He’s earned millions thanks to hits such as “Don’t Phunk With My Heart” and “Boom Boom Pow”, and now Black Eyes Peas’ frontman will.i.am wants to give back.
The 34-year-old MC/singer – whose full name is William Adams Jr – says real success is helping others less fortunate. Two years back the star set up the “will.i.am scholarship fund”, in order to help provide college education for underprivileged teenagers. The fund covers students’ rent, as well as food and academic book costs, the star coming up with the idea for his personal charity after earning a big pay check after an appearance at a private party.
“It’s one thing to make it – and you’ve got your own apartment, or house, or car – and you keep it for you. That’s not making it. Making it is spreading it,” will.i.am insists. It was the size of his DJ earnings that night which shocked him into doing something. “I did the math and I could send three kids to school,” he remembers.
Offering five new scholarships per year, the will.i.am fund is currently supporting four students – who will also receive a holiday once they graduate, hopefully an incentive to help them study. will.i.am told the students, “Let’s do a little contest where your grades are up and you come with us anywhere on the planet. You just pick a country and we go there. We’ll do it for four years.”