Foolishly-named Black Eyed Peas rapper/producer Will.I.Am has threatened to get all street on rivals who have mocked his pop success when he releases his next solo album.

"I'm a battle MC, don't forget it. Yeah, we on the radio, but I eat a lot of n***as up," Will, who will release his third solo effort this year, told MTV.

The peace loving musician added he was only referring to his lyrical talent, however. "I got signed by Eazy-E in 1991 just by freestyling, so it's gonna have a lot of that, but at the same time I love the art form of writing songs.

"A lot of MCs don't practice that art form of song writing structure, cadences, melody and whatnot, so I honour that art form and it's gonna be on my solo project as well."

As well as producing some of the most heavily played records of the past year and a half, Will is also working with artists ranging from Justin Timberlake to Macy Gray, and is aiding other Peas with their solo efforts.

"Black Eyed Peas is the franchise and at the same time we all launch off and do other things and always come back to the Black Eyed Peas."