This week’s influencer guest on WHAT’S TRENDING is seven-time Grammy award Winner Will.i.Am where he talks about the importance of science in America, and how he was inspired to start the “i.AM FIRST: Science is Rock & Roll” program. He also discussed his upcoming Back to School special about kids who competed at the 20th Annual F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition, an event which hopes to inspire young people to become science and technology leaders.
WHAT’S TRENDING is a 30-minute weekly live interactive show on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM PT/1:00 pm ET. Hosted by television and Web personality Shira Lazar, the weekly online show takes a close look at the online trends, stories and people who are driving the week’s most popular online conversations that are shifting our culture.
Will.i.Am explained that Kamen’s U.S. F.I.R.S.T (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), “Teaches kids from 8 to 19 about science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”
Using his own money, he bought air time from ABC to feature a live back-to-school special about the kids who competed at the 20th Annual F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition, an event which aims to inspire young people to become science and technology leaders. In addition to a live performance from the Black Eyed Peas, the show also includes appearances by Justin Bieber, Bono and Justin Timberlake.
The Black Eyed Peas founder said that making sure science is highlighted in eduction is his priority. In 2008, Will.i.am was instrumental in getting people out to vote through his viral videos. He said, “I’m only going to make a video when I’m inspired,” he explained. “The whole Crypts and Bloods, Republican Democrat hoopla. I’m not about that. I’m about true innovation, true inspiration and that inspiration is via technology and watching these kids do amazing things…You have to applaud these kids. You have acknowledged what they’re doing.”
As for how tech has influenced his music? He says digital lets him run his studio on his laptop and connects with fans directly, circumventing the label entirely.
