Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am and his will.i.am foundation are increasing their tsunami relief efforts by joining forces with Malaysia’s Force of Nature nonprofit.
Will.i.am’s first collaborative effort with Force of Nature, a Tsunami Aid concert March 18 in Malaysia, saw the reunion of ex-Fugee members
Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean.
A portion of the proceeds from the concert, which also featured the Black Eyed Peas and Boyz II Men, as well as future funds raised, will
benefit rebuilding efforts in South Asian communities devastated by tsunamis.
“I had the opportunity to come to Indonesia a week early for the Force of Nature concert, and seeing the disaster with my own eyes has been
life changing,” said will.i.am in a statement. “Seeing the children on the street and families displaced makes it clear that we need to
partner with groups like Force of Nature to help rebuild the homes lost.”
In addition to hosting a tsunami benefit last month in Los Angeles, the will.i.am music group partnered with RBK and Unicef on February 11
for a tsunami benefit jam session featuring the likes of Carlos Santana, James Brown, Pink, and Earth Wind & Fire among others. The event raised over $150,000 for Unicef to provide medicine, clothing, food, and other emergency supplies for tsunami relief.
The will.i.am foundation was founded this year with the goal of partnering with diverse organizations nationwide and internationally
to construct housing and schools in third world countries and to improve music programs in American inner cities.
Force of Nature is a non-profit group dedicated to raising funds and increasing global awareness for victims of natural disasters.
Additional information is available at www.forceofnature.org.
Will.i.am’s fourth album Monkey Business is scheduled for a spring 2005 release.
The budding thespian has also launched his own clothing line called i.am clothing.