Will.i.am
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- The correct title of this article is will.i.am. The initial letter is shown capitalized due to technical restrictions.
| will.i.am | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Birth name | William James Adams Jr. | |
| Also known as | will.i.am | |
| Born | March 15, 1975 (age 32) | |
| Genre(s) | Hip hop | |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, lyricist, producer | |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboards, bass, clavinet, drums | |
| Years active | 1989 to present | |
| Label(s) | will.i.am Music Group | |
| Associated acts |
The Black Eyed Peas, Fergie, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Macy Gray, Michael Jackson | |
| Website | http://www.blackeyedpeas.com/ | |
William James Adams Jr. (born March 15, 1975), better known as will.i.am, is an American hip-hop musician and founding member of The Black Eyed Peas. Adams is of Jamaican descent.
Contents |
Will.i.am was born in Los Angeles, California. He was originally signed to Eazy-E's Ruthless Records[1]. Both a lyricist and a producer, he produced the majority of The Black Eyed Peas' albums, as well as the main theme song for the American animated television show, Samurai Jack. Other solo projects include a song for Dexter's Laboratory called "Secret: Dexter's Lab"[citation needed] and an appearance as a tutorial and advisor in The Urbz.
In 2004, he produced the song "Go" for the video game NBA Live 2005. In 2005, will.i.am recorded the song "I Am Somebody" with guitarist Carlos Santana for his album All That I Am.
During 2006, he contributed to Sergio Mendes' Timeless, Busta Rhymes' The Big Bang, fellow member of The Black Eyed Peas Fergie's The Dutchess, The Pussycat Dolls' PCD, John Legend's Ordinary People, Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds, The Game's Doctor's Advocate, Ciara's Ciara: The Evolution, and Nas' Hip Hop Is Dead.
Will.i.am is currently working with Michael Jackson on the music legend's comeback album, plus projects with Amerie, Rihanna, Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger, Melody Thornton, Hilary Duff, Chilli, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and Macy Gray. He worked on "More and More", "Ring It", and "On the Move" for Nicole Scherzinger's first solo album Her Name Is Nicole.
Will.i.am cites the Red Hot Chili Peppers as an influence and he appeared on a documentary on Radio 1 about the history of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, explaining that he named the Black Eyed Peas in a similar fashion to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, i.e. after a food. He went to Palisades High School and graduated in 1993. He is the nephew of former Atlanta Falcons fullback Lynn Cain.
Will.i.am has paid a deposit on a Tesla Roadster from Tesla Motors. It is a battery electric sportscar with a 400 kilometre (250 mi) range. He will be among the first owners.[2]
- 2001: Lost Change
- 2003: Must B 21
- 2007: Keep the Beeper
- 1998: Behind the Front
- 2000: Bridging the Gap
- 2003: Elephunk
- 2005: Monkey Business
- 2007: From Roots to Fruits
- Common - "Dream"
- Fergie - "Get Your Hands Up" (with the Black Eyed Peas)
- Fergie - "Fergalicious"
- Fergie - "All That I Got (The Make Up Song)"
- Fergie - "Here I Come"
- Sergio Mendes - "That Heat" (featuring Erykah Badu)
- Sergio Mendes - "Let Me" (featuring Jill Scott)
- Sergio Mendes - "The Frog" (featuring Q-Tip)
- Sergio Mendes - "Loose Ends" (featuring Justin Timberlake & Pharoahe Monch)
- Sergio Mendes – "Surfboard"
- Sergio Mendes - "Yes Yes Ya'll" (featuring Black Thought, Chali 2na, & Debi Nova)
- will.i.am - "Don't Call Me Toby"
- will.i.am - "Tell of Tales (Tell Me You Need It Again)"
- will.i.am - "Secrets" (Dexter's Laboratory soundtrack)
- will.i.am - S"pending Money"
- will.i.am & Fergie – "True"
- Sly & the Family Stone - "Dance to the Music"
- Santana - "I Am Somebody"
- Shaggy - "Shut Up and Dance"
- Burning Star - "On My Own"
- Destiny's Child - "I Know"
- Earth, Wind & Fire - "Lovely People"
- Long Beach Dub Allstars - "Sunny Hours"
- Mary J. Blige - "About You"
- Mary J. Blige, Sting & will.i.am - "Whenever I Say Your Name "
- Pussycat Dolls – "Beep"
- Saian Supa Crew - "La Patte"
- Uncle Charlie Wilson, Justin Timberlake, & will.i.am - "Floatin'"
- Sting - "Stolen Car"
- Kelis - "Weekend"
- Kelis - "What's The Right There"
- Busta Rhymes - "I Love My B**ch (I Love My Chick)" (featuring Kelis)
- Justin Timberlake - "Damn Girl"
- Marcelo D2 - "CB Sangue Bom" (acoustic MTV)
- Ozomatli - "Vocal Artillery" (featuring Kanetic Source & Medusa)
- Rolling Stones – "Rains Fall Down" (remix)
- Bob Marley and Wailers - "Africa Unit"
- DMC featuring Sarah McLachlan - "Just Like Me"
- Too $hort - "Keep Bouncin" (featuring Snoop Dogg & Fergie)
- Ciara - "Do It"
- Ciara - "Get in , Fit In"
- The Game - "Compton"
- Cassidy - "You Know What It Is"
- LL Cool J - "Queens"
- Common - "I Have a Dream"
- Nas - "Hip Hop Is Dead"
- Hilary Duff - Happy" Dignity (album) (featuring DioGuardi)
will.i.am · apl.de.ap · Taboo · Fergie
Former members: Sierra Swan · Dante Santiago · Kim Hill
Albums: Behind the Front · Bridging the Gap · Elephunk · Monkey Business · Renegotiations: The Remixes · From Roots to Fruits
Singles: "Fallin' Up" · "Joints & Jam" · "Karma" · "What It Is" · "¿Que Dices?" · "Head Bobs" · "BEP Empire" · "Weekends" · "Get Original" · "Request + Line" · "Where Is the Love?" · "Shut Up" · "Hey Mama" · "Let's Get It Started" · "The Apl Song" · "Don't Phunk with My Heart" · "Don't Lie" · "My Humps" · "Pump It" · "Gone Going" · "Like That" · "Mas Que Nada" · "Bebot"
Albums: The Dutchess (2006)
Singles: "London Bridge" · "Fergalicious" · "Glamorous" · "Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal)"
Related articles: Wild Orchid · The Black Eyed Peas