William James Adams Jr., known professionally as
will.i.am, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. He is the frontman of the musical group Black Eyed Peas, which he formed with fellow rappers apl.de.ap and Taboo in 1995. The group has released nine studio albums, and saw their further success with the pop rap albums
Elephunk (2003),
Monkey Business (2005),
The E.N.D. (2009), and
The Beginning (2010). He served as lead vocalist since its formation, although for the albums, he did so alongside singer-songwriter Fergie â who joined the group in 2002 and departed after the latter.