Meet our speakers, who are active leaders in the T.I.M.E. (Technology, Information, Media, Entertainment) areas.
will.i.am
Producer/Lead Vocal, The Black Eyed Peas
As frontman, producer, and main creative force behind The Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am has helped catapult the multi-platinum group into one of the most popular musical acts on the planet. Not only have the Peas sold 18 million albums worldwide, but they have also won three Grammy awards, having been nominated for a running tally of ten and counting.
While the group may be a partnership of four individuals – a concept will.i.am embraces, having set his sights on being part of a crew as early as high school – will.i.am is also tremendously proficient as an independent artist, having released multiple solo albums; furthermore, he is continually manifesting and channeling his artistry and imagination across a plethora of creative platforms.
Having established himself as a musical virtuoso and one of the music industry’s premier producers, will.i.am has collaborated on tracks with Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Kelis, Nas, The Game, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Sergio Mendes, Carlos Santana, The Pussycat Dolls, Busta Rhymes, in addition to fellow Black Eyed Pea, Fergie. will.i.am is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after musicians, songwriters and producers on the scene; his talent is revered and admired by fans, peers, and legends alike.
Beyond music, will.i.am is committed to social activism and is an outspoken advocate of progressive political initiatives. During an era of resignation and apathy, will.i.am has tirelessly championed causes close to his heart; not only did he compose a song for Al Gore that was performed on “Live Earth,” but he is also a vocal supporter of 2008 U.S. presidential campaign of Barack Obama, penning a song entitled "Yes We Can,” whose lyrics are composed almost entirely of excerpts from one of Obama's speeches in early 2008. will.i.am assembled an incredible roster of talent to appear in the song’s music video which features appearances from numerous celebrities including Scarlett Johansson, Tatyana Ali, John Legend, Herbie Hancock, Kate Walsh, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Adam Rodríguez, Kelly Hu, Hill Harper, Amber Valletta, Eric Balfour, Aisha Tyler, Nicole Scherzinger, Nick Cannon, Bryan Greenberg, and Common. This same music video racked up three million views within the very first week of its appearance online and triumphed with more than twenty million views on Youtube. will.i.am is intent on rousing the rebels and propelling the nation – and the globe – into a more socially-conscious and politically-active state.
will.i.am’s creative spirit transcends music in various capacities across a wide range of outlets, though he has had a pronounced success within the realm of fashion. Before joining the Black Eyed Peas, he attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles; not only did he create his own signature clothing line, “i.am,” that debuted officially in 2005 that is sought after by select boutiques such as Traffic, but he also lends his styling eye that defines the Black Eyed Peas.
will.i.am actively harnesses his creative energies in various other directions, diversifying his repertoire and cultivating a veritable empire encompassing music distribution, film scoring, acting, internet applications, charitable initiatives, and entrepreneurial endeavors.
In addition to launching his own record label, will.i.am music group (which boasts Fergie, Macy Gray, and Sergio Mendes), will.i.am also founded Dipdive, a Lifestyle Engine that celebrates artistry, the absolute connectivity of emerging technology, and the intersection of brands and new media. After lending his voice to Disney’s animated “Madagascar” feature and scoring its music for Hans Zimmer, will.i.am delved deeper into the film industry, winning the role of John Wraith in a prequel to the X-Men film series entitled “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”
As passionate as he is about music, will.i.am is also consummately devoted to his philanthropic efforts; as a founding member of the Peapod Foundation, he is determined to utilize his status and resources as a celebrity and entertainer to benefit the less privileged through providing assistance and aid to children in need via the universal language of music. Bridging socio-economic and cultural barriers, the Peadpod Foundation has generated significant attention towards the cause, uniting local and global communities and providing a channel through which underprivileged children can access a variety of resources necessary in the implementation of their own artistic inspiration and creative visions. Since its inception, The Peapod Foundation has indefatigably fought to raise standards of living and welfare and to eliminate the plight and tribulations afflicting children worldwide. The equipment and curriculum of the Peapod Music and Arts Academy in Watts, Los Angeles has afforded foster children with inspiration, enablement and hope to express their creativity with tools used by professional artists.
Through his significant contributions to music, fashion, and film, in addition to his ongoing involvement in social and political activism and philanthropy, will.i.am is incontestably one of the great entertainers of our day, exercising his versatility and energies across a spectrum of contemporary spheres within the entertainment industry and beyond. will.i.am continues to evolve, amaze, and inspire with every new idea he conceives; the sky may not even be the limit for this modern-day Renaissance Man!
While the group may be a partnership of four individuals – a concept will.i.am embraces, having set his sights on being part of a crew as early as high school – will.i.am is also tremendously proficient as an independent artist, having released multiple solo albums; furthermore, he is continually manifesting and channeling his artistry and imagination across a plethora of creative platforms.
Having established himself as a musical virtuoso and one of the music industry’s premier producers, will.i.am has collaborated on tracks with Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Kelis, Nas, The Game, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Sergio Mendes, Carlos Santana, The Pussycat Dolls, Busta Rhymes, in addition to fellow Black Eyed Pea, Fergie. will.i.am is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after musicians, songwriters and producers on the scene; his talent is revered and admired by fans, peers, and legends alike.
Beyond music, will.i.am is committed to social activism and is an outspoken advocate of progressive political initiatives. During an era of resignation and apathy, will.i.am has tirelessly championed causes close to his heart; not only did he compose a song for Al Gore that was performed on “Live Earth,” but he is also a vocal supporter of 2008 U.S. presidential campaign of Barack Obama, penning a song entitled "Yes We Can,” whose lyrics are composed almost entirely of excerpts from one of Obama's speeches in early 2008. will.i.am assembled an incredible roster of talent to appear in the song’s music video which features appearances from numerous celebrities including Scarlett Johansson, Tatyana Ali, John Legend, Herbie Hancock, Kate Walsh, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Adam Rodríguez, Kelly Hu, Hill Harper, Amber Valletta, Eric Balfour, Aisha Tyler, Nicole Scherzinger, Nick Cannon, Bryan Greenberg, and Common. This same music video racked up three million views within the very first week of its appearance online and triumphed with more than twenty million views on Youtube. will.i.am is intent on rousing the rebels and propelling the nation – and the globe – into a more socially-conscious and politically-active state.
will.i.am’s creative spirit transcends music in various capacities across a wide range of outlets, though he has had a pronounced success within the realm of fashion. Before joining the Black Eyed Peas, he attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles; not only did he create his own signature clothing line, “i.am,” that debuted officially in 2005 that is sought after by select boutiques such as Traffic, but he also lends his styling eye that defines the Black Eyed Peas.
will.i.am actively harnesses his creative energies in various other directions, diversifying his repertoire and cultivating a veritable empire encompassing music distribution, film scoring, acting, internet applications, charitable initiatives, and entrepreneurial endeavors.
In addition to launching his own record label, will.i.am music group (which boasts Fergie, Macy Gray, and Sergio Mendes), will.i.am also founded Dipdive, a Lifestyle Engine that celebrates artistry, the absolute connectivity of emerging technology, and the intersection of brands and new media. After lending his voice to Disney’s animated “Madagascar” feature and scoring its music for Hans Zimmer, will.i.am delved deeper into the film industry, winning the role of John Wraith in a prequel to the X-Men film series entitled “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”
As passionate as he is about music, will.i.am is also consummately devoted to his philanthropic efforts; as a founding member of the Peapod Foundation, he is determined to utilize his status and resources as a celebrity and entertainer to benefit the less privileged through providing assistance and aid to children in need via the universal language of music. Bridging socio-economic and cultural barriers, the Peadpod Foundation has generated significant attention towards the cause, uniting local and global communities and providing a channel through which underprivileged children can access a variety of resources necessary in the implementation of their own artistic inspiration and creative visions. Since its inception, The Peapod Foundation has indefatigably fought to raise standards of living and welfare and to eliminate the plight and tribulations afflicting children worldwide. The equipment and curriculum of the Peapod Music and Arts Academy in Watts, Los Angeles has afforded foster children with inspiration, enablement and hope to express their creativity with tools used by professional artists.
Through his significant contributions to music, fashion, and film, in addition to his ongoing involvement in social and political activism and philanthropy, will.i.am is incontestably one of the great entertainers of our day, exercising his versatility and energies across a spectrum of contemporary spheres within the entertainment industry and beyond. will.i.am continues to evolve, amaze, and inspire with every new idea he conceives; the sky may not even be the limit for this modern-day Renaissance Man!
Related Videos
