apl.de.ap
Who was apl.de.ap?
Filipino rapper and record producer best known as a founding member of the Black Eyed Peas, one of the world's best-selling music groups. He has also pursued solo music projects and acting roles in Hollywood films.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on apl.de.ap (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Allan Pineda Lindo, better known as Apl.de.ap, was born on November 28, 1974, in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. He's a Filipino-American singer, rapper, and record producer who became globally famous as a founding member of the Black Eyed Peas, one of the top-selling music groups ever. Based in Los Angeles, California, Apl.de.ap helped shape the group's unique sound, merging hip hop, pop, and electronic music through many years of success.
Apl.de.ap came to the United States from the Philippines as a child through a sponsorship program, settling in the Los Angeles area and attending John Marshall High School. During his early years in Los Angeles' hip hop scene, he met will.i.am and Taboo, forming what would become the Black Eyed Peas. The group grew from an underground hip hop act in the early 1990s to a mainstream pop and dance music giant by the mid-2000s, largely due to vocalist Fergie's addition and a focus on radio-friendly hits.
With the Black Eyed Peas, Apl.de.ap has been nominated for 16 Grammy Awards, winning six, including Best Pop Vocal Album. The band's albums, like Elephunk (2003), Monkey Business (2005), and The E.N.D. (2009), produced some of the biggest hits of their time, such as 'Where Is the Love?', 'Let's Get It Started', and 'I Gotta Feeling'. Altogether, the Black Eyed Peas have sold over 35 million albums worldwide, making them one of the top-selling acts of the 2000s and 2010s.
Outside of his work with the Black Eyed Peas, Apl.de.ap has done solo music projects that emphasize his Filipino roots and the Kapampangan and Tagalog languages. He has been a strong advocate for Filipino culture and has used his platform to highlight issues affecting Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad. In 2021, he received the Asia's Most Influential Philippines award for his cultural contributions and global impact. He has also acted in Hollywood films, expanding his presence in the entertainment world.
Before Fame
Allan Pineda Lindo grew up poor in Angeles City, Pampanga, in the Philippines and was diagnosed with nystagmus, a visual impairment that would affect him for life. A humanitarian program allowed a family in the United States to sponsor him, which let him move and eventually settle in the Los Angeles area, changing his life's path.
After enrolling at John Marshall High School in Los Angeles, Apl.de.ap got deeply involved in the city's lively hip hop culture during the late 1980s and early 1990s, a time when West Coast rap was leading American music. His friendship with will.i.am during these years was crucial, leading to the formation of a group called Atban Klann, which later became the Black Eyed Peas. This early exposure to Los Angeles street culture and underground hip hop provided a foundation for Apl.de.ap's career.
Key Achievements
- Founding member of the Black Eyed Peas, one of the world's best-selling music acts with over 35 million albums sold worldwide
- Six Grammy Award wins as part of the Black Eyed Peas, from 16 total nominations
- Received the Asia's Most Influential Philippines award in 2021 for cultural impact
- Contributed to landmark albums including Elephunk, Monkey Business, and The E.N.D., which produced multiple global chart-topping singles
- Pursued solo projects and acting roles that elevated Filipino culture and language to international audiences
Did You Know?
- 01.Apl.de.ap was born with nystagmus, an eye condition that causes involuntary eye movement and has affected his vision throughout his life.
- 02.He grew up speaking Kapampangan, a regional Philippine language, and has incorporated both Kapampangan and Tagalog lyrics into his solo music.
- 03.His stage name Apl.de.ap is derived from his given name, Allan Pineda Lindo, with 'de ap' referencing his hometown in the Philippines.
- 04.He was brought to the United States from the Philippines as a young child through a sponsorship arrangement with an American family, a story he has spoken about publicly as formative to his identity.
- 05.Before the Black Eyed Peas achieved mainstream success, the group performed under the name Atban Klann and released underground material in the early 1990s on Ruthless Records.
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Asia's Most Influential Philippines | 2021 | — |