Will.i.am, 48, born William Adams, is an acclaimed singer-songwriter, rapper, and producer best known as the founder and lead of The Black Eyed Peas. Growing up in the housing projects in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, Will developed a deep sense of creativity and drive from an early age. Although his musical talent launched him into international stardom, his distinction in other fields, including technology, education, philanthropy, and activism, reflects a multifaceted, impact-driven entrepreneur.
As a creative force behind The Black Eyed Peas’ rise to fame, he played a crucial role in creating chart-topping hits and iconic songs that have sold millions of copies and earned seven Grammy Awards. The group’s groundbreaking sound, featuring hip-hop, pop, and electronic music elements, churned out anthems of their time like “Where Is the Love?” “Scream & Shout,” and “Let’s Get It Started.” He is still creating music as a solo artist and recently released two new singles, “MIND YOUR BUSINESS,” featuring Britney Spears, and “LET’S GO,” created in collaboration with F1.
But Will.i.am is doing more than creating iconic hits. Constantly seeking to innovate and adapt to the changing landscape of the music industry, his interest in technology has led him to explore new frontiers. And it does seem like he has his finger in every pie.
He has served on the World Economic Forum’s Fourth Industrial Revolution Advisory Committee and the Global Artificial Intelligence Action Alliance. Notably, he invested in the development of Beats headphones, which became an industry sensation before being bought by Apple for approximately $3 billion in 2014.
In addition to his Grammy wins, he has been recognized with an Emmy Award, a CLIO Award, the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award, and an honorary fellowship by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). He has been a judge and mentor on the popular singing talent show The Voice UK (2012-present), along with stints on The Voice Australia and Kids.
In 2009, Will formed the i.am Angel Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides educational opportunities to underprivileged youth, particularly in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM). The foundation has helped over 10,000 disadvantaged students from Southern California access in-class and after-school educational programs. Students participate in hands-on learning models for robotics, coding, app development, and geographic data mapping. In 2021, the i.am Angel Foundation teamed up with the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest state-run public school system in America, to offer robotics clubs as an official after-school activity. This program has the capacity to serve over 12,000 kids.
In addition to mainstay i.am Angel services, one of the primary branches of the foundation is the “i.am College Track.” This program has supported over 400 students from Roosevelt High School in Southern California, 96% of whom will be the first in their families to apply to college. And 94% come from low-income households living at or below the federal poverty line.
Will.i.am has used his platform to generate real change for real people. Not all artists seek to extend their influence beyond their industry, but Will’s desire to stay ahead of the curve, engage with his audiences, and be a generator of real change has helped to define his impactful career.
