A Deeply Personal Tribute: will.i.am and Taboo release ‘EAST LA’

Let’s celebrate the release of EAST LA, the new music video from will.i.am and Taboo. It’s an offering that is deeply personal and currently relevant to everyone. You can see the video below.

EAST LA – A Soulful Tribute to East Los Angeles

Directors: will.i.am & Sterling Hampton IV
Production: Clash of the Artistic Minds
Release Date: July 18, 2025

Back to the Barrio

EAST LA serves as a heartfelt homage to the Boyle Heights neighborhood that shaped both artists. Born and raised around Estrada Courts and Olympic Boulevard, will.i.am and Taboo channel their roots, standing shoulder to shoulder with their community in the face of mounting ICE raids.

Key points and visuals from the video include:

• A nostalgic yet urgent song and music video celebrating East L.A.’s culture and resilience
• Music leverages a “Maria Maria” sample— mariachi + cumbia blend.
• Visuals spotlight murals, neighborhoods, locals.
• Panels of strong statements countering ICE raids, honoring community.
• Artists weave personal biography with advocacy for immigrant workers.
• The iconic Estrada Courts murals—notably Frank Fierro’s “Orale Raza”—featured prominently
• Nostalgic nods to local staples like the Art Deco Sears building, Whittier Boulevard, and the freeway veins—5, 10, 60, 710
• Subtle yet powerful cameos of community members, LAFC jerseys, and everyday East LA establishments.
• The Track – Old Meets New

Drawing from Santana’s 1999 smash “Maria Maria,” the track fuses mariachi guitar with cumbia rhythms to produce a sound both nostalgic and fresh. This musical blend embodies the Latinx, immigrant, and indigenous cultures that define the heart of Los Angeles.

Messages of Resilience & Solidarity

This project isn’t just sonic—it’s political and deeply personal:

• will.i.am calls out the fear inflicted by immigration raids:

  “They’re going after people that make our city beautiful… It breaks my heart.”

• At the end of the video, he directly addresses viewers with a clear statement of support.

• Taboo, a proud pocho born of Mexican and Shoshone descent, echoes that solidarity saying, “I stand in solidarity and empathize with you.”

Reflections from the Artists

Both artists tap into early memories and cultural values:

• will.i.am recalls growing up in a village-like atmosphere—visiting Resurrection Church, picking up powdered milk, and leaning on neighbors in tight times.

• Regarding Boyle Heights’ influence, Taboo asserts:

  “There wouldn’t be Black Eyed Peas if it weren’t for Boyle Heights and Estrada Courts… Mi gente por vida.”

Community Impact & Outreach

The release aligns with local events supporting Boyle Heights’ backbone—Mother-run shops, church outreach, and youth-centered community action. will.i.am has doubled down on efforts with his i.am Angel Foundation, offering STEAM programs and Know-Your-Rights resources via his FYI tech platform.

Why EAST LA Matters

This isn’t just another music video—it’s a cultural statement. EAST LA reminds viewers that the soul of Los Angeles thrives in its diverse, immigrant-built communities. In times of uncertainty, bolstered voices like these remind us of unity, pride, and resilience.

Check out the video now –

How powerful was that?

will.i.am and Taboo craft an anthem that’s both rooted and forward-looking—melding a Santana tribute with modern beats and heartfelt visuals. EAST LA pulses with community love, cultural pride, and resistance. It’s an invitation to stand with Boyle Heights and East L.A., to recognize the humanity that anchors the city.

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