William James Adams Jr., better known by his stage name will.i.am, is an American hip-hop musician, rapper, singer, songwriter, actor and producer of Jamaican descent. He is the founding member of the popular hip hop/pop group Black Eyed Peas, through which he gained prominence in the late 1990s. As a producer, he has produced with other legendary artists including Michael Jackson, U2, Usher, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Justin Timberlake, Cheryl Cole, Daddy Yankee, 2NE1 and Juanes. Till date, will.i.am has won 7 Grammy’s and several other prestigious awards.
Born and raised in the projects of East Los Angeles, will.i.am grew up with his mother, who encouraged him to begin working on his musical career by sending him to school in Pacific Palisades, and he soon began performing in East L.A. clubs with Allan Lindo, who he met in high school and was also a future member of The Black Eyed Peas.
At age 16, will.i.am started rapping under the name ‘Will-1X’ after being discovered by Compton rapper and former N.W.A. leader Eazy-E and signed a deal to his Ruthless Records. The first rap song of will.i.am was ‘Merry Muthafuckin’ Xmas’ from Eazy-E’s 1992 EP 5150: Home 4 tha Sick. Shortly after the death of Eazy-E in 1995, Will left Ruthless to start a group that would later be called The Black Eyed Peas.
Profile
Full Name: William James Adams Jr.
Nicknames: Mr. Voodoo Thursday, Zuper Blahq
D.O.B: March 15, 1975
Height: 5′ 9½”
No. of Studio Albums: 4
Awards: 10
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