Archive of music news
Black Eyed Peas leader launches label
The most obvious question to ask Black Eyed Peas leader will.i.am about starting his own label is, what took him so long?
Turn on the radio to virtually any pop station and you are likely to hear the sounds of will.i.am.
He produced and appears on Mary J. Blige's "About You" and co-wrote and produced the Pussycat Dolls' "Beep." He co-wrote John Legend's Grammy Award-nominated "Ordinary People" and remixed the Rolling Stones' "Rain Fall Down" and Bob Marley's "Africa Unite," among many others.
He also has tracks on the current Ricky Martin, Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire albums.
He and Justin Timberlake are collaborating on Timberlake's new solo album as a production team dubbed the Jawbreakers (they also plan to produce outside projects under that moniker). In addition, he is about to begin work on material earmarked for upcoming albums from Snoop Dogg, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Nas. He also plans to begin recording his first major-label solo album this summer, with an eye on a 2007 release.
And naturally, there is his work with his own band, A&M act the Black Eyed Peas.
And now comes will.i.am music group, a joint venture with A&M/Interscope. The label will officially launch with the February 14 release "Timeless," from Sergio Mendes. That album, which features many of Mendes' classic tunes revamped, is a collaboration between will.i.am music group, Concord and Starbucks Hear Music. Other acts coming out on will.i.am include Macy Gray and BEP singer Fergie.
|