will.i.am splashed out £15,000 on MacBook computers for members of a youth music project in London.

The Black Eyed Peas star met with youngsters from the Prince's Trust project, Urban Development, and was so impressed with their original music which they performed for him that he bought them all the high tech computers so they can create apps in order to promote their compositions.

A source told The Sun newspaper: ''Will met around 10 kids from the Prince's Trust programme.

''They performed songs they had been working on and he gave them loads of advice. He really put in a lot of effort, comparing them to rappers like Nas and Busta Rhymes and suggesting business ideas and ways to promote their music.

''Will is really into technology so he was also telling them they should all create apps to go along with their music.

''As he was leaving he said he'd give them all a MacBook to help and asked the Prince's Trust organisers to sort it out and bill him for the Apple gear. It was a great gesture.''

will.i.am is enthusiastic about promoting new artists and is currently a coach on the UK version of 'The Voice'.