will.i.am facts for kids

will.i.am
will.i.am at the World Economic Forum in 2023
Born	William James Adams Jr. (1975-03-15) March 15, 1975 (age 50) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Will 1X illwilly Willonex Zuper Blahq
Alma mater	Harvard Business School
Occupation	Rapper singer songwriter record producer entrepreneur actor
Years active	1988–present
Organization	i.am+
Works	Discography filmography production
Relatives	Lynn Cain (maternal uncle)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Hip hop electronic pop R&B
Instruments	Vocals keyboards bass drums
Labels	Epic E1 Interscope Beat Generation will.i.am Barely Breaking Even Atlantic Ruthless

William James Adams Jr. (born March 15, 1975), known as will.i.am, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is also an entrepreneur and actor. He is best known as the leader of the music group Black Eyed Peas. He formed the group in 1995 with apl.de.ap and Taboo.

The Black Eyed Peas have released nine studio albums. They became very popular in the 2000s with their pop-rap style. Their hit albums include Elephunk (2003), Monkey Business (2005), The E.N.D. (2009), and The Beginning (2010). Will.i.am has been the lead singer since the group started. Singer-songwriter Fergie joined the group in 2002 and sang lead vocals with him for several albums.

As a solo artist, will.i.am released his first two albums, Lost Change (2001) and Must B 21 (2003). His song "Go!" from Must B 21 was used as theme music for the NBA Live 2005 and Madden NFL 2005 video games. His third album, Songs About Girls (2007), was his first to appear on the Billboard 200 chart. His fourth album, #willpower (2013), reached number nine on the chart. It featured the hit song "Scream & Shout" with Britney Spears. He also had hit songs as a guest artist, like "Fergalicious" with Fergie and "OMG" with Usher.

Will.i.am is also a successful record producer and songwriter. He has worked with many famous artists. These include Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, and Justin Timberlake. He has had 41 songs in the top 40 of the UK singles chart since 1998. He has sold over 9.4 million singles in the UK.

Outside of music, will.i.am started a technology company called i.am+ in 2013. He has also been a coach and mentor on TV shows like The Voice UK (since 2012), The Voice Australia (2014), and The Voice Kids (2017–2023). He has won seven Grammy Awards, a Latin Grammy Award, and a Daytime Emmy Award.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

William James Adams Jr. was born on March 15, 1975, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in the Estrada Courts housing projects in the Boyle Heights area. His family was one of the few African American families in a mostly Hispanic neighborhood. Will.i.am never met his father. His mother, Debra, raised him and encouraged him to be unique.

To help his music career, his mother sent him to public schools in wealthier areas of West Los Angeles. He rode a bus for an hour to attend Paul Revere Charter Middle School. Later, he went to Palisades Charter High School. During summer school at John Marshall High School, he became best friends with Allan Pineda. Allan would later join him in the Black Eyed Peas.

While still in high school, Will.i.am and Allan performed in clubs in East L.A. They soon formed a rap group called Atban Klann with three other performers. In 1992, the group signed with Ruthless Records, a label owned by rapper Eazy-E. Will.i.am later said that his experiences with rave culture influenced the electronic sound of Black Eyed Peas albums like The E.N.D. and The Beginning.

Music Career Highlights

Forming the Black Eyed Peas

Will.i.am started his music career in 1988. He met Allan Pineda (apl.de.ap) and Dante Santiago. They performed around Los Angeles and were discovered by Eazy-E. They signed with Ruthless Records in 1992. Will.i.am was known as "Will 1X" then. Their first song, "Merry Muthafuckin' Xmas", was on Eazy-E's album 5150: Home 4 tha Sick.

They started recording an album called "Grass Roots", but it was never released because Eazy-E passed away in 1995. The group then changed their name to Black Eyed Pods. Will.i.am replaced Dante with Jaime Gomez, also known as Taboo. In 1997, they changed their name again to the Black Eyed Peas. They recorded their first album, Behind the Front, with singer Kim Hill. They signed with Interscope Records and released their first single, "Joints & Jam", in 1998. Their second album, Bridging the Gap, came out in 2000.

Breakthrough Success

After Bridging the Gap, Will.i.am recorded his first solo album, Lost Change (2001). This album was the soundtrack for a film of the same name. It received good reviews.

In 2001, the Black Eyed Peas started working on their third album, Elephunk. At first, only will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo were going to be on it. While making the song "Shut Up", they realized they needed a female voice. Fergie joined the band and became a permanent member.

Elephunk was released in 2003 and became a huge success. It sold over 8.5 million copies worldwide. The singles "Where Is the Love?" and "Shut Up" reached number 1 in many countries. "Hey Mama" was used in ads for Apple and iTunes. The band also worked with EA games for The Urbz in 2004. They remixed songs and created new ones in Simlish for the game.

Will.i.am released his second solo album, Must B 21, in 2003. He also recorded "Secrets" for the Dexter's Laboratory: The Hip-Hop Experiment soundtrack. Before this, he composed the theme music for the cartoon series Samurai Jack.

Continued Group and Solo Work

In 2003, the Black Eyed Peas began working on their fourth album, Monkey Business, released in 2005. This album was also very successful, selling over 10 million copies worldwide. It earned the group four Grammy Award nominations in 2006. They won a Grammy for "Don't Phunk with My Heart".

After Monkey Business, the band took a break. Will.i.am produced Fergie's first solo album, The Dutchess (2006). He also started working with Michael Jackson on new music. Some remixes for Jackson's Thriller 25 anniversary album were released in 2008.

In 2007, will.i.am released his third solo album, Songs About Girls. He also worked on a political album, Change is Now: Renewing America's Promise, to support Barack Obama's presidential campaign. The first song, "Yes We Can", featured a music video with many celebrities. The video used parts of Obama's speeches. It became very popular online and won an award.

Black Eyed Peas Return and #willpower

In 2009, the Black Eyed Peas reunited. Their song "Boom Boom Pow" quickly reached number 1. They released their comeback album, The E.N.D., which was very successful. This led to another album, The Beginning, in 2010. After a world tour, the band announced another break.

During this time, will.i.am collaborated with many artists. He worked with Cheryl on her album 3 Words and with Rihanna on Rated R. He also wrote and produced "OMG" for Usher. He expressed a desire to work with the K-pop group 2NE1. He also collaborated with Britney Spears on "Big Fat Bass" for her album Femme Fatale.

Will.i.am also worked on his fourth solo album, originally called Black Einstein. Some songs were released under the name Zuper Blahq. In 2010, "I'm In the House" with Steve Aoki and "Check It Out" with Nicki Minaj were released. In 2011, he changed the album title to #willpower. The album's lead single, "T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)", featured Jennifer Lopez and Mick Jagger.

In 2012, will.i.am performed at the Diamond Jubilee Concert for the Queen of England. His song "Reach for the Stars" made history. It was the first song ever broadcast from the surface of Mars by the Curiosity rover. He also featured on "Hall of Fame" by the Script and "In My City" by Priyanka Chopra.

In November 2012, "Scream & Shout" with Britney Spears was released. It became a huge hit, reaching number one in many countries. His album #willpower was re-released in 2013 with new songs, including "Feelin' Myself" featuring Miley Cyrus.

In 2016, will.i.am released the single "Boys & Girls" with Pia Mia. He also confirmed that the Black Eyed Peas were getting back together.

Recent Music

In March 2020, will.i.am worked with Bono, Jennifer Hudson, and Yoshiki on the song "Sing For Life". They wanted to spread joy during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, he released "The Formula" with Lil Wayne and "Mind Your Business" with Britney Spears. In February 2024, he performed "OMG" with Usher at the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show.

Other Ventures

Acting Roles

Will.i.am and the Black Eyed Peas first acted in commercials for Snickers. He voiced Moto Moto the hippopotamus in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008). He also contributed songs to the film's soundtrack. His first major film role was as John Wraith in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009). He also appeared as God in an episode of the TV show Joan of Arcadia.

He voiced Pedro the red-crested cardinal in the animated films Rio (2011) and Rio 2 (2014). He also sang on their soundtracks. Will.i.am appeared as himself in the video game The Urbz: Sims in the City and the comedy film Date Night. He was also in the 2016 documentary I'll Sleep When I'm Dead about DJ Steve Aoki.

Helping Others (Philanthropy)

Will.i.am's i.am Angel Foundation helped provide fast internet access to the Estrada Courts housing project. This is the neighborhood where he grew up.

The Voice TV Shows

Will.i.am has been a coach on The Voice UK since 2012. He said he was proud to be on the show because the UK was where he first found success. He also coached on The Voice Australia in 2014 and won with his team member Anja Nissen. He was also a coach on The Voice Kids in the UK from 2017 to 2023.

Fashion and Technology

Before joining the Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am studied at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. In 2001, he started his own clothing line called i.am. He also launched his own line of glasses.

Will.i.am is a big supporter of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). This organization encourages young people in science and technology. He executive produced a TV special called "I.AM. FIRST: Science is Rock & Roll" about the FIRST World Championship. He continues to support FIRST and received the Make It Loud award in 2013 for raising awareness about the program.

In 2011, Intel named will.i.am their director of creative innovation. He helped develop smartphones, tablets, and laptops. In 2012, he appeared on the TV show Top Gear and said he was starting his own car company called IAMAUTO.

He also designed smartwatches for a German company called Deutsche Telekom. In 2016, he joined actress Gwyneth Paltrow and entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk on Apple TV's show Planet of the Apps. This show helped people launch new companies.

In 2017, his company i.am acquired Wink, a platform for smart home devices. Will.i.am is now focused on making artificial intelligence (AI) more inclusive. In June 2024, he gave a speech at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is the CEO of a company called Focus Your Ideas.

Personal Life

In 2010, will.i.am shared that he has tinnitus, which is a ringing in the ears. In 2013, he said he has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). He became a vegan in 2017. In 2023, he started a business program at Harvard Business School and graduated in 2024.

Discography

Studio albums

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

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2004	Garfield: The Movie	Himself	Cameo during Hey Mama dance
2008	Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa	Moto Moto	Voice; Also composer
2009	Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard	Snow	Voice
	X-Men Origins: Wolverine	John Wraith
2010	Date Night	Himself	Cameo
	Bouncing Cats
2011	Rio	Pedro	Voice
2014	Rio 2

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2001–2004, 2017	Samurai Jack	Theme song singer
2005	Joan of Arcadia	Three Card Monte Guy God	Episode: "Independence Day"
2007	Cane	Himself	Episode: "A New Legacy"
2012	The Cleveland Show	Bernard Bernard	13 episodes
	2012 Television Rack Awards	Host	First Time Hosting, 9th time performing
	American Idol	Himself	Top 12 guest mentor
	Top Gear		Celebrity guest
2012–present	The Voice UK		Coach or "judge" and mentor for artists, seasons 1 onwards
2014	The Voice Australia		Coach or "judge" and mentor for artists, season 3
2017	Planet of the Apps		Mentor
2017–2023	The Voice Kids UK		Coach or "judge" and mentor for artists, seasons 1 through 7
2019	The Rookie		Episode: "The Checklist"
	Songland		Episode: "will.i.am"
	The Voice		Mentor
2020	Anitta: Made in Honório		Episode 3: "Funk"
2021	Alter Ego		Judge: Musician, Producer and Tech Entrepreneur
	will.i.am: The Blackprint		Presenter of the Black History Month documentary for ITV
2023	Superstar: Aaliyah		ABC documentary
	That's My Jam	Himself/Guest	Along with Keke Palmer, Saweetie, Joel McHale

Video games

Year	Title	Voice role	Notes
2004	The Urbz: Sims in the City	Himself	Vocals
2009	X-Men Origins: Wolverine	John Wraith
2011	The Black Eyed Peas Experience	Himself

Tours

• The #Willpower Tour (2013–15)
• The Vans Warped Tour (2009)

Awards and Nominations

Daytime Emmy Awards

• 2008, New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment: "Yes We Can"

Grammy Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2004	Elephunk	Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical	Nominated
	"Where Is the Love?" (ft. Justin Timberlake)	Best Rap/Sung Collaboration	Nominated
		Record of the Year	Nominated
2005	"Let's Get It Started"		Nominated
		Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group	Won
		Best Rap Song	Nominated
	"Hey Mama"		Nominated
2006	"Don't Phunk with My Heart"		Nominated
		Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group	Won
	"Ordinary People"	Song of the Year	Nominated
		Best R&B Song	Nominated
	"Gone Going" (with Jack Johnson)	Best Pop Collaboration with Vocal	Nominated
	"Don't Lie"	Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal	Nominated
2007	"My Humps"		Won
	will.i.am	Producer of the Year, Non-Classical	Nominated
	"Mas Que Nada"	Best Best Urban/Alternative Performance	Nominated
	"That Heat"		Nominated
2009	"Be OK"		Won
	"American Boy"	Song of the Year	Nominated
	will.i.am	Producer of the Year, Non-Classical	Nominated
2010	The E.N.D.	Album of the Year	Nominated
		Best Pop Vocal Album	Won
	"I Gotta Feeling"	Record of the Year	Nominated
		Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals	Won
	"Boom Boom Pow"	Best Dance Recording	Nominated
		Best Short Form Music Video	Won

Latin Grammy Awards

• 2006, Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album: "Timeless", Sérgio Mendes (producer)

Television Rack Awards

• As of 2012, will.i.am. had won ten Television Rack Awards altogether (five with the Black Eyed Peas and five as a solo artist).

The National Television Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2018	The Voice UK	TV Judge	Nominated

Mirchi Music Awards

• 2012, Indie Pop Song of the Year – "In My City" (Nominated)

See also

In Spanish: Will.i.am para niños