will.i.am is using his music to shine a light on immigration struggles, calling out the ICE raids across California with his new track East L.A..
The Black Eyed Peas frontman teamed up with longtime groupmate Taboo to deliver a record that both celebrates Los Angeles culture and challenges the fear caused by recent crackdowns. On the song, will.i.am raps: “I love Mexicanas from the Border / Make her my wife so ICE won’t deport her.”
The video adds further context, with will.i.am speaking directly to viewers about the shared experiences between Black and Latino communities. “Black people, my ancestors, know exactly some version of what’s happening right now. We’ve been through what you guys are going through right now. And that’s why I stand in solidarity with Latinos.”
Alongside the release, he issued a statement reflecting on what the city represents to him and the reality of life under heightened immigration enforcement. “We are Los Angeles. We are Angelenos. We are Americans. Some of us born here, some of us migrated here. We are a great country and our borders should be protected. You would think that the idea of border control would make residents feel safe – but it’s pumped fear into our communities.”
will.i.am is not the only Hip Hop figure to address the situation. Ice Cube also recently voiced his concerns, criticizing the government’s approach during an appearance on 92.3’s The Cruz Show.
“It hurts because it’s all kind of different situations been going around, as far as immigration,” Cube explained. He added: “But to see people disrespected like that, and federal government just being too heavy-handed and disrespectful going to churches and weddings and grabbing people out those schools. It’s like come on man, y’all just overdoing it.”
Cube went further, pointing to the inconsistency and chaos that communities face. “And then the country flip flops. First it’s cool, then it’s not … It’s like, how could somebody even keep up with what’s going on? It’s sad. I can’t wait til this period is over. I don’t know how we going to get to the end but … It’s crazy to see people dragged out of their spots of refuge.”
With East L.A., will.i.am makes it clear that music can be both celebration and protest, amplifying voices often silenced in the midst of political battles.