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will.i.am

will.i.am is best known to many as the front man and producer of the multi-platinum award-winning group The Black Eyed Peas. He is one of the top music producers in the industry, collaborating on tracks with U2, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Kelis, Nas, the Game, Sergio Mendes, Carlos Santana, the Pussycat Dolls, Busta Rhymes, and fellow Black Eyed Pea, Fergie. His songs, which have inspired millions, include the recent Yes We Can, which mobilized an entire generation to action during the 2008 presidential campaign.

Creating music since 1990, both on his own and with his rap partner apl.de.ap (and later with Taboo), Will.i.am has led The Black Eyed Peas for their decade together, starting with their first two albums (Behind the Front in 1998 and Bridging the Gap in 2000). The addition of Fergie in 2003 catapulted the group to international stardom with hits Where is the Love featuring Justin Timberlake, Shut Up, Hey Mama, and Let's Get it Started, which won the group its first of two Rap Grammy Awards.

The Black Eyed Peas received their second Rap Grammy for Don't Funk with my Heart, the lead single from their fourth studio album Monkey Business, released in 2005. The album included My Humps, which earned them their third Grammy - their first in the Pop genre. Will.i.am released his first solo song album, Songs About Girls, in September, 2007.

Last year, Will.i.am teamed with Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, on the soundtrack for Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa. He also lent his voice to the film's animated character Moto Moto.

In June 2008, Yes We Can was also honored with the first ever Emmy Award in the category of best new approaches in daytime entertainment. The video also earned Will.i.am an artist of the year designation at the 2008 Webby Awards, as well as NAACP Image Awards for best music video and best song.

Recently, Will.i.am was nominated for three Grammy Awards for song of the year (American Boy), best urban/alternative performance (Be OK by Chrisette Michele featuring Will.i.am), and producer of the year - non-classical.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2009.

will.i.am Facts

Birth Name William James Adams, Jr.
OccupationMusician, Actor
BirthdayMarch 15, 1975 (49)
SignPisces
BirthplaceLos Angeles, California, USA
Social Media iamwill

Selected Filmography

Not available.