(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Will.i.am would have been a "notorious gang member" if he hadn't pursued a music career.

The star grew up in the projects in East Los Angeles, before going on to find fame as part of hip-hop group The Black Eyed Peas. His mother encouraged him to be an individual when he was growing up and made him believe he could make money as a music artist, something he's thankful for.

Will.i.am is adamant life would have been very different for him if his mom hadn't been so supportive.

"I would have been a notorious gang member," he said. "First I'd have to rebel against my mom and then rebel against the law. Rebelling against the law is much easier than rebelling against my mom!"

The 36-year-old is in the band with Fergie, apl.de.ap and Taboo. He's been friends with apl.de.ap since they were 14, with the pair bonding over their shared love of music.

The star still finds it strange when he thinks about how much their lives has changed, admitting it sometimes causes him to feel sentimental.

"[I'm emotional] for certain things. Family? Emotional. The past and knowing how far you've come? Emotional. I was at [US President Barack] Obama's inauguration but I wasn't emotional until I saw Apl sitting in the audience. Suddenly I was like, Oh, look at how far we've come!'" he told Look. (C) Cover Media