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William James Adams, Jr. (born March 15, 1975),'will.i.am' (2004-2008) BiggestStars.com. Accessed 2010-02-2. better known by his stage name will.i.am ( ), is an American rapper, songwriter, singer, actor, and producer. will.i.am rose to fame as a frontman and co-founder of the hit hip hop and pop group called the Black Eyed Peas, with rappers Apl.de.ap, Taboo, and later added member pop singer Fergie. As a producer, he has produced for some Reggaeton singers such as Daddy Yankee.

Early life

William James Adams, Jr., who never met his father,'will.i.am's Aha! Moment' (April 14, 2009) Oprah.com. Accessed 2010-02-2. William Adams, Sr., was raised by his mother, Debra,'will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas (May 1, 2009) ChickenBones: A Journal. Accessed 2010-02-2. in the projects of East Los Angeles, California.'Nightline Playlist: will.i.am' (February 2, 2008) ABCnews/Frontline. Accessed 2010-02-2. Adams' mother encouraged him to be unique and to avoid conforming to the tendencies of the other youth in his L.A. neighborhood. She also encouraged him to begin working on his musical career by sending him to school in Pacific Palisades.'will.i.am's Aha! Moment' (April 14, 2009) Oprah.com. Accessed 2010-02-2. While attending school in the Palisades, Adams became best friends with Allan Lindo (stage name apl.de.ap), also a future member of the Black Eyed Peas. While still in high school, the duo performed in East L.A. clubs and were soon joined by three other entertainers to form the socially conscious rap group, Atban Klann. Atban Klann caught the eye of Compton rapper Eazy-E and was signed to his label, Ruthless Records, in 1992.