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.