Will.i.am helps in the design a concept Mercedes-Benz. The extraordinary creation and collaboration aims to support his charity STEAM education.
American rapper Will.i.am has dabbled in the custom car world over the years, but recently the Black-Eyed Pea has teamed up with Mercedes-Benz to create a unique take on the high-performance AMG GT 4-Door Coupe – dubbed The Flip
With room for four passengers and excellent performance, the AMG GT is the great white shark of luxury performance sedans.
Last weekend in Miami, the car was revealed during the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Will.i.am, and West Coast Customs reworked the AMG GT’s body to convert it from four doors to two. Hinged at the rear, they open like a pair of welcoming arms.
The three-pointed Mercedes star in the grille has been replaced with the image of a bear, which symbolises the phrase Bear Witness. The name of the limited-edition apparel and accessories line Mercedes has available online and at its Mercedes-AMG Experience Center in Miami. A six-part documentary covering the build titled Drive will premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the i.am/Angel foundation. This charity “helps give children from disadvantaged communities access to education.”
According to Car and Driver, this is “the sixth project will. i.am has employed West Coast to build for him, and it’s far more restrained than most of the far-out rides he’s had West Coast put together for his personal use.”
As for why modify a Mercedes, Will.i.am explains:
“I grew up in a ghetto. I grew up with hip-hop. I watched legendary hip-hop artists rap about Mercedes, so it was always a dream to own a Mercedes. For many inner-city kids, owning a Mercedes symbolises progress and advancing out of struggle.”