Will.i.am's annual pre-GRAMMY charity concert featured performances from Chaka Khan, Busta Rhymes, Slick Rick, Sergio Mendes, and Doug E. Fresh.

The 'Trans4m' event on Thursday (January 23) at the Avalon in Los Angeles raised more than £1.45 million ($2.4 million) for the rapper-producer's i.am.angel Foundation, according to event organizers. The group provides educational support for students in the underprivileged section of East Los Angeles, where will.i.am grew up.

Compered by Will.i.am, the host said at the start of the evening:

"People are coming to the GRAMMYs just to celebrate, and when you put purpose in the room, people inherently, they want to do good. I think that's the reason why we've been able to keep this going."

(LHS photo: Will.i.am with actress, Rosie Perez)

Watch footage of the Transfm event below: