will.i.am: Biography, Success Story, Black Eyed Peas

William Adams, known professionally as will.i.am, has etched a significant mark on the world of music and beyond. His journey from the tough streets of Boyle Heights to global fame is not just a success story but a source of inspiration. From his early days with the Black Eyed Peas, releasing albums like Elephunk and The E.N.D. to his ventures into technology and philanthropy, will.i.am’s biography is a reflection of his relentless creativity and drive.

Early Life

William Adams was born on March 15, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, to an African-American mother, Debra Cain, and a Jamaican father, William Adams Sr.¹ Raised solely by his mother in the Estrada Courts housing projects in Boyle Heights², a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, Adams grew up as one of the few African-American residents. His upbringing was marked by his mother’s encouragement to stand out and resist the common paths followed by his peers. To further his potential in music, his mother sent him to attend schools in the more affluent areas of West Los Angeles, including Paul Revere Charter Middle School and Palisades Charter High School. These schools were far from his home, requiring a daily bus journey.

Adams started attending raves with his classmate Pasquale Rotella³ during his school years. This later influenced his music style, particularly on the Black Eyed Peas’ albums The E.N.D. and The Beginning. Despite his affinity for the electro and house music elements used in these albums, Adams preferred to keep underground rave culture distinct from mainstream pop due to its secretive and exclusive nature.

I was born and raised in the ghetto, on welfare, two minutes from homeless.

will.i.am

Adams’ early life also featured significant influences from his family, particularly his uncle, former NFL player Lynn Cain, who inspired him during his formative years. He also met Allan Pineda, better known as apl.de.ap, who would later join him in the Black Eyed Peas during his high school period. While still in high school, Adams and Pineda began performing at clubs in East Los Angeles and eventually formed the socially conscious rap group Atban Klann and three others. Their group caught the attention of rapper Eazy-E and music executive Mason Miller, leading to a contract with Ruthless Records in 1992.

Career

1988–2000: Evolution of will.i.am and the Black Eyed Peas

William Adams, known professionally as will.i.am, embarked on his music career in the summer of 1988 during his eighth-grade year after meeting Allan Pineda (apl.de.ap) and Dante Santiago⁴. The trio started performing around Los Angeles, catching the attention of rapper and entrepreneur Eazy-E, who signed them to Ruthless Records in 1992. At this early stage, Will performed under the moniker “Will 1X.” Their initial work included the song “Merry Muthafuckin’ Xmas” on Eazy-E’s 5150: Home 4 tha Sick (1992). They proceeded to work on an album titled Grass Roots with producers Mookie Mook and DJ Motiv8, but the project was shelved following Eazy-E’s untimely death in 1995.

Following this setback, the group rebranded themselves from Atban Klann to Black Eyed Pods, with Will bringing Jaime Gomez, known as Taboo, into the mix, replacing Dante Santiago. In 1997, another rebrand refined their name to Black Eyed Peas. They commenced recording their debut album, Behind the Front, with assistance from soul singer Kim Hill. This album caught the interest of Interscope Records, leading to the release of their debut single, “Joints & Jam,” in early 1998. The success of their debut was significant enough to secure a continuation of their contract with Interscope. By 2000, the Black Eyed Peas released their second album, Bridging the Gap, further establishing their presence in the music industry.

2000–2003: From Lost Change to Elephunk

In the early 2000s, William Adams, popularly known as will.i.am, was forging his path both as a solo artist and with his group, the Black Eyed Peas. After the group’s album Bridging the Gap, will.i.am ventured into his solo career with Lost Change in 2000. This album, which doubled as the soundtrack for the film of the same name, featured collaborations with artists like Medusa, Planet Asia, and Terry Dexter and was met with critical acclaim.

In November 2001, will.i.am and the Black Eyed Peas began crafting their third album, Elephunk. Released in 2003, this album marked a significant turning point for the group. During the production of the hit single “Shut Up,” they realized a female voice could enhance the song. Although Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls was initially approached, contractual commitments prevented her from participating. Instead, Fergie was introduced to the group by Danté Santiago, and her impressive vocal skills quickly made her a permanent member. Fergie’s integration into the band was so seamless that she was included on the album cover.

Elephunk reached number 14 on the Billboard 200 in the United States and achieved international success, particularly in the UK, where it soared to number 3 on the album charts. Globally, the album sold 8.5 million copies. The album featured the groundbreaking single “Where Is the Love?” with Justin Timberlake, which, along with “Shut Up,” propelled the album to global fame. Both singles topped the UK Singles Chart. Another track from the album, “Hey Mama,” gained prominence in advertisements for Apple and iTunes, while “Let’s Get It Started” received acclaim and was covered in the movie Hot Tub Time Machine.

During this prolific period, will.i.am also produced music for other media. In 2002, he recorded “Secrets” for the soundtrack of Dexter’s Laboratory: The Hip-Hop Experiment and had previously composed theme music for the animated series Samurai Jack.

Following Elephunk‘s success, the group collaborated with Electronic Arts in 2004 for the game The Urbz, remixing tracks from Elephunk into Simlish and creating new tracks. This further showcased their versatility and expanded their reach into new mediums.

2003–2006: The Black Eyed Peas and Monkey Business

In November 2003, will.i.am and the Black Eyed Peas commenced work on their fourth studio album, Monkey Business, the second to feature new member Fergie. Released in 2005, Monkey Business soared to remarkable success, achieving triple Platinum status in the U.S. as certified by the RIAA and selling over 10 million copies worldwide. The album also received accolades in Canada and Australia, with both the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) and the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) certifying it 6× Platinum.

Monkey Business excelled in sales and critical acclaim, securing four nominations at the 2006 Grammy Awards. The group won the Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for their hit “Don’t Phunk with My Heart.” The album enjoyed robust sales in Europe, with over 2 million copies sold, and reached significant milestones in the UK, selling over 1 million copies. Despite its success, these figures were somewhat shy of their previous album, Elephunk, which had higher sales.

If you are a chef, no matter how good a chef you are, it’s not good cooking for yourself; the joy is in cooking for others – it’s the same with music.

will.i.am

Following this intense activity and success, the band paused and focused on individual projects. will.i.am took this opportunity to collaborate with Fergie on her debut solo album, The Dutchess, released in 2006. He also began working with Michael Jackson on a new album in 2006. This project extended until Jackson’s untimely death in 2009, at which point will.i.am stated that none of the material from their sessions would be released, though some remixes he produced were included on Jackson’s Thriller 25 anniversary album in 2008.

2007–2009: will.i.am’s Musical Innovations and Political Engagement

In 2007, will.i.am expanded his musical ventures by announcing the creation of an all-female soul band, the Paradiso Girls. He aimed to collaborate with them on his solo project, Songs About Girls, which was released the same year. The album produced singles such as “I Got It From My Mama,” One More Chance,” and “Heartbreaker.” Despite the buzz, it sold just 75,000 copies, slightly improving his earlier solo efforts. That year, he also remixed “With Love,” a song by actress and singer Hilary Duff.

2008 was a pivotal year for will.i.am. He contributed the track “One Tribe” to the charity album Songs for Survival and was featured on Flo Rida’s debut album Mail on Sunday with the track “In the Ayer.” Additionally, he appeared on Usher’s fifth album, Here I Stand. His political engagement peaked with the announcement of his album Change is Now: Renewing America’s Promise, inspired by Barack Obama‘s presidential campaign. The album’s standout single, “Yes We Can,” featured a music video with celebrity appearances crafted from excerpts of Obama’s speech following the New Hampshire primary. The video became a viral sensation, amassing millions of views and earning a Daytime Emmy Award for innovative approaches in entertainment.⁵

The momentum continued with “We Are the Ones,” released in February 2008, which showcased various celebrities voicing their support for Obama. Following Obama’s election win, will.i.am released “It’s a New Day,” celebrating this historical achievement. The song’s video debuted on The Oprah Winfrey Show captured the public’s elated reactions.

In early 2009, will.i.am’s musical response to the infamous incident where Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards resulted in “The Jackass Song,” which sampled West’s “Heartless.” This track, along with “America’s Song” featuring vocals from prominent artists like Seal and Bono, underscored will.i.am’s commitment to blending music with social and political themes, marking an influential period in his career.

2009–2016: A Decade of Music, Innovation, and Influence

In March 2009, will.i.am heralded a significant comeback for the Black Eyed Peas. Their return was marked by the chart-topping single “Boom Boom Pow,” which clinched the number one spot on both the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100. This success paved the way for their album, The E.N.D., spurred the release of three more number-one singles. The momentum continued with their subsequent album, The Beginning, released in November 2010, producing three hit singles. After a bustling period of tours and music releases, the group decided to take another break.

During this busy time, will.i.am also engaged in various collaborations. In 2009, he worked on Flo Rida’s album R.O.O.T.S. and contributed to Cheryl’s debut solo album 3 Words. He also teamed up with Rihanna for a track on her album Rated R. In 2010, will.i.am produced the hit single “OMG” for Usher, featured on Usher’s album Raymond vs. Raymond. His interest in global music scenes was evident when he wanted to work with the Korean K-pop group 2NE1 to help them gain international fame.

I don’t want to hope anymore. I don’t think we should hope anymore. We hoped enough. Now we have to do. We all have to do now.

will.i.am

In October 2010, his collaboration with Nicki Minaj, “Check It Out,” peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart. This track was part of his fourth solo album, initially titled Black Einstein and later renamed #willpower. The album featured various other artists, including a significant collaboration with Britney Spears on “Scream & Shout,” which became a global hit, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping charts worldwide in January 2013.

will.i.am’s work extended beyond the music studio. He premiered the song “Reach for the Stars” from Mars, making history as the first song broadcast from another planet, in collaboration with NASA’s Curiosity rover. He was also involved in other projects, including Kesha’s album Warrior and Priyanka Chopra’s debut single “In My City.”

His political and social engagement was evident in his efforts to promote change through music. His album #willpower included tracks that reflected his views and hopes for the future, featuring artists like Jennifer Lopez and Mick Jagger and later additions such as Justin Bieber.

The re-release of #willpower in December 2013 introduced new tracks and collaborations, showing his ongoing commitment to innovation in music. He also played a significant role as an executive producer in Britney Spears’ album Britney Jean.

In addition to his musical endeavors, will.i.am ventured into technology, revealing plans for his own Smartwatch in 2014, which integrates phone capabilities and social media access, showcasing his forward-thinking approach to technology and music.

Through these years, will.i.am cemented his status as a global music icon and influencer at the intersection of music, technology, and social advocacy, continually pushing the boundaries of how music intersects with daily life and global issues.

2017–present: Music, Collaboration, and Performance

Since 2017, will.i.am has continued to engage in notable musical collaborations and performances that span genres and generations. In March 2020, amidst the global turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, will.i.am joined forces with Bono, Jennifer Hudson, and Yoshiki in releasing “Sing For Life.”⁶ This song emerged from a collective desire to lift spirits and inspire creativity during a period marked by social restrictions and widespread despair. The release was accompanied by a message on YouTube, highlighting the track’s intent to bring “joy” during such challenging “times like these.”

In 2023, will.i.am explored new musical territories with the release of “The Formula,” featuring Lil Wayne, and “Mind Your Business,” his fourth collaboration with Britney Spears. Despite the star-studded lineups, both singles were met with critical disapproval and did not significantly impact the domestic or international charts.

Continuing his trend of high-profile appearances, in February 2024, will.i.am performed at the Super Bowl halftime show as a special guest during Usher’s set, where they delivered a memorable rendition of “OMG.” This performance marked another significant moment in will.i.am’s career, showcasing his enduring presence and appeal in the music industry.

Other Ventures

Diverse Acting Roles

will.i.am first ventured into acting with a commercial series, “Instant Def,” to advertise Snickers chocolate bars. His voice acting roles have been notable, including portraying the hippopotamus character Moto Moto in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. Alongside this, he collaborated with Hans Zimmer on the film’s soundtrack. His major film debut came as John Wraith in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, a prequel to the X-Men film series. He guest-starred on the CBS drama Joan of Arcadia as God and lent his voice to the animated film Rio and its sequel Rio 2 as Pedro, a rapping red-crested cardinal. He also appeared in the film Date Night and the documentary about DJ Steve Aoki, titled I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead.

Television Appearances

will.i.am’s television career is highlighted by his role as a coach on The Voice UK since 2012, where he expressed pride in joining because of his creative successes in the UK. He distinguished The Voice from other talent shows by emphasizing its focus on genuine musical coaching rather than just judging. In preparation for his role, he sought advice from Cheryl Cole on maintaining authenticity and not overshadowing the contestants. His engagement extended to The Voice Australia, where he served as a coach in 2014 and won with his contestant Anja Nissen, though he did not return the following year.

Fashion Ventures

Before his music career took off, will.i.am studied at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. He launched his own clothing line, i.am, in 2005 and later partnered with Blue Holdings to create a premium denim line, i.am Antik. Despite facing a lawsuit over a failed project, he continued to innovate in the fashion industry, including launching a range of eyewear.

Technological Innovations

will.i.am has also made significant contributions to technology. He served as director of creative innovation at Intel, where he was involved in developing hardware like smartphones and laptops. He made history by premiering a song, “Reaching for the Stars,” from the surface of Mars in collaboration with NASA. His company i.am+ bought the machine-learning tech startup Sensiya and ventured into developing high-tech accessories for smartphones. 3D Systems appointed him as chief creative officer, and he has been instrumental in developing smartwatches with Deutsche Telekom.

Entrepreneurial Pursuits

On July 27, 2017, will.i.am acquired Wink, a prominent Internet of Things and Smart Home hub platform. The purchase from Flextronics was for a reported $38.7 million, accompanied by an additional $20 million commitment, which is believed to support the continued manufacturing of Wink’s products.

Personal Life

Health

will.i.am has been open about the personal health challenges he’s faced due to his music career. In December 2010, he spoke about suffering from tinnitus⁷, a condition often caused by exposure to loud sounds. In a further revelation in April 2013, he shared his diagnosis of ADHD, highlighting the complexities of managing such a condition while maintaining a high-profile career in the music industry. Embracing a healthier lifestyle, will.i.am chose to become a vegan in early 2017, aligning with his public advocacy for wellness and environmental issues.

Philanthropic Efforts

Beyond his music and business ventures, will.i.am has also focused on giving back to the community that raised him. His i.am Angel Foundation has made significant contributions, such as providing fast internet access to residents of the Estrada Courts housing projects in Boyle Heights, where he grew up. This initiative is part of a broader effort to bridge the digital divide and empower underprivileged communities through technology.

Legal Challenges

will.i.am’s career has not been without controversy. On June 22, 2009, after the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, gossip blogger Perez Hilton accused will.i.am and his entourage of assault. will.i.am responded to these allegations with a video on his blog, firmly denying the claims. No legal action ensued following the incident. More recently, in late 2019, his technology company, i.am+, faced significant financial scrutiny. The state of California and the federal government issued tax liens against the company, alleging over $500,000 and $1.78 million in delinquent taxes and interest, respectively. These legal issues highlight the challenges that can arise between celebrity and entrepreneurship.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Lost Change (2001)
• Must B 21 (2003)
• Songs About Girls (2007)
• #willpower (2013)
• TBA (2024)

Awards

• Daytime Emmy Awards
  • 2008: New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment for “Yes We Can”
• Grammy Awards
  • 2005: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Let’s Get It Started”
  • 2006: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Don’t Phunk with My Heart”
  • 2007: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “My Humps”
  • 2009: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Be OK”
  • 2010: Best Pop Vocal Album for The E.N.D.
  • 2010: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “I Gotta Feeling”
  • 2010: Best Short Form Music Video for “Boom Boom Pow”

Reference List for will.i.am’s Biography

1. McLean, Craig. “Force of Will.” The New Zealand Herald, 30 May 2009. Accessed 5 May 2024. ↩︎
2. Mackey, Ashley. “Will.i.am Helps Close the Digital Divide in His Boyle Heights Community.” ABC7 Los Angeles, 13 Jan. 2023. Accessed 5 May 2024. ↩︎
3. “Will.i.am on Rave Culture: ‘The Underground is Bigger Than the Surface. That’s What People Don’t Understand.'” Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2010. Accessed 5 May 2024. ↩︎
4. AllMusic. “Will.i.am Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More.” AllMusic. Accessed 5 May 2024. ↩︎
5. Reuters. “Will.i.am’s ‘Yes We Can’ Song Video Awarded Emmy(R) for New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment.” 16 Jun. 2008. Accessed 5 May 2024. ↩︎
6. “Bono, Will.I.Am, Jennifer Hudson & Yoshiki Collab on ‘Sing For Life.'” Billboard, 24 Mar. 2020. Accessed 5 May 2024. ↩︎
7. Kaufman, Gil. “Will.I.Am Reveals He Has Tinnitus, Ringing In The Ears.” MTV, 7 Dec. 2010. Accessed 5 May 2024. ↩︎

Final Reflections

The story of will.i.am’s life story is a compelling narrative of innovation and impact. As a musician, tech entrepreneur, and philanthropist, he continues to influence many areas of the entertainment and technology industries. His success story, documented in will.i.am’s biography, serves as a profound example of how passion paired with creativity can lead to substantial achievements and inspire change across the globe.

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