Will.i.am launches awards to honour DJs

Washington (ANI): Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am is unveiling the Data Awards next year (10) to honour the art of DJ-ing. The 'I Gotta Feeling" hit-maker will turn the spotlight on club DJs in an effort to honour their work at the inaugural ceremony on 30 January (10). He announced the annual event at a press conference on Tuesday.

"There's a lot of things going on in music nowadays; record stores falling, the internet... One of the most important factors in this is that the DJs and artists are still very much active," Contactmusic quoted will.i.am as saying.

"During (Grammy) week we are celebrating and honouring the DJ by announcing the Data Awards and giving them the top awards. We're starting off small with four awards: Best DJ, Best DJ Solo/Group, Best Remix and Best Original Track. I'm really excited about that," he added.

The Data Awards will coincide with will.i.am's new art exhibition, entitled 'Who Killed The Music?". And the rapper is turning the whole week of events into one big fundraiser by donating money from the sale of the artworks to two good causes - the Grammy Foundation and the star's own i am scholarship fund for cash-strapped students.