Black Eyed Peas singer to be charged with assault 03/07/2006 00:00

3 July 2006

BERLIN - Assault charges are expected against William Adams, the lead singer of the US rap group Black Eyed Peas, it emerged Sunday, four days after he was involved in a brawl in the German capital Berlin.

Adams, 31, who uses the artist name Will.I.am, and a bodyguard were detained late Wednesday, but released after paying a bail bond.

The Black Eyed Peas, whose titles include "Don't Phunk With My Heart", had earlier given an evening concert outside the Reichstag, the German parliament building. Police say two persons were injured in the late-night fracas at a nightclub at pricey Potsdamer Platz.

A bouncer is also expected to face charges in connection with the clash which began when the rappers complained at being photographed.

Their bodyguard shone a torch in the photographers' eyes and the bouncer intervened. The bodyguard hit the bouncer on the head with a wine bottle and Adams weighed into the fray, witnesses said. The other person hurt was a woman, 30, who suffered cuts to her hand.

Police said Adams was suspected of assault, but some witness testimony had been contradictory.

The Black Eyed Peas, who have a big international teen following, were set to perform Sunday in Rome at the end of a European tour.

DPA

Subject: German news