Look up asap or ASAP in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

ASAP (As Soon As Possible), as an acronym can also refer to:

Music and television[link]

• ASAP (band), a hard rock band fronted by Adrian Smith
• "ASAP" (Bardot song), a song by Australian girl group Bardot
• "ASAP" (T.I. song)
• "As Slow As Possible", a musical piece written by John Cage
• ASAP (variety show), a variety television show in the Philippines
• Get Back (ASAP), a song by Alexandra Stan

Technology and internet[link]

• AcceleratedSAP from SAP AG
• Ariane Structure for Auxiliary Payloads, a ring structure within the payload fairing of Ariane and future Soyuz (Fregat 4th stage) rockets from Kourou
• Asynchronous array of simple processors (AsAP processor architecture)
• Another Slight Atari Player, an open-source player of Atari SAP music files

Others[link]

• Aircraft Sales and Parts A Canadian aircraft manufacturer based in Vernon, British Columbia
• Aviation Safety Action Program Safety reporting program that is entered into voluntarily by airlines, unions, and the FAA to encourage voluntary reporting of potential FAA and SOP violations.
• American Society of Access Professionals, an American organization focusing on information access through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Privacy Act (PA), and laws and regulations
• Applied Security Analysis Program A graduate-level student investing program at the University of Wisconsin - Madison
• Atypical small acinar proliferation, a diagnosis on prostate biopsy that carries an increased risk of finding prostate cancer on re-biopsy.
• Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy A fraternal order founded in Albany, New York
• Archive of Spatial Aesthetics and Praxis (ASAP), founded by former Museum of Modern Art curator Tina di Carlo and led in partnership with curator Danielle Rago, ASAP aims to be the foremost collection of spatial practice today, collecting and exhibiting architecture as part of a broader social, political, and aesthetic discourse.

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

ASAP Rocky
Photo still of Rocky, 2011
Background information
Birth name	Rakim Mayers
Born	(1988-10-03) October 3, 1988 (age 23)
Origin	New York City, New York, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, music video director
Years active	2010–present
Labels	A$AP Worldwide, Polo Grounds, RCA, Sony
Associated acts	A$AP Mob, AraabMuzik, Danny Brown, Black Hippy, Drake , Clams Casino
Website	asapmob.com

Rakim Mayers (born October 3, 1988), better known by his stage name ASAP Rocky (stylized as A$AP Rocky), is an American rapper and music video director. Born and raised in the New York City neighborhood Harlem, he is a member of the hip hop collective A$AP Mob, from which he adopted his moniker.

Rocky released the mixtape LiveLoveA$AP in 2011 to critical acclaim. He plans to release his debut studio album, LongLiveA$AP, in July 2012.

Early life[link]

Born in 1988, Mayers was named after the hip hop star Rakim, one half of the Eric B. & Rakim duo.^[1][2] When he was 12 years old, his father went to jail in connection with selling drugs. A year later an older brother was killed near his apartment, which inspired him to take rapping seriously.^[3] Mayers had started rapping at age 8,^[4] grew up admiring Harlem-based rap group The Diplomats, and also lists among his influences Three 6 Mafia, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan, UGK, Run DMC and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.^[5][6] After living in a shelter with his mother, and elsewhere around Manhattan, Mayers moved to Elmwood Park, New Jersey.^[1]

Career[link]

2007–11: Beginnings and mixtape[link]

Rocky performing at Coachella, 2012

In 2007, Rocky assembled the hip hop crew A$AP Mob, a collective of rappers, producers, and music video directors.^[7] He adopted its A$AP moniker, which has multiple meanings, including "Always Strive and Prosper", "Assassinating Snitches and Police", and Rocky's favorite, "Acronym Symbolizing Any Purpose".^[7]

His first single "Peso" was leaked onto the internet in August 2011 and within weeks received airplay on the high-profile Hot 97 New York radio station. Music videos for "Peso" and "Purple Swag" generated further buzz and resulted in ASAP Rocky signing a reported two $3 million record deal with Sony, RCA Records and Polo Grounds Music. ASAP Rocky released the mixtape LiveLoveA$AP in October to critical acclaim.^{[8][9][10][11][12]} On December 5, he was nominated for BBC's Sound of 2012 poll.^[13]

2012–present: Debut album[link]

Beginning in February 2012, Rocky opened for rapper Drake on the latter's Club Paradise Tour.^[14] He plans to release his debut studio album, LongLiveA$AP, in July, along with an ASAP Mob mixtape.^[15] The album's lead single, "Goldie", was released on April 27.^[16]

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• LongLiveA$AP (2012)

Mixtapes[link]

• LiveLoveA$AP (2011)

Singles[link]

Promotional singles[link]

Guest appearances[link]

Music videos[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

See also[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Category:ASAP Rocky

• East Coast hip hop

References[link]

External links[link]

• ASAP Rocky on Twitter
• ASAP Rocky Website
• ASAP Rocky "Peso"

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Aston George Taylor, Jr.^[1] (born August 5, 1968)^[1] better known as Funkmaster Flex is an American hip hop DJ, rapper, musician and producer on New York City's Hot 97 radio station and host of the hit MTV show Funk Flex Full Throttle.

Music[link]

Funkmaster Flex (Aston George Taylor Jr.) was born in the Bronx borough of New York City with music flowing through his veins thanks to his father Aston George Taylor Sr., a sound system DJ for local clubs throughout the city.^[2] By 16, Flex began DJing at local nightclubs a perfecting his mixing and turntable talents.^[2] At 19, he got his first job as a record boy for fellow Bronx native, Chuck Chillout for WRKS 98.7 Kiss-FM in New York. One evening, Chillout was late for his show and Funkmaster Flex got his big break and was allowed to stand in, thus beginning his career in radio.^[3]

He later left KISS for a brief stay at 107.5 WBLS-FM, meanwhile Flex kept up his club appearances at many of Vito Bruno's operated nightclubs including The Tunnel, Home Bass and Mecca. Bruno helped convince Joel Salkowitz, a regional vice president of Hot 97, to begin airing live broadcasts from clubs where Flex was performing like The Tunnel. He called the hours of Saturday evening programming the "Saturday Night House Party". When they realized the resurgence of Hip Hop was coming fast from its fallout in the eighties they increase the hours and days of these style of shows.^[4]

Salkowitz went and saw Funkmaster Flex perform and work the crowd at the Home Bass. After that night, he was convinced that Flex was his man and in the spring of 1992, Funkmaster Flex began mixing and hosting his own show, a specialized rap show on Hot 97. The first pop station in New York to showcase rap. Flex has been with Hot 97 ever since and aired nationally through syndication throughout the weeknights and weekends.^[4]

Production[link]

By the mid 1990s, Flex was signed by a major record label, Loud Records, for a series of innovative 60 Minutes of Funk mixtapes. All four of them achieved gold status in the US.^[3] On The Tunnel with Def Jam in 1999, Flex managed to get some of the biggest names in hip hop to contribute, including Dr. Dre, Nas, Jay-Z, DMX, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, Method Man and 50 Cent to participate.^[3]

He currently continues to be a prolific producer with a solid list of albums and artist he has supported over the years including Yvette Michele, Pras, DJ Kool, Armand Van Helden and many others.^[5]

Television[link]

Flex first started appearing on television in the early nineties on Yo! MTV Raps hosted by Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Doctor Dré.^[6][7] Soon, MTV began to ask Flex to do various spots on up and coming Hip Hop artists and his true passion for cars and trickin' out their celebrity rides.

In 2003, Flex debuted his first television series, Ride with Funkmaster Flex on the Spike cable network.^[8] The show documented the explosive subculture of cars that are popular in the Hip Hop culture and with Hollywood celebrities. Noteworthy moments in series included a look into Diddy's private jet and a visit to Eminem's studio in the Motor City and look at his hot GMC Yukon.^[8][9]

Soon after Ride's success, Flex wanted to explore his passion for car racing and developed a unique way to get it done with a new one-off Spike TV show race event - The Funkmaster Flex Super Series Invitational.^[10] The race featured 60 hungry late model stock car drivers from across the country turning laps at The Waterford Speedbowl in Conn.^[10] Flex went behind the scene to see what it takes to become a winner in racing while bringing out celebrities like Orange County Choppers, LL Cool J and Lil' Kim to watch the event.^[10] Monica Taylor Enterprise - Rare Footage of Super Series

ESPN noticed Ride with Funkmaster Flex and decided they wanted a show to help them reach more automotive enthusiast who watched racing, NASCAR and sports. Flex came a calling with a show focusing on custom cars and interviewing leading sports celebrities from the NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball and the world of Hip Hop including Danica Patrick, Terrell Owens and Jason Giambi. The show was called All Muscle with Funkmaster Flex and began airing early 2007.^[11]

Later in 2007, Flex shifted his focus to influencing automotive design. Based on what he was witnessing at the competitions at his various Custom Car & Bike Show tour events, he decided he wanted to push the envelope with these amateur designers with a new show - Car Wars with Funkmaster Flex on ESPN.^[12] With initial sponsorship from Castrol and later Ford Motor Company, Car Wars asked different car customizers from across the country to modify existing vehicles for cash prizes. The show developed lots of noteworthy designed Ford Expeditions, Ford Fusions and other vehicles. If featured famed automotive designers like Patrick Schiavone, former Ford North American Truck & SUV Design Director now Vice President of Design at Whirlpool and Ford Explorer Exterior Design Manager, Melvin Betancourt and Louis D'erasmo of Valanca Auto Concepts.^[13]

For Fast Machines with Funkmaster Flex, Flex returned to Spike TV and his customization roots once again focusing on making some exciting muscle and modern car customization for celebrities like a 1955 Chevy Bel Air for Dale Earnhardt Jr., a 1966 Pontiac GTO for Pontiac Enthusiast Magazine, 1970 Chevy Chevelle for the U.S. Marines. It also featured a fantastic interview with Royal Purple race driver Kathryn Minter.^[14]

In 2010, Flex returned to his MTV roots with a new show - Funk Flex Full Throttle. Flex was back doing what he does best: interview the most buzzed-about hip-hop artists - with his signature raucous, familiar style - and complete car customizations that have made him a legend in the automotive world. Whether Flex was on location at Spring Break, the New York Auto Show or hanging in his tricked-out garage the show was exciting. Full Throttle also integrated reality elements as Flex directed his team of car customizers at various builds and allowed viewers inside the lifestyle of Hip Hop stars - be it clubbing with Diddy, or helping Swizz Beatz select a top-of-the-line dream ride.^[15]

Stay tuned for the second season of Full Throttle and a potential new Hip Hop lifestyle series from Flex in the future.

Funk Flex - On the Road[link]

Flex developed and promotes an annual eight-city Funkmaster Flex Custom Car & Bike Show Tour, bringing the most exclusive and expensive candy colored rides to fans in cities from Miami to Atlantic City.

The tour moves across the country and has featured artists such as Drake, Nicki Minaj and Fabolous. Each stop showcases the hottest customized rides in competition for cash prizes, model and recording talent search. In 2010, Flex added the Funkmaster Flex Lifestyle Expo. The Expo featured sneaker and DJ battles, video game competitions, skateboard demos along with discounted prices on the hottest shoes, fitted hats and underground gear.^[16]

The Tour also showcases the premiere show for sneaker enthusiasts and Street Wear Culture, "The International Sneaker Battle." The Battle brings together sneaker enthusiasts and everyone involved in the culture of Hip Hop, graffiti, DJing, sneakers, clothing, art, and overall fashion.

Flex also loves to show off his personal collection of muscle cars at each stop. He has amassed over 40 cars in his collections. Here are his favorites.^[17]

1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass - A car his father once owned and started his passion for American muscle cars.

1969 Dodge Charger R/T - The first muscle car he ever purchased, even though he admits he isn't really a Mopar fan.

1970 Chevy Chevelle SS 502 - Flex's favorite and the one car he will never part with.

1967 Ford Galaxie G-Machine - One Flex's favorite Ford products.

Controversy[link]

Things got ugly in 2002 after Flex was accused of attacking Power 105.1’s Steph Lova. According to reports, the attack stemmed from allegations made during a Nas interview with Steph Lova in which the rapper claimed Flex had been taking payola. In the end, Flex pleaded guilty to harassment, and was also ordered to stay away from the Power 105.1 DJ.

Auto design - Flex style[link]

In 2005, Ford Motor Company opened its Dearborn design studio doors to Funkmaster Flex to look at how to customize its product line-up and add exposure to the brand. To date, Flex has worked on a lot of innovative projects for Ford.^[18]

2006 Ford Fusion - Flex is named the first customizer to transform the Fusion for the street.^[18]

2008 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition - Flex follows his idol Carroll Shelby and is given the opportunity to have a limited edition Expedition with unique design cues with his name on it. The car is revealed for the first time at the New York Auto Show.^[19]

2009 Ford Flex - Flex reveals his version of the new crossover at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) along side Hip Hop artist Nelly.^[20]

2010 Ford Taurus SHO - Flex tricks out the iconic Taurus for 2009 SEMA show.^[21]

2010 Ford Explorer - Flex tricks out the all-new redesigned Explorer for the 2010 SEMA show.^[22]

2011 Ford Fiesta - A contest to win an all-new 2011 Ford Fiesta receives over a quarter of a million entries on FordUrban.com^[23]

Video games[link]

Flex is a featured DJ on The Beat 102.7 in the 2008 Grand Theft Auto IV - The Lost and the Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony.^[24]

He is a celebrity adversary and a unlockable free agent fullback in season mode of ESPN NFL 2K5. He also has an unlockable team, the Baurtwell Funkmasters.^[25]

Flex was an unlockable character in Def Jam: Vendetta. In that game, he was the in-game narrator of almost all fights. Except in After Hours matches, which don't have narrating.

Flex's music is featured in his own game - Funkmaster Flex's Digital Hitz Factory.^[26]

Discography[link]

• The Mix Tape, Vol. 1 (1995)
• The Mix Tape, Vol. II (1997)
• The Mix Tape, Vol. III (1998)
• The Tunnel (1999)
• The Mix Tape, Vol. IV (2000)
• Car Show Tour (2005)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Funkmaster Flex at the Internet Movie Database
• Funkmaster Flex at Discogs

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. It includes attribution to IMDb, which may not be a reliable source for biographical information. Please help by adding additional, reliable sources for verification. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2010)

Alex Gonzaga, (born Catherine Cruz Gonzaga January 16, 1988), and prior to her name change in 2008, also known as Cathy Gonzaga, is a Filipina actress. She played the role of Alex, in ABS-CBN's sitcom Let's Go and Go Kada Go and played Christine in My Girl.

Television[link]

Film[link]

External links[link]

• Cathy Gonzaga at the Internet Movie Database

References[link]

Levi Celerio (April 30, 1910 – April 2, 2001) was a Filipino composer and lyricist. Celerio was a prolific songwriter, with over 4,000 songs to his credit. He is perhaps best known for being a leaf-player, a feat for which he was put into the Guinness Book of World Records. In 1997, he was named National Artist of the Philippines for Music.

Early life and career[link]

Levi Celerio was born on April 30, 1910 in Tondo, Manila. He received a scholarship to the Academy of Music in Manila and became the youngest member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra. He wrote several number of songs for local movies, which earned for him the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Film Academy of the Philippines. Celerio has written lyrics for more than 4,000 Filipino folk, Christmas, and love songs, including many that became movie titles.

Known for being a good lyricist, his songs cherish life, convey nationalistic sentiments and utter grand philosophies. Celerio wrote more than 4,000 songs, among them are popular pieces, which many consider to be immortal. At one time or another, no Filipino could miss the tune or lyrics of Levi's Christmas songs: Pasko na Naman, Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon (Ang Pasko ay Sumapit), and Misa de Gallo.

His more popular love songs include: Saan Ka Man Naroroon?, Kahit Konting Pagtingin, Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, Kapag Puso'y Sinugatan, and Ikaw, O Maliwanag na Buwan, Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, Bagong Pagsilang, and Sapagkat Kami'y Tao Lamang, while his folk songs include Ang Pipit, Tinikling, Tunay na Tunay, Itik-Itik, Waray-Waray, Pitong Gatang, Ako ay May Singsing, Alibangbang, Alembong, Galawgaw, Caprichosa, Ang Tapis ni Inday, Dungawin Mo Hirang, Umaga na Neneng, Ikaw Kasi, and Basta't Mahal Kita. Celerio also wrote nationalistic songs such as Ang Bagong Lipunan, Lupang Pangarap, and Tinig ng Bayan.

Celerio, for a time, was also recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the only man who could play music with a leaf. Because of his talent, Celerio was invited to The Merv Griffin Show, where he played "All the Things You Are" with 39 musicians. Using his leaf, Levi wowed the crowd and got the attention of the Guinness Book of World Records. The Book later listed the entry: "The only leaf player in the world is in the Philippines". He would also later appear on That's Incredible!.^[1]

Levi Celerio is buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Personal Life[link]

Early Life

First Marriage

He was married to Leonila Jose - Celerio. They had two daughters namely Divinia and Nora.

Descendants

Divinia Celerio Inocencio, Levi's eldest daughter, painter.

Nora Celerio, Levi's second daughter.

Cesar Celerio Inocencio, Levi's eldest grandson, drummer, author, editor.

Daniel Celerio Inocencio, Levi's second grandson, martial arts expert, artist.

Amalia Ruth Inocencio Bagtas, Levi's eldest granddaughter, pianist, musical arranger, composer, teacher.

Paul Ezekial Inocencio, Levi's eldest great-grandson, violinist, artist.

John Arthur Inocencio, Levi's great-grandson, drummer, artist.

Bernadette Inocencio, Levi's great-granddaughter.

Jonathan Inocencio, Levi's great-grandson, artist.

Dave Inocencio, Levi's great-grandson.

Dianne Inocencio, Levi's great-granddaughter.

Vina Inocencio, Levi's great-granddaughter.

Darlyn Inocencio, Levi's great-granddaughter.

Romina Clare Inocencio Bagtas, Levi's eldest great-granddaughter, speech pathologist, musician, artist.

Juan Emile Inocencio Bagtas, Levi's great-grandson, musician.

Cedric Martin Inocencio, Levi's great-grandson.

Charlene Mae Inocencio, Levi's great-granddaughter.

Charles Matthew Inocencio, Levi's great-grandson.

Proclaimed as National Artists[link]

On October 9, 1997, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1114, President Fidel V. Ramos proclaimed him a National Artist for Music and Literature. His citation read that his music "was a perfect embodiment of the heartfelt sentiments and valued traditions of the Filipino."^[2]

Later years[link]

In his old age, Levi occasionally appeared in public, usually at a concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He was also playing at a Quezon City bar from time to time.^[3]

Death[link]

He died at the Delgado Clinic in Quezon City on April 2, 2002 at the age of 91, just two days after the death of a fellow National Artist, Lucio San Pedro (who wrote the music for Sa Ugoy ng Duyan). But his death was overshadowed by the death a few days earlier of the popular matinee idol Rico Yan, thus, his death was received with little public attention. He was buried with full military honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (National Heroes' Cemetery).^[3]

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• Levi Celerio at the Internet Movie Database
• Levi Celerio interview at Ryan Cayabyab's show on YouTube