William James Adams Jr. (born March 15, 1975), better known by his stage name will.i.am (pronounced "Will I Am"), is a American singer, songwriter, rapper, entrepreneur, actor, musician, record producer, and philanthropist. He is best known as a founding member of the hip hop and R&B band The Black Eyed Peas, with whom he has received seven Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, a Billboard Music Award, a Teen Choice Award, two MTV Video Music Awards and three World Music Awards.