apl.de.ap is legally blind

Black Eyed Peas star apl.de.ap has revealed he is legally blind.

The Boom Boom Pow rapper, real name Allan Pineda Lindo, Jr., appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show with his bandmates on Wednesday (23Nov11) and confirmed reports suggesting his eyesight is really bad.

He said, "I was born with nystagmus... I want to encourage other kids with disabilities... You don't have to give up your dreams just because you got a disability."

The hip-hop star told the host he has to memorise dance moves for live shows and let the beat guide him onstage.

He said, "Since my eyes are bad I guess my sense of awareness got stronger... We got Apl sections, we got bright arrows."

And a member of the band's crew has to walk the rapper around the stage before each gig, so he can familiarise himself with the lay-out.