The Black Eyed Peas frontman says he knew nothing about finances when he was younger and kept his pay cheques in his car because he liked to know how much was there, reported Contactmusic.
"I had USD 400,0000 in my glove compartment. You don't know anything about financial literacy when you come from the ghetto," he said.
Will.I.Am also told how his music kept him out of trouble and away from gangs, and says he owes his life to music for saving him.
"There were a lot of gangs about. A lot of my friends are dead, in prison or have sold drugs. You joined a gang or you did arts or sports," the 37-year-old added.
Will.I.Am recently said he is going back to the tough Boyle Heights neighbourhood in Los Angeles where he grew up, to launch is own car company and help generate jobs for local people.
