Will.i.am Talks "Hip Hop Is Dead," Getting It From His Mama: Exclusive Audio

In the latest issue of Rolling Stone, Black Eyed Pea and producer extraordinaire Will.i.am talks about his new solo album Songs About Girls and his quest for "respect." We respect you, Will, and to prove it, we're providing a few audio excerpts from his interview with Brian Hiatt.

Will.i.am talks about taking music-theory classes at Santa Monica Community College.

Will explains his album's bouncy first single "I Got It From My Mama."

Want to know how the title track on Nas' Hip Hop Is Dead came to be? Will explains how a sample of hair clippers evolved into a polished song as he plays versions of the track.

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

More Song Stories entries »

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