When William was sixteen years old, he started rapping in late 1991 under the name "Will-1X" after being discovered by Compton rapper and former N.W.A. leader Eazy-E and signed a deal to Eazy's Ruthless Records. will.i.am's first rap song was "Merry Muthafuckin' Xmas" from Eazy-E's 1992 EP 5150: Home 4 tha Sick. Shortly after Eazy-E's death in 1995, Will left Ruthless to start a group that would later be called the Black Eyed Peas with fellow rappers Taboo and apl.de.ap.
After the addition of singer-songwriter Fergie, the group shot into mainstream pop consciousness with a set of hit singles in the mid-00s, popularity that continues to this day. The Black Eyed Peas' producer is Sergio Mendes, an internationally successful Brazilian musician and jazz aficionado. In September 2007, will.i.am took a major step into a solo career identity by joining with his record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), on a pilot scheme to reward certain file-sharing with cash incentives, including will.i.am tracks from his then upcoming release Songs About Girls.
In total, he has released four solo albums: Lost Change (2001), Must B 21 (2003), Songs About Girls (2007), and #willpower (2013). Although often facing mixed critical reviews, he's experienced significant commercial success, including a set of popular singles. His solo performances, featuring collaborations with a wide group of artists including Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Phife Dawg, Snoop Dogg, and Nicole Scherzinger, are perhaps best summed up in the international top 20 mega-hit "Scream & Shout".
Will.i.am was also recently cast as John Wraith in the film X-Men Origins: Wolverine, a prequel to the X-Men movie series. And if one enjoyed Madagascar 2's chunky hippo, Moto Moto, then one should know that the deep voice belonged will.i.am., who came in after he was ''pimped'' out to the directors by his friend and sometimes collaborator Justin Timberlake.
Before joining the Black Eyed Peas, Will.i.am attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. In 2001, he began designing his own signature clothing line, i.am, which made its official debut in 2005 at the Magic apparel trade show in Las Vegas. In 2007, Will.i.am teamed up with Blue Holdings to design a premium denim collection, i.am Antik, that had its debut on the Project Show in Las Vegas. He has also designed clothing for the Black Eyed Peas.
In January 2008, will.i.am helped write a song, "Yes We Can", in support of the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign of Barack Obama, which in turn became a music video directed by Jesse Dylan. The lyrics of the song are composed almost entirely of excerpts from Obama's speech on January 8, 2008, following the New Hampshire presidential primary election. The video features appearances from numerous celebrities like Scarlett Johansson, Tatyana Ali, John Legend, Herbie Hancock, Kate Walsh, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Adam Rodriguez, Kelly Hu, Hill Harper, Amber Valletta, Eric Balfour, Aisha Tyler, Nicole Scherzinger, Nick Cannon, Bryan Greenberg, Common and first appeared on the website for Dipdive, and within a week of its appearance racked up three million views, and over four million views on Youtube.
On February 29, 2008, a second video titled "We Are The Ones" was released on Dipdive and YouTube. It included cameo appearances from Jessica Alba, Ryan Phillippe, Kerry Washington, John Leguizamo, Regina King, Tyrese Gibson, Eric Mabius, Tichina Arnold, Adrienne Palicki, comedian George Lopez, and singers Macy Gray, Zoe Kravitz and Black Eyed Peas’ Taboo. The video features everyone chanting "O-BA-MA" as a portrayal as their hopes and wishes for Obama and his presidential campaign.
In 2013, will.i.am released his album "#thatpower".
We Got Chu
will.i.am Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something sorta special... powerful
[will.i.am]
We got chu (got chu), we got chu (let's get the)
We got chu (party), we got chu (started)
Let's do this, let's do this
Let's do this, get this started noooow
Let's do this, let's do this
Let's do this, get this started
[Planet Asia]
Emcees just get your bars up, believe I spit the deadliest poems
Steady in zoned, I cock back ready and stoned
Slap box rap, heavy and armed, relax ock
It's hardball on the blacktop, throwin them bows
So lo and behold, the honorable As' rap
Phenomenal competition, I flatten rappers out like ham bones
Ya crew cut characters contain something other than first of all
My hip-hop is straight from the gutter position we left
Instantly anticity shows
Officially spittin until I turn officially gold
And it's the hunger that I be gettin me over
Just when I expose the most outlandish to my folder
Book binder, somethin that I took some time on
To cultivate the masses with these gold chain sciences
[Flii]
It's Flii styles with the terrible parables
Pillage a whole village with pistol-grip paragraphs'll stare at you
Foolin with the vocal vigilante dog, please
My style's master, your style's asthma, breathe
Hardcore boy, I ain't givin up no dap
Head peasier than pubic naps wit stupid raps
Who could rap? Bring that ass here to me
Asia hangin them over the bridge like Nino from New Jack City
Who's that, kiddies? Nice and pretty witty, they can't get wit' 'ii
Titanium wrecking ball flows, slaughter my foes
Case closed, mouth closed, I don't wanna hear no babble
It sounds like a blisha-blasha-blah
See they listen to us cause you were never enough
And I'ma hit the people with the game on 'ii
If I don't represent the town, shame on me
[Chorus: will.i.am]
We got chu (got chu), we got chu (got chu)
We got chu (party), we got chu (started)
Let's do this (do it), let's do this (do it)
Let's do this, get this started now
Let's do it do it, let's do it do it
Do it do it, do it, and do it do it
Let's do this (do it), let's do this (do it)
Let's do this, get this started
Let's do it do it, let's do it do it
Do it do it, do it, and do it do it
[Asia]: Hey, yo Flii, you the illest
[Flii]: Man Asia, you the realest
[both]: Put us both together it's the ultimate
We came to give the party people what they 'posed to get
[Flii}: Live worldwide, why you makin local hits?
[Asia]
On the block I still post with kids
Have 'em on my street time
On some gold chains, poster biz
[Flii]
Wow, now that's real marketing
Spark the meeting with the label to stablely enable hits
[Asia]
Major events, daddy rich lay in the tent
Playin the hit, relayin this for ladies and gents
[Flii]
Relentless with this prolific, so we said what we meant
We live what we did, we leave, it's weird, do it again
[Asia] (Flii)
So next time come through with your mens (you and your kin)
Slick with the mic, could have you slide through in the Benz
[Flii]: Slick with the talk and how you scoopin her and her friend
[Asia]: Extermin these plans for currency insurance and gems
[Flii]: Knowledge Wisdom, they got it with them, recitin the hymns
[Asia]: Enlighten the men, mic fight writin with them
[Flii]
Tight with the pen, ballpoint the thoughts that we think
You gotta feel it, it's sorta like we live in the ink, we got chu~!
[Chorus]
{ti od ti od dna, ti od, ti od ti oD
ti od ti od dna, ti od, ti od ti oD}
"We Got Chu" by will.i.am is a powerful party anthem that showcases the rapping skills of Planet Asia and Flii. The lyrics are intense and full of killer bars that demonstrate their prowess as hip-hop artists. The song begins with the intro by Planet Asia, who sets the tone for the track. will.i.am delivers the catchy hook, "We got chu, party started, let's do this," which sets the stage for the verses.
The first verse by Planet Asia is packed with metaphors and similes that demonstrate his formidable skills as an emcee. He talks about his hunger, how he's constantly striving to improve and hone his craft, and the competition he faces. He compares his style to ham bones, and how he flattens rappers like pancakes. He confidently boasts about his exceptional abilities, and how he has left the gutter position. He ends the verse by talking about how he's cultivated the masses with his gold chain sciences.
Flii takes over in the next verse and brings his A-game to the table. He uses wordplay, alliteration, and witty double entendres that keep the listener engaged. He talks about his terrible parables that could pillage a village, his pistol-grip paragraphs, and how his style is asthma to theirs. He refers to other rappers as having stupid raps, and he won't give them any dap. He also mentions Nino from New Jack City and how Asia hangs them over the bridge. He ends the verse by representing his town and how he hits the people with the game.
Overall, "We Got Chu" is a hard-hitting, aggressive party anthem that showcases the lyrical prowess of Planet Asia and Flii. The track is perfect for clubs and parties and is a certified head-bopper.
Line by Line Meaning
Something sorta special... powerful
An introduction to the song, implying that it is something extraordinary and impactful.
We got chu (got chu), we got chu (let's get the)
We have you, we have what you need, let's get started.
We got chu (party), we got chu (started)
We have the party and we have started it, let's keep it going.
Let's do this, let's do this
Let's get this done, let's take action.
Let's do this, get this started noooow (A one, two)
Let's get this started right away, let's begin with energy and enthusiasm.
Emcees just get your bars up, believe I spit the deadliest poems
Rappers, improve your skills because I am a formidable opponent who delivers lethal lyrics.
Steady in zoned, I cock back ready and stoned
I am focused and prepared, ready to attack and deliver my verses smoothly.
Slap box rap, heavy and armed, relax ock
I have a strong, aggressive delivery, but I am also calm and smooth.
It's hardball on the blacktop, throwin them bows
This is a serious game, where we throw elbows and fight hard for respect.
So lo and behold, the honorable As' rap
Witness my honorable and excellent rapping skills.
Phenomenal competition, I flatten rappers out like ham bones
I am a formidable rival who defeats other rappers easily and swiftly.
Ya crew cut characters contain something other than first of all
Your group of rappers is lacking something important to succeed.
My hip-hop is straight from the gutter position we left
My style of hip-hop comes from the raw, authentic streets where we come from.
Instantly anticity shows
Anxiety and stress are evident from the beginning.
Officially spittin until I turn officially gold
I will keep working hard and rapping with excellence until I reach my ultimate goal of success.
And it's the hunger that I be gettin me over
It is my insatiable hunger and drive that allows me to overcome obstacles.
Just when I expose the most outlandish to my folder
At the same time I reveal the most unusual and remarkable parts of myself in my music.
Book binder, somethin that I took some time on
I invested time and effort into making my music and producing it properly.
To cultivate the masses with these gold chain sciences
I use my knowledge and expertise to create music that appeals to and influences the masses.
It's Flii styles with the terrible parables
I have a unique style and use powerful poetic imagery in my lyrics.
Pillage a whole village with pistol-grip paragraphs'll stare at you
I can dominate a large group of people with my writing and strongly command their attention.
Foolin with the vocal vigilante dog, please
I am a vigilant and protective artist who is not easily fooled by the industry.
My style's master, your style's asthma, breathe
My style is superior and powerful compared to other rappers who struggle to keep up with me.
Hardcore boy, I ain't givin up no dap
I am tough and confident and won't easily give in to others.
Head peasier than pubic naps wit stupid raps
Other rappers may have simpler and less meaningful lyrics.
Who could rap? Bring that ass here to me
I challenge any rapper to compete with me and see who is truly skilled.
Asia hangin them over the bridge like Nino from New Jack City
I am powerful and dominant like the character Nino who hung people over the bridge in the movie New Jack City.
Who's that, kiddies? Nice and pretty witty, they can't get wit' 'ii
Other rappers may have superficial skills and good looks, but they cannot compare to me.
Titanium wrecking ball flows, slaughter my foes
My powerful rhymes destroy my enemies and leave them defeated.
Case closed, mouth closed, I don't wanna hear no babble
I am done with talking or arguing and don't want to hear any more nonsense.
It sounds like a blisha-blasha-blah
The chatter or talk I hear sounds meaningless and annoying to me.
See they listen to us cause you were never enough
People pay attention to me because you are not as good or talented as I am.
And I'ma hit the people with the game on 'ii
I will deliver powerful messages and lyrics to my listeners.
If I don't represent the town, shame on me
I take pride in representing my hometown and don't want to disappoint them.
On the block I still post with kids
I still hang out with the younger generation and stay connected to the streets.
Have 'em on my street time
I have influence and respect in my community.
On some gold chains, poster biz
I am successful and stylish, setting trends and inspiring others to follow.
Wow, now that's real marketing
My success and popularity is due to my excellent marketing strategy.
Spark the meeting with the label to stablely enable hits
I have a solid plan and approach for creating successful music hits with my label.
Major events, daddy rich lay in the tent
I am successful and wealthy enough to attend and participate in important events.
Playin the hit, relayin this for ladies and gents
I am performing and sharing my music with an audience of men and women.
Relentless with this prolific, so we said what we meant
I am passionate and determined to create great music and will always speak my truth.
We live what we did, we leave, it's weird, do it again
Our experiences and actions are strange and unique, but we continue to create and live life fully.
So next time come through with your mens (you and your kin)
Next time, bring your friends or family to join us.
Slick with the mic, could have you slide through in the Benz
I am smooth and confident on the microphone, and can even make you want to drive a luxury car like a Benz.
Slick with the talk and how you scoopin her and her friend
I am skilled at flirting and wooing women and their friends.
Extermin these plans for currency insurance and gems
I will destroy any bad plans or intentions that have to do with money or valuable items.
Knowledge Wisdom, they got it with them, recitin the hymns
I have wisdom and knowledge that I share and express through my lyrics and music.
Enlighten the men, mic fight writin with them
I use my music to enlighten and empower people, and challenge other rappers to compete with me.
Tight with the pen, ballpoint the thoughts that we think
We are skilled writers who can express our thoughts and ideas with precision and power.
You gotta feel it, it's sorta like we live in the ink, we got chu~!
Our music is powerful and impactful, as if we live and exist within the words and ink of our writing. We have you and what you need.
Contributed by Lucas J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.