Los Angeles, CA

March 15, 1975

The work of rapper and producer will.i.am helped make Black Eyed Peas one of the most intriguing acts in hip-hop, and later made them one of the most popular acts on the charts when the albums Elephunk (2003) and Monkey Business (2005) started ascending the charts. During 2005-2007, he also helmed tracks for Pussycat Dolls, John Legend, bandmate Fergie, the Game, Ciara, Nicole Scherzinger, and Macy Gray. His solo career consisted of a project for the British rap label BBE (Lost Change), several mix albums, and in 2007, his major-label nod, Songs About Girls. It wasn't until 2013's guest-heavy #willpower that the pop star would release a solo outing again, this time enlisting an all-star list of collaborators including everyone from Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus to Juicy J. ~ John Bush