djpoet_492x32512x Grammy nominated super producer Poet Name Life of the Listen Deep Music Group is currently the official DJ for the Black Eyed Peas, in support of The E.N.D. World Tour. Poet also currently holds the #1 dance album on iTunes, Total Club Hits 4.  Poet is the co-producer for the Black Eyed Peas’ recent chart- topping hit “Boom Boom Pow” on their latest album, The E.N.D. Along with that co-producer credit, Poet is also a co-writer for “Rock that Body”, another song on the same record.  Currently, Poet can be found touring with the Black Eyed Peas. We caught up with Poet in Charlotte, NC; and can honestly say that he is one of the coolest, most down to earth people we’ve met.

CHARMED | You attended John Marshall High School in Los Angeles, with the other members of the Black Eyed Peas. How did you all come together on the music front?
DJ POET | Originally we all gravitated together because of dancing and art : ) Apl was the first person I met when I got dropped off to register in the 9th grade. It was funny because, right when I stepped out of the car there was a kid break dancing on the edge of the lawn. I went over [and introduced myself], from there, he introduced me to everyone else. We would always meet up at recess and lunch and have dance battles, then they turned into rap ciphers and the rest is history…

CHARMED | You call Will-i-am your “big brother and mentor”. What did Will-i-am do to earn this credit?
DJ POET | All the guys are my big brothers, but Wil is the one that taught me how to produce and make beats. He was the one that showed me what drum machines are and how to really listen to other songs and study them - like take them apart hip-hop style. As a big brother he’s always there for me to talk to about personal growing pains, and [Wil] has never changed still to this day.

CHARMED | What music/musician inspired you growing up? Did you always know that you wanted to be in the music business?
DJ POET | The music that inspired me growing up was actually rock-n-roll! All that 80’s glam stuff; like Motley Crew, Poison, etc. hahaha! Then from that got into punk and a band called the Beastie Boys, which then opened my mind to HIP HOP! Throughout high school, [I] got heavily into electronic music. I truly have to say that the two main musicians that inspired me was my father Jonathan who is an amazing guitarist and my grandmother Josephina who is an amazing pianist. [They] forced me to join the orchestra in the 6th grade and she was actually a major teacher at that school. I never really knew I wanted to be in the music business. Really, I was blessed to have been surrounded by [the arts] with the friends and crowds I hung out with…

CHARMED | Who taught you how to run the turntables?
DJ POET | Other than sneaking and trying to scratch on my dad’s turntable, lol… the first person to teach me to DJ was my cuz, Gene Las Marias and another major mentor Vynl Junkie John! I would DJ underground all through high school.

CHARMED | You’ve worked with a wide variety of artists including Travis Barker, Justin Timberlake, Joe Hann of Linkin Park, Daniel Bedingfield, and the late J. Dilla. What is something that you’ve learned while working with these artists that has made an impact in your career?
DJ POET | Lots of song structuring and listening! I truly have to say that all the names you mention here seriously taught me how to listen to your inner voice and organize it physically on a drum machine and computer, and especially how to write from the soul.

CHARMED | You have received several honors – what honor and/or work are you most proud?
DJ POET | My first Grammy nominations that happened this year!!! Ahh yeahh!

CHARMED | Who do you spend the most time with while on tour?
DJ POET | The guys; Apl, Tab, Wil, and Dj Ammo!

CHARMED | What will you do when the Black Eyed Peas’ world tour is over?
DJ POET | I’ll be DJ’n around the world and producing/writing more albums!

CHARMED | What do you like to do when you’re not working?
DJ POET | When I’m not working, “working” lol - I love just hanging out with my family and barbecuing/cooking, I love to cook food!

CHARMED | What’s on your radar? What’s next?
DJ POET | The next Peas’ album is on my radar, and next, I’m currently recording my electronic album - about to release my original songs!

CHARMED| You are dating Australian super model Lucy McIntosh.  How did you meet? What can you tell us about dating a super model?
DJ POET| We met on a beautiful Melbourne night; funny as life is, I was depressed and not feeling well at all, kind of at one of my lowest points in life to be real with you. I wasn’t even going to leave my room, but one of my good friends and tour brothers Dj Ammo and Apl were like, “we’re going out - get over it.” – lol…So we go to my friend’s club. It was funny because the club was closed, but they opened it up just for us – lol… So, while I was soaking in my sorrows - there she was… Turns out she was dragged there too by her roommate and she was under the weather as well. We were introduced by our friends; since that day I’ve communicated with her every day [even though I’m on a world tour]! It’s funny, as silly as it sounds, I always had [in] my mind what my dream girl would look like, from height to eye color, etc, and seriously is what I imagined : ) Dating her is the best, it’s not what people imagine like the stereo type of a model, drugs, doesn’t eat, smokes, psychotic, lol…She’s totally not that. She’s super smart, family grounded, doesn’t smoke or do drugs, and is so focused, sweet and beautiful on the inside, the love of my life : )

CHARMED| Tell us about your tattoos.
DJ POET| My tats were all gifts from amazing artists. There’s way too much to explain ‘cuz it’s super deep - hahaha!

CHARMED| You have great style. Who are some of your favorite designers?
DJ POET| Thank you!!! My favorite designers are the late Alexander McQueen (god bless him), Los Vega, D’Squared, Marc Jacobs, Marco-Marco, Rick Owens to name a solid few.

CHARMED| Since you know Will-i-am, Fergie, Apl.de.ap and Taboo so well – what can you tell us about each of them that we may not already know?
DJ POET| Tab is the best; family grounded, and is a solid husband and  father and yup - doesn’t do drugs or drink. [He’s got] super focus!  Wil is the funniest! On camera he’s all-serious, but¬, he has the biggest heart and is [as] super hype [as the] rest of the crew!  Apl is the rock star! No one can out-party Ap for shizzle!  Ferg is the super sweet, yet business savvy mama! [She is the] best example and representation for a strong and amazing woman. And yup - big sister!

CHARMED| What is your favorite/least favorite part of touring?
DJ POET|  [My]  favorite is being able to see the world and explore the different cities’ cultures, especially writing/recording in the different countries/cities. It’s so amazing (especially when my girlfriend is with me). [My] least favorite, I gotta say when I forget to grab my luggage on the tour bus and get stuck with the same clothes for like 2 days - hahaha! Also the hangovers…And I have to say it again because it’s true, being away from my lady : )

CHARMED| What are your favorite kinds of music to mix together (classical w/ hip hop, rap w/ rock, etc)?
DJ POET| I go through phases; right now I’m all about classic rock and electro!

CHARMED| You have been established as one of the newest members of Los Angeles’ music elite. What has been your biggest challenge thus far?
DJ POET| Thanks! Biggest challenge so far is falling in love on a worldwide tour with my girl Lucy who lives in Melbourne, Australia!!! But as far as music in a political sense, I guess being Asian and that I’m also an artist/lyricist and it’s still new to the American eyes - for an Asian MC to rock the mic with skills - hahaha!

CHARMED| Who do you spend the most time with while on tour?
DJ POET| The guys; Apl, Tab, Wil, and Dj Ammo!