Grammy-winning artist and tech entrepreneur Will.i.am has shared an intriguing detail about his life: he lives in a hotel and has never owned a house. Speaking to People magazine, the 49-year-old Black Eyed Peas member explained that his definition of success isn’t tied to conventional milestones.
“I don’t think I’ve made it,” he said. “Every milestone leads me to the next one. I’m making it. I’ve never bought a house because I haven’t found the one that makes me feel like I’ve arrived.” Instead of a permanent residence, Will.i.am owns a studio and an office, but his home is wherever he checks into next.
Raised in a housing project in South Los Angeles, Will.i.am’s early experiences shaped his ambition and drive. He recalled moments of hardship, including waiting in lines for food stamps and witnessing the loss of friends to violence. These challenges, he said, fueled his determination to dream beyond his circumstances.
“When you grow up in the projects, that’s your reality. But I wanted something different—that’s where my ambition comes from,” he said during a recent talk at the AfroTech conference in Houston.
Despite his unconventional living arrangement and tremendous success in both music and technology, Will.i.am regularly revisits his roots. “I go back to the projects every weekend when I’m home,” he shared. “I’ve been doing that ever since I lived there.”
In addition to his music career, Will.i.am has established himself as a forward-thinking tech investor. He’s been involved in projects like Fyi.AI, a messaging app designed to streamline multiple tools into a single platform. But his impact extends far beyond technology.
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In 2005, a trip overseas to assist with tsunami relief inspired him to take action closer to home. Comparing the devastation caused by natural disasters to the systemic neglect in underserved communities, he reflected, “There’s a tsunami in every hood, every day—not of water, but of no opportunity, bad zoning, and poor food options.”
Motivated by this realization and the documentary Waiting for Superman, Will.i.am launched programs to bring robotics lessons and college prep resources to struggling schools. Today, these initiatives are thriving in over 500 schools, with graduates from prestigious universities like Stanford, Brown, and Dartmouth.
“If we give kids the tools they need, they won’t just graduate college with debt; they’ll have jobs waiting for them,” he emphasized.
Despite his achievements, Will.i.am remains on a quest for the futuristic home he envisions—a symbol of his ultimate success. “When I get that house, then I’ve made it,” he concluded.
For now, the artist and entrepreneur is content with redefining success on his terms, balancing his creative pursuits, technological ventures, and a deep commitment to uplifting his community.
