By Joseph Pimentel
DECEMBER 7, 2007
Asianjournal.com
Rockin’ the House
LOS ANGELES – Filipino American Disc “I’m not a selfish guy,” he added. “I know
Jockey (DJ) Rocky Aujero may not receive there’s a lot of kids out there that want to
the same recognition as Apl.de.ap or the do what I’m doing. I want to help them
other headlining acts he performs with on out. Reaching out to these kids inspires
stage but let it be known that he is just as me to go on with my career.”
important. Business ventures
Aujero better known as “DJ Rocky Rock” After his uncle’s sudden death from
in the music scene knows how to pump suicide in the Philippines, Aujero decided
up the crowd. His keen selection of music to do more.
and array of unique beats from juggling, “It made me realize that I needed to go
scratching two turntables at the same back home to the Philippines,” he said. “My
time — makes him one of the top DJ’s in uncle helped raise me along with my Mom
the US and in the Philippines. like a second Dad. I wanted to go back to
At 27, Aujero has already accomplished the Philippines and do something good.”
more than he expected. Besides being Apl. In 2004, Aujero played a vital part in
de.ap’s personal DJ, he has opened and bringing the Black Eyed Peas to Manila.
toured for rock bands such as Linkin Park, During that time, the greater Philippine
Korn and rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. few hundred dollars here and there. More population did not know the Black Eyed
Humble beginnings importantly, as he continued to compete, Peas and Filipino artist Allen Pineda Lindo
Aujero recently sat down with the Asian he began to earn the respect of his peers. despite their commercially successful
Journal to reflect on his success as a DJ His career began to flourish when he album Elephunk being released a year
and as an entrepreneur. He was born in won a seat representing San Francisco to before.
Makati, Philippines and raised by a single compete at the International Turntablist “Nobody there even knew that Apl.de.ap
mother in the San Jose Area. Federation Worldwide DJ Competition. was Filipino,” he said. “Along with their
“I worked hard to be where I am but this By 2002, Aujero continued to win more manager, we came up with a marketing
is truly a blessing,” said Aujero. local and national DJ competitions that plan to make Apl big in the Philippines.”
He started spinning records when he culminated when he placed first and won Aujero along with the Black Eyed Peas
was 12 years old. a 2002 Ford Focus at the first Guitar Center started Island Flava, an event production
“Whenever I went to parties, I was always USA DJ Championships. company.
the guy who went straight to the radio or “After that, my Mom was like ‘wow, you Apl.de.ap then asked Aujero to be part
box [DJ booth] playing one cassette after won a car,’” recalled Aujero. “That’s when of his music label, Jeepney Records.
the other,” he said. “But the moment I saw she knew that I took DJ’ing very seriously.” Most recently, Aujero’s other production
turntables, that was even fresher. I was Among his other awards were 2nd company Bluefizz hosted the official
like, ‘I want to try this out.’” place at the World Vestax Extravaganza Manny Pacquiao post fight party in Las
It began as a hobby and grew to be an DJ Battle, 5th place at the DMC World DJ Vegas, NV.
obsession. He worked as a DJ throughout Championships, and the WMC/DMC DJ Now, back in Los Angeles, Aujero
junior high school and high school. His Spin-off in Miami the past two years. He performs with Dirty Heads, a new band
mother, at first, was against his passion. also won $10,000 at a Los Angeles Cool who recently signed with Warner. He
“She would be saying, ‘DJ, DJ — do your Mix DJ competition. His work was also continues to DJ and makes music with
homework,’” he recalled with a smile. “She featured on the soundtrack of the NBA Apl.de.ap. He is also associated with a
wasn’t really into that. She wanted me to Ballers video game and most recently, in number of companies including Elite
be a nurse and follow my cousins in other the movie Surf’s Up. Media Marketing Co., and the Rocky Rock
healthcare professions.” DJ school project. Among his sponsors are K-Swiss,
Of course, he didn’t follow her mother’s Aujero said his biggest accomplishment Ecko, Mackie DJ equipment, and many
wishes and took DJ’ing more seriously. is the DJ school — Mind Music — he helped more.
“For a year, I didn’t go out,” he said. “I found in the Bay Area for underprivileged Despite his success, he continues to
really just trained myself on how to be a high school kids. strive as a DJ and as a Filipino.
DJ as if I was [Manny] Pacquiao preparing “During that time, I worked with a lot “I can’t take all this for granted,” he
for a fight.” of high school kids in the Bay Area,” he said. “This is something that’s going to
Winning battles said. “[The school] is about being positive, be passed on. I want to give back to the
He began to “battle” (common term getting kids off drugs, [and] reaching out Philippines and do what I can to help their
for DJ competitions) in local record store to the kids. I would pick these kids up and economy. I’m more focused right now.”
competitions. He placed in the top three take them to my studio or teach them at “My Mom, she’s a prayer warrior, she
in most amateur competitions and won a their home.” told me, ‘good things are coming.’”(AJ)
Page 2
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47