Will.I.Am

When the Black Eyed Peas made the jump from the L.A.

conscious-rap underground to the top of the pops in the early 2000s, their crossover success opened the doors for group ringleader will.i.am to execute his own transformation from mere MC into omnipresent showbiz impresario.

Whether he’s dropping his own chart-busting solo hits, producing tracks for pop’s biggest names, appearing in Hollywood blockbusters, or coaching the next generation of stars on The Voice, will.i.am (born William James Adams Jr.