one single "I Gotta Feeling". His solo work includes albums like Songs About Girls and the singles "It's My Birthday" and "Scream & Shout", a collaboration with Britney Spears. He has also produced for numerous major artists, including Michael Jackson, U2, and Rihanna, and served as a coach on the British version of the television series The Voice UK.

Business ventures and philanthropy

Beyond music, will.i.am is a prominent technology entrepreneur and investor. He founded the consumer electronics company i.am+, which has developed products like the BUTTONS wireless earbuds. He has worked extensively with Intel as a creative director and is a strategic advisor for SoundHound Inc.. His philanthropic efforts are channeled through the i.am.angel Foundation, which focuses on educational opportunities in STEM fields for underserved youth in communities like Boyle Heights. The foundation's initiatives include the i.am College Track program and partnerships with organizations such as NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to inspire students in technology and science.

Discography and filmography

With The Black Eyed Peas, his discography includes major label albums such as Behind the Front, Bridging the Gap, Elephunk, and The Beginning. His solo studio albums are Lost Change, Must B 21, and Songs About Girls. His filmography includes voice acting roles in animated films like Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and Rio, and cameo appearances in features such as X-Men Origins: Wolverine. He also composed music for major motion pictures, including the theme song for The Great Gatsby.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, will.i.am has received numerous accolades. With The Black Eyed Peas, he has won multiple Grammy Awards, including for "Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group" for "My Humps" and "Best Pop Vocal Album" for The E.N.D.. The group's hit "I Gotta Feeling" spent a record 14 consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. Individually, he has been honored with awards from MTV Video Music Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, and was named "Innovator of the Year" at the 2013 Webby Awards. His philanthropic work earned him the 2019 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award.

Personal life

will.i.am maintains a relatively private personal life and has never been married. He is known for his distinctive fashion sense, often featuring futuristic and tech-inspired attire. A longtime resident of Los Angeles, he is an avid supporter of his hometown and its cultural institutions. He has been involved in various political and social campaigns, including efforts to promote voter registration and support for Barack Obama's presidential campaigns. His interests extend to space exploration, leading to collaborations with NASA and participation in events like the 2024 total solar eclipse broadcast on NASA TV.

Category:American rappers Category:American record producers Category:American philanthropists Category:The Black Eyed Peas members