Videos by According2HipHop
LOS ANGELES, CA – Black Eyed Peas co-founders will.i.am and Taboo have released their new single, “East LA,” a tribute to the Boyle Heights neighborhood of East Los Angeles, where both artists were raised. The song, which arrives amid heightened national conversations around immigration.
The track, which features a prominent sample of Santana’s iconic 1999 hit “Maria Maria”. In a statement, will.i.am explained his motivation: “I wanted to change the vibe and celebrate the folks that make our cities great.”
The music video, co-directed by will.i.am, features the artists in east Los Angeles locations, weaving in footage from a protest against immigration raids to underscore the song’s intended message.
In a direct-to-camera statement from will.i.am at the video’s conclusion. He states, “Our borders should be protected… but it’s pumped fear into our communities.” He then passionately honors the working people who are “disregarded, dehumanized, and demoralized,” drawing a parallel between the struggles of his ancestors and the challenges faced by today’s immigrant communities.
