will.i.am is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer from Los Angeles, California, and is one of the founders of the rap-pop group, Black Eyed Peas. Aside from a thriving music career, he has also served as a judge in several editions of The Voice where he has been known to speak different languages but does the singer speak Spanish?
Aside from being fluent in English, will.i.am can speak conversational Spanish and Filipino. He learned how to speak Spanish during his youth, growing up in Estrada Courts where there was a large Mexican community.
Let’s learn how the Black Eyed Peas star’s life has been influenced by the Latin community.
Being ‘Blaxican’
In an interview with Telemundo Entretenimiento, the rapper revealed that he referred to himself as ‘Blaxican’ since they were the only black family in an all-Mexican neighborhood. He was also raised by Mexicans, telling ABC that he had a ‘thick’ Mexican accent growing up.
The Black Eyed Peas said their 2020 album Translation is dedicated to the Latin movement, featuring top artists like Shakira, Ozuna, French Montana, and Maluma.Although will.i.am can speak Spanish, he rarely speaks it and is not fluent. It can be assumed, however, that his bandmates Taboo (Jaime Luis Gomez), who is also Mexican, and apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda Lindo) from the Philippines, were there to help him understand the language better since many Filipino words also stem from Spanish.
About Translation
The songwriter shared with Billboard that he couldn’t believe that the world was still in the middle of a race issue and that their eighth studio album, Translation aimed to build bridges. Not just the album itself but to translate—you have to be patient, understanding, empathetic, and collaborative.
“I personally was inspired by this Latin movement,” said will.i.am, “It’s the most streamed genre on Spotify. And to that, it is the definition of international pop.”, shared by the singer on NBC.
The song “Girl Like Me” was recorded in 2008 by “The Hips Don’t Lie” singer and was shot in her native Colombia, while the scenes of the three-man band were done in California.
The band’s footage along with Shakira was combined with matching lighting to form one cohesive production.
Tracklisting
The record was released through will.i.am’s label, with “RITMO” as the album’s main single featuring Colombian Prince of Reggaeton, J Balvin. If you enjoy Latin-infused music, check out the tracklisting of Translation:
“Ritmo (Bad Boys For Life)” with J Balvin
“Feel the Beat” with Maluma
“Mamacita” with Ozuna & J Rey Soul
“Girl Like Me” with Shakira
“Vida Loca” with Nicky Jam & Tyga
“No Mañana” with El Alfa
“Tonta Love” with J Rey Soul
“Celebrate”
“Todo Bueno”
“Duro Hard” with Becky G
“Mabuti” with French Montana
“I Woke Up”
“Get Loose Now”
“Action”
“News Today”
Reception of Translation
The album sold 15,000 records, mostly measured from streaming revenue, and debuted at No. 52 on the Billboard 200. It also hit the No. 3 spot on the Top Latin Albums chart, which was the band’s first top-five.
Forbes wrote that the album was a welcome return as the group embraces its signature production style, and credited the band’s resilience through time and trends with true talent spanning over 20 years, staying true to their roots but with a refreshing take.
Variety thinks that there are not too many problems with the album and it is the best overall since their 2003 Elephunk record. Even if the album feels a bit forced and focus-group-y with catchy tunes, the band had found a new sense of adventure and contagion through the new wave of Latin music and were almost toward making it their own.
“Don’t You Worry”
In June 2022, the group collaborated again with Shakira for a new single along with DJ David Guetta in their intergalactic summer track—”Don’t You Worry.” The DJ has been working with the group for more than 10 years, and you may be familiar with their hit I Got a Feeling in 2009, so don’t be surprised if the two songs have the same vibe.
The music video was directed by Director X with shoots in Barcelona and Los Angeles. The Black Eyed Peas are expected to release their ninth album soon.