A Love Letter to Boyle Heights and East L.A.
- royscafe66
- Jul 22
- 2 min read
By Carlos Garcia Aceves, LoCompany Studios
will.i.am & Taboo Drop “EAST LA” — A Love Letter to Boyle Heights and East L.A. Culture 🎙️
**Kandy & Chrome, July 2025** — Seven-time GRAMMY® winner will.i.am reconnects with his roots—this time as a solo artist alongside Black Eyed Peas bandmate **Taboo**—with their new single and video **“EAST LA”**, released July 18 via Epic Records ([Prelude Press][1]).
🎧 A Song Rooted in the Neighborhood
Growing up in Estrada Courts—a public housing project in Boyle Heights, East L.A.—will.i.am was one of the few Black families in a predominantly Mexican-American community ([Prelude Press][1]). His childhood experiences as part of that multicultural mosaic fueled the creation of “EAST LA,” turning Santana’s iconic “Maria Maria” into a fresh celebration of community with modern rap verses ([Prelude Press][1]).
### 🌆 Responding with Resilience
Prompted by recent political tensions and immigration raids targeting Boyle Heights, will.i.am felt an urgent need to uplift his hometown through music ([Prelude Press][1]). With Taboo—the group’s “warrior on stage”—adding his voice, the duo draws on their shared experiences in East L.A. to shine a light on unity, pride, and resilience ([New Music Releases : WavWax][2]).
### 🎥 The “EAST LA” Visuals
Directed by will.i.am and Sterling Hampton IV, the video for “EAST LA” highlights real neighborhood life—featuring everyday people, intimate family moments, and scenes from protests against ICE raids ([fullaccessdetroit.com][3]). In the closing segment, will.i.am delivers a heartfelt message:
> “We are Los Angeles… We are Americans. … \[ICE raids] pump fear into our communities… It breaks my heart… I wanted to change the vibe and celebrate the folks that make our cities great.” ([mxdwn Music][4])
### 🛤️ More Than Just a Song
“EAST LA” marks another chapter in will.i.am’s ongoing dedication to East L.A.—from founding the i.am/Angel Foundation to launching College Track and contributing to local events like the East L.A. Classic ([Boyle Heights Beat][5]). Meanwhile, Taboo, with his Mexican–Shoshone heritage, brings a spiritually empowered performance style that draws energy from his ancestral roots ([rapcentralstation.net][6]).
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### 🔎 Why It Matters for Kandy & Chrome Listeners
* **Cultural authenticity**: A powerful fusion of hip‑hop, Latin soul, and lived experience.
* **Political relevance**: A timely response to pressing immigration and community issues.
* **Homegrown pride**: A testament to East L.A.’s influence on international artists.
🎶 *“EAST LA” isn’t just a song—it’s a movement rooted in street spirit, cultural celebration, and collective uplift.*
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Here is a link to the music video, leave a comment and a like!!
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