It’s been over a decade since a certain Black Eyed Peas frontman sat down on a stoop with a bunch of colorful puppets, but honestly, we still haven’t moved on. If you’ve spent any time around toddlers—or if you were a sentient human with a television around 2010—you know the tune. It’s catchy. It’s simple. It’s arguably one of the most effective pieces of "self-esteem" media ever produced for children.
We’re talking about the Will.i.am Sesame Street collaboration, specifically the song "What I Am."
On the surface, it’s just another celebrity cameo on a show that has seen everyone from R2-D2 to Maya Angelou. But something about this specific segment stuck. It didn't just air and disappear into the archives of PBS; it became a viral juggernaut, a classroom staple, and a legitimate cultural touchpoint. Why? Because it hit that rare sweet spot where celebrity star power meets genuine, unironic educational value.
The Story Behind the Song
Sesame Street has always had a knack for picking the right person at the right time. In 2010, Will.i.am was everywhere. The Black Eyed Peas were dominating the charts with "I Gotta Feeling," and he was the face of a specific kind of optimistic, tech-forward pop music. Bringing him onto the show wasn't just about getting a famous face; it was about bringing that high-energy, "future-is-bright" persona to a generation of kids who really needed to hear they were special.
The song was part of the show’s 41st season. The theme for that year? Resilience.
Executive Producer Carol-Lynn Parente and her team wanted to tackle the concept of self-confidence. They didn't want a lecture. They wanted a mantra. "What I Am" was written by Sesame veterans (notably Bill Sherman, the show's music director who also worked on In the Heights), but Will.i.am brought a specific swagger to it. It wasn't "kiddie" music. It felt like a real track you’d hear on the radio, just with lyrics about being "thoughtful" and "brave" instead of hitting the club.
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Why the Lyrics Actually Matter
Let’s look at the actual words. Usually, kids' songs are repetitive to a fault. This one is repetitive for a reason.
"I’m a helper, a stepper, a ranger, a righter."
It’s a list of identities. It tells a child that they aren't just one thing. They are a collection of positive attributes. When Will.i.am sings, "If I take a stand, I can be who I am," he’s reinforcing a psychological concept called self-affirmation. Kids at that developmental stage are just beginning to form a "self-concept." They are looking for labels to describe who they are. Giving them labels like "brilliant," "capable," and "kind" is basically like giving them a psychological toolkit for the rest of their lives.
I’ve seen teachers use this in "Morning Meetings" for kindergartners. They play the video, and the kids stand up and point to themselves. It’s powerful stuff. It’s not just "Will.i.am on Sesame Street" being a fun guest; it’s a pedagogical tool disguised as a pop song.
The Muppets Who Made It Work
You can’t talk about this segment without talking about the puppeteers. The chemistry is weirdly perfect. You have Will.i.am in his signature vest and glasses, surrounded by Bert, Ernie, Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and Grover.
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There’s a specific moment in the video where Telly Monster looks genuinely inspired. That’s the magic of the Jim Henson legacy. The puppets don't treat the celebrity like a "guest star." They treat him like a neighbor. This groundedness makes the message feel less like a PR stunt and more like a sincere conversation between friends.
The diversity of the puppets in the shot matters, too. You have different colors, different heights, and different "personalities" (like the neurotic Telly or the upbeat Elmo) all unified under the same message. It says: no matter how weird or different you feel, this "What I Am" label applies to you.
The "Viral" Longevity of the Segment
Most Sesame Street songs have a shelf life. They air, they're cute, they go into a DVD collection. But the Will.i.am Sesame Street video has racked up tens of millions of views on YouTube over the years.
It keeps getting rediscovered. During the pandemic, when parents were homeschooling and looking for positive screen time, this song saw a massive resurgence. It’s one of the few pieces of content that parents don't mind hearing on a loop. That’s the "Will.i.am effect"—he knows how to craft a hook that doesn't grate on the adult ear.
Addressing the Critics: Is It Too Simple?
Some critics of modern educational media argue that "self-esteem" songs are too fluffy. They say we should focus on grit or hard skills. Honestly, I think that misses the point.
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You can’t have grit if you don't believe you’re a person capable of overcoming obstacles. This song provides the baseline. It’s the foundation. Does it solve the literacy gap? No. Does it teach long division? Obviously not. But it addresses the emotional "readiness" of a child. If a kid feels like a "righter" and a "stepper," they are much more likely to try again when they fail a math test.
It’s about the internal monologue. We all have one. If yours sounds like a catchy Will.i.am beat telling you that you’re "strong" and "brave," you’re probably going to have a better day than if it’s full of doubt.
How to Use "What I Am" Today
If you’re a parent, teacher, or just someone who likes good media, there are actual ways to use this song beyond just hitting play on YouTube.
- Mirror Work: Have kids look in a mirror and say one of the descriptors from the song. "I am a helper." It feels cheesy to adults, but for a four-year-old, it’s identity-building.
- Vocabulary Building: Words like "thoughtful," "capable," and "original" are big words for little kids. Use the song to explain what those mean in real-world contexts.
- Creative Writing: Ask a child to add their own verse. What else are they? Are they a builder? A runner? A dreamer?
The Legacy of a Stoop Session
Will.i.am has done a lot in his career. He’s won Grammys, he’s worked with NASA, he’s been a tech mogul. But for a huge portion of the population, his most important work might be those two minutes on a set in Queens, New York.
It reminds us that celebrity influence is at its best when it's used for something selfless. There was no product to sell here. There was no album tie-in that necessitated a puppet duet. It was just a guy and some Muppets trying to make kids feel a little bit more comfortable in their own skin.
In a world that’s constantly telling us we aren't enough—not rich enough, not thin enough, not smart enough—the Will.i.am Sesame Street message is a necessary rebellion. You are what you are. And what you are is pretty great.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of this iconic piece of media for your kids or students, try these specific actions:
- Watch with Intention: Don't just use it as background noise. Watch the "What I Am" video with your child and point out the different characters. Ask them which puppet they feel like today.
- Identify "Power Words": Pick one word from the song each week (e.g., "Capable") and highlight moments when your child displays that trait. "You tied your shoes yourself; that’s being capable!"
- Create an Affirmation Station: Place a small sign near a mirror with the core refrain: "I am a helper, a stepper, a ranger, a righter." Encourage its use during morning routines to build a habit of positive self-talk.
- Explore the Remixes: Look for the various live versions or the "Pop Up" versions of the song on the Sesame Street YouTube channel to keep the message fresh and engaging through different visual styles.