Anyone doubting whether Will.i.am. can top his last solo album may be able to rest easy soon. The Black Eyed Peas rapper/producer has gathered fellow rhymesayer Busta Rhymes and R&B songstress Alicia Keys for his upcoming release, #willpower. During an interview with the U.K. radio station Capital FM, Will.i.am.confirmed the involvement of Rhymes and Keys for the follow-up to 2007’s Songs About Girls, as well as Britney Spears, Shakira and former X Factor judge/Pussycat Doll member, Nicole Scherzinger.
“I have a song with Alicia Keys – me, Alicia and Swedish House Mafia,” Will.i.am said. “I have a song with The Beats, which is pretty grand. Me and Shakira have been trying to finish the stuff we started, and me and Britney is really crazy.”
“So we got a song with me, LMFAO and Eva Simons,” he continued. “A song with me and Busta Rhymes and Swizz Beatz. I got a whole other bunch of collaborations.”
Rhymes’ contribution to #willpower marks the second time the former Leader of the New School rapper has worked with Will.i.am. The two first collaborated on Rhymes’ hit single “I Love My Chick.” The tune, which also featured Kelis, is taken from the entertainer’s 2006 opus, The Big Bang. Spears, Rhymes and Keys represent a star-packed roster of artists working with Will.i.am on #willpower. According to the rapper/actor, the album will feature a collection of “uplifting songs” that would surprise fans.
“#willpower is just a reminder to myself of staying contestant with the dream – keeping the dream alive,” Will.i.am said. “It was all a dream when I was 15 years old – 20 years later I managed to take the dream from an idea to physicality. So #willpower is uplifting songs, encouragement for those that need it.”
The forthcoming album, which includes the single “T.H.E (The Hardest Ever),” featuring Mick Jagger and Jennifer Lopez, is slated for release later this year.