Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

One of the newest members of the Los Angeles’ music elite is a Filipino-American with the unusual name of Poet Name Life. Currently the official DJ for the Black Eyed Peas, he has two Grammy nominations proving his outstanding work as producer, songwriter and remixer. Poet also currently holds the #1 Dance album on iTunes, Total Club Hits 4.

A producer of the Listen Deep Music Group, he co-produced the Black Eyed Peas’ recent chart-topping hit Boom Boom Pow on their latest album, The E.N.D. Poet is also a co-writer for Rock That Body, another song on the same record.

What’s the story behind the unusual name?

Born Jaime Lim Munson in Echo Park, LA, California, he comes from a large Filipino family with ten brothers and sisters. "Ever since I was in elementary, I have been writing poems. So, some of my friends started calling me "Poet". Then, in high school, I painted a lot of murals, portraying life through art works which I titled "Life." As a result, some schoolmates called me "Life." So, I just combined the names friends called me- Poet Name Life," explained Munson, who is now simply known as "Poet."

Poet says that his writing genes come from his mom, Rebecca, ("She’s always writing poems too!"), while his musical talent he got from his dad who played the guitar well. He started playing the piano as a young child but grew to learn many other musical instruments. " Since I was a child, I’ve always wanted to entertain and write. I wanted to be at the front, in the art scene. I wrote and made speeches. I was playing in the orchestra, drama, workshops. I was always in the auditorium, if not part of the cast, then as a stage crew," recalls Poet.

He attended elementary school in Downey and then went on to John Marshall High School. "That’s where the core of Black Eyed Peas met and the group started," revealed Poet. Allan Pineda Lindo (apl.de.ap), William James Adams (will.i.am), and Poet were all schoolmates at John Marshall High School. "We grew up together since high school. Since we were all into music and dancing, we liked hanging out together. I wrote songs and we said we will start a group someday," said Poet. The three friends remained close, even as they graduated from John Marshall. Poet took up music courses at the Los Angeles City College, Pasadena City College and Santa Monica College.

In 1995, The Black Eyed Peas was formed in Los Angeles. Poet preferred to stay in the background as their songwriter, producer and DJ. Since their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group’s hip hop/dance-oriented style has sold an estimated 35 million albums worldwide and 41 million singles. They scored their first worldwide hit with Where Is the Love? in 2003, which topped over ten charts worldwide. Another single was the European hit Shut Up. Their next album Monkey Business was another worldwide hit, certified 3x Platinum in the US, spawning two hit singles My Humps and Don’t Phunk With My Heart. The group has won the Grammy six times and has been nominated more than a dozen times. In 2009, the group became one of only eleven artists to have ever held the number one and two spots on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time with their singles Boom Boom Pow and I Gotta Feeling, from the album The E.N.D., and the singles also topped the chart for an unprecedented 26 consecutive weeks combined in 2009.

Poet has been the official DJ of the Black Eyed Peas and has been going with the group in their tours. "Before, we even had a hard time filling out a small bar. Today, we fill out stadiums and arenas, as much as 20,000, around the world," said Poet.

Of the many countries they have toured, Poet has his favorites. "My favorite country in the world is Japan. It’s so cutting edge, so different, and the scenery is great. My other favorite country is of course the Philippines. The first time I was there was in 2005. We performed in CCP, which was filled to the rafters. I loved it! But, of course, there’s no place like home- which is LA. It’s the coolest. My family is here and I’m a family person. I like big families," admitted Poet. "My friends are here too, will.i.am and apl.de.ap live within 5 minutes from me in Los Feliz," he added.

Asked about the secrets of their abiding friendship, Poet answered, "We were all raised pretty good. Family always comes first. We’re always there for each other. Plus, we are all passionate about music and technology."

Poet revealed that the "in thing" now in the music industry is working as a DJ. "I’m a veteran in the DJ game. I know every DJ in the world. You know, some DJs now get paid more than artists. For example, I get paid $5,000 for 45 minutes of DJ work. There are some who get paid as much as $100,000. It’s now the in thing."