Jason Tom Bio: An Idea Worth Spreading Like PB & J

Welcome to the official website of Jason Tom, a Hawaiian-born beatboxer, musician, and educator who has been making waves in the music industry for over three decades. Growing up in Honolulu, Jason was surrounded by the sounds of the island and the beat of the ocean, which would later become the foundation of his unique sound.

Jason began beatboxing in 1987, recording in 1989, and performing in 2004, and has since had an illustrious career. He has graced stages such as the International Human Beatbox Convention and American Beatbox Championship, and has been named Hawaii's King of Beatbox. His achievements have also earned him a feature in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library and Harvard University's Hip-Hop Archives.

However, for Jason, it's not just about the accolades. His passion and creativity drive him every day, and he loves sharing his art with others. Through his Human Beatbox Academy, he empowers the next generation of beatboxers. Jason's inspiration comes from legendary artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Michael Jackson, Rahzel, and Michael Winslow. He approaches beatboxing as a way to create a sonic landscape that transports listeners to another world.

When he's not making music, Jason can be found geeking out over Detroit Lions football (he was named the "Most Optimistic Detroit Lions Fan" by the Roar Motor City Sports Talk Show) or indulging in his favorite Hawaiian dishes (poke bowls for life!). He has also collaborated with renowned artists such as Tom Thum, Jake Shimabukuro, and Makana, and was featured in the documentary film "American Beatboxer."

Stay connected with Jason Tom:

• Website: jasontom.com
• Facebook: @mrjasontom
• Instagram: @mrjasontom
• Threads: @mrjasontom
• X: @mrjasontom
• YouTube: @JasonTom

Join the beatboxing adventure and follow Jason Tom on social media for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more!

  • Born November 21, 1982 in Honolulu
  • Moved to San Francisco, 1983
  • Moved back to Honolulu, 1985
  • Island Paradise Preschool, 1986 to 1987
  • Attended Kauluwela Elementary Tiger Cubs, Kindergarten, 1987 to 1988
  • Began beatboxing, August 1987
  • Attended Liholiho Elementary Warriors, 1st grade, 1988 to 1989
  • Began recording beatboxing, music cassette, 1989
  • Kauluwela Elementary Tiger Cubs, 1st to 5th grade, 1989 to 1994
  • Kawananakoa Middle School Alii Warriors, 6th to 8th grade, 1994 to 1997 
  • McKinley High School Tigers, 9th to 12th grade, 1997 to 2001
  • Began performing live beatboxing, August 2004
  • KCC Talent Show Contestant: Fall 2004
  • KCC Talent Show Contestant: Spring 2005
  • KCC Talent Show Contestant: Fall 2005
  • Named “Hawaii Beatbox King,” 2005
  • KCC Talent Show Finalist: Spring 2006
  • Recorded & uploaded first YouTube video: “Beatbox Lobby,” 2006
  • Performed in “Journey to the West” Beijing Opera multi-show live production, 2006
  • KCC Talent Show Finalist: Fall 2006
  • KCC Talent Show Finalist: Spring 2007
  • KCC Talent Show Finalist: Fall 2007
  • Beatboxer in Hip-Hopalypse multi-show live production, 2007
  • Word of Life Emerge Talent Grand Finalist: 2008 & 2009
  • Opened for America’s Best Dance Crew: Quest Crew
  • Hawaii’s Got Talent Grand Finalist, 2009
  • Opened for America’s Best Dance Crew: the Jabbawockeez
  • Metromix Cover Story, 2009
  • Named “Hawaii’s 1st Beatbox Star,” 2009
  • Performed at Mighty4 Hawaii, 2009
  • Wrote, composed & performed Human Beatbox music on Na Hoku Hanohano Award (Hawaii Grammy Award) nominated Best Hip-Hop/RnB album
  • Opened for Michael Winslow: 2009 (Honolulu)
  • TEDx Talks Conference Presenter: “Play” & “Successful People Fail More,” 2009
  • Best of Honolulu Weekly: Best Local Musician Deserving of a Wider Audience, 2010
  • Beatboxer in Diverse Art Showcase at Ala Moana Centerstage, 2010
  • Performed at Mighty4 Honolulu, 2010
  • Performed at the 6th Boxcon: International Human Beatbox Convention, 2010
  • Performed at the inaugural American Beatbox Championship, 2010
  • Judged & sponsored multiple Online International Beatbox Battles, 2010s
  • Beatboxer in Puja: Love Letters multi-show production, 2010
  • ReThink Conference Speaker Series Presenter, 2010
  • Performed at Apex, 2010
  • Performed at 17th Hawaii Children & Youth Day PG-13 Zone, 2010
  • Beatboxer in Femme Capulet multi-show production, 2011
  • Beatboxer in Puja: Fantastic Journey multi-show production, 2011
  • Performed at Apex, 2011
  • Performed at #WaterWrites, 2011
  • Opened for Blue Scholars
  • Performed for Estria Graffiti Battle Honolulu Finals, 2011
  • Performed for Estria Graffiti Battle Oakland Finals, 2011
  • Performed at Fringe Oahu, 2011
  • Road to Southby: Battle of the Bands, 2011
  • TEDx Talks Conference Presenter: “Vocal Groove,” 2011
  • TEDx Conference Presenter Award: Jason Tom, 2011
  • Hawaii Scene Choice Award “Best Performer,” 2011
  • HawaiiSlam First Thursdays Grand Finalist: 2012
  • Featured in Hawaii Business Magazine, 2012
  • Performed in RAWartists, 2012
  • Featured in Island Scene Magazine, Winter 2013
  • Performed at Apex X Loft in Space Trilogy II, 2013
  • Opened for Michael Winslow: 2012 (Honolulu)
  • Performed at Honolulu Night + Market, 2013
  • Performed at 20th Hawaii Children & Youth Day Main Stage, 2013
  • Performed at inaugural Art + Flea Mililani
  • Performed at Art + Flea: Boom Bap
  • Featured on Beatbox Battle TV, 2014
  • Performed at Spocom Anaheim, 2014
  • Performed at Spocom Hawaii, 2014
  • Opened for Michael Winslow: 2014 (New York City)
  • Beatboxer in Diverse Art Showcase at Ala Moana Centerstage, 2014
  • Featured in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library & Archives 
  • Featured in the Harvard University Hip-Hop Archives
  • Hosted, sponsored & judged inaugural Hawaii Beatbox Battle Championship
  • Judged Lightsleepers’ Beatroot Producer Battle Final, 2014
  • Performed at the 5th American Beatbox Championship, 2014
  • Beatboxer in Hawaii Children & Youth Day Showcase at Ala Moana Centerstage, 2014
  • Performed at 21st Hawaii Children & Youth Day PG-13 Zone, 2014
  • Word of Life’s G12 Hawaii “Awaken to Conquer” Conference Emerge Pre-Concert Rally
  • Hosted Hawaii Beatbox Concert
  • Named “Hawaii’s King of Beatbox,” 2015
  • HawaiiSlam First Thursdays Grand Finalist: 2015
  • Hawaii All-Star nominated representative for the 4th Beatbox Battle World Championship, 2015
  • Honolulu Star Advertiser Cover Story, 2015
  • Metro HNL Cover Story, 2016
  • HawaiiSlam First Thursdays Grand Finalist: 2016
  • Performed at 23rd Hawaii Children & Youth Day PG-13 Zone, 2016
  • McDonald’s NextNext Music Contest Grand Finalist, 2016
  • Jason Tom Amphitheater to be built proposed by KCC students, 2016
  • Beatboxer in Creation multi-show live production, 2016
  • Beatboxer in Uplift Showcase at Ala Moana Centerstage, 2017
  • KS EdTech Conference Disrupt Presenter, 2018
  • Beatboxer in Uplift & Renew Showcase at Ala Moana Centerstage, 2018
  • Performed at 25th Hawaii Children & Youth Day Main Stage, 2018
  • Beatboxer in Creation multi-show live production, 2018
  • Beatboxer in Prisma Dance Showcases at Ala Moana Centerstage, 2019
  • Performed at 26th Hawaii Children & Youth Day Main Stage, 2019
  • HawaiiSlam First Thursdays Grand Finalist: 2019
  • Hawaii Beatbox workshops, after school & summer school programs, 2006 to 2020s
  • Named Detroit Lions 🦁 Most Optimistic Fan, 2021
  • Beatboxer in Creation multi-show production, 2021
  • Beatbox Battle TV Maximum Respect Award: Legend Lifetime Achievement Award (Fan Favorite), 2023
  • Beatbox Battle TV Maximum Respect Award: Pioneer Award (Fan Favorite), 2023
  • Performed at Sony Music Industry Night, 2023
  • Performed at 30th Hawaii Children & Youth Day Main Stage, 2023
  • Beatboxer in TBA, 2024

Hawaii Beatbox Founder & Program Director: Jason Tom

  • Hawaii Beatbox After School Program at Keʻelikolani Middle School Bulldogs, TBD
  • Hawaii Beatbox Summer Program at Prisma Dance, 2018
  • Hawaii Beatbox Summer Program at Prisma Dance, 2017
  • Hawaii Beatbox Classes at Diverse Art Center, 2015
  • Hawaii Beatbox School Tour, 2015
  • Hawaii Beatbox Classes at Diverse Art Center, 2014
  • Hawaii Beatbox Concert, 2014
  • Hawaii Beatbox Championship, 2014
  • Hawaii Beatbox School Tour, 2014
  • Hawaii Beatbox Classes at Diverse Art Center, 2013
  • Hawaii Beatbox MEʻE After School Program at Waikiki Elementary, 2013
  • Hawaii Beatbox School Tour, 2013
  • Hawaii Beatbox Classes at Chinatown Artist Lofts, 2012
  • Hawaii Beatbox School Tour, 2012
  • Hawaii Beatbox Classes at Chinatown Artist Lofts, 2011
  • Hawaii Beatbox School Tour, 2011
  • Hawaii Beatbox Classes at Diverse Art Center, 2010
  • Hawaii Beatbox School Tour, 2010
  • Hawaii Beatbox Workshops at Waiau Elementary Dolphins, 2010
  • Hawaii Beatbox School Tour, 2009
  • Hawaii Beatbox Workshop at Word of Life Academy Firebrands, 2008
  • Hawaii Beatbox After School Program at Planet Central Middle School Bulldogs, 2006

Fan Favorites: Jason Tom YouTube Videos

  1. Jake Shimabukuro jams with human beatbox - LIVE!
    https://youtu.be/cSUMtxXiCWA
  2. Jason Tom from Hawaii - Freestyle - Beatbox Battle TV
    https://youtu.be/_dUX70HAEUo
  3. TEDxHONOLULU - Jason Tom - Vocal Groove
    https://youtu.be/oIwt_1u7pmw
  4. HUMAN BEATBOX - JASON TOM, Talk Story Unscripted - EP 55
    https://youtu.be/NhG_vaDwrnw
  5. Jason Tom “Beatbox Lobby” Freestyle
    https://youtu.be/l3WgMo6_3s8
  6. Beat Boxing by Jason Tom
    https://youtu.be/IEtTeEozjGk
  7. KS EdTech Jason Tom
    https://youtu.be/xbX8Ab4lWnU
  8. Jason Tom - King of Pop Jam: Michael Jackson Medley (HiSessions.com Acoustic Live!)
    https://youtu.be/iACtBch0cjw
  9. Jason Tom “Listen Carefully (original)”
    https://youtu.be/XyHHbwQd6VE
  10. HawaiiSlam presents 16th First Thursdays Grand Slam Final: Jason Tom
    https://youtu.be/9wXR7oWc7ys
  11. Jason Tom - Tic Tac Toe Song (HiSessions.com Acoustic Live!)
    https://youtu.be/2JN48jMebc4
  12. Jason Tom Bruno Mars Party
    https://youtu.be/01y4BCYbkOM
  13. Jason Tom - Child of the 80s (HiSessions.com Acoustic Live!)
    https://youtu.be/go-_95S1SC0
  14. Jason Tom - Pink Panther (HiSessions.com Acoustic Live!)
    https://youtu.be/3-jT_6MeZVg
  15. Jason Tom - Alumni Profile
    https://youtu.be/_OgkZzS4xUY
  16. 25th Hawaii Children & Youth Day Main Stage: Jason Tom
    https://youtu.be/HB7lIRlIGRA
  17. Jason Tom at Apex
    https://youtu.be/4wjb_tus47U
  18. Interview with Jason Tom (The Human Beatbox Academy) ジェーソン・トム
    https://youtu.be/YFed65XYr2E
  19. Uplift & Renew: Jason Tom
    https://youtu.be/ZtsTRyrexRU
  20. Jason Tom performs Soundscape 
    https://youtu.be/Qo8W0dAslvU
  21. Jason Tom, beatbox-dance number
    https://youtu.be/W2Pih3K961c
  22. The Freeman Foundation Scholarship - Jason Tom
    https://youtu.be/PgIflFdUcSo
  23. Jason Tom "Happy Birthday Kealoha (Hawaii Slam)"
    https://youtu.be/tqx9W8vQafQ
  24. Jason Tom (Human Beatbox) Demo Reel
    https://youtu.be/YygkBZQQtKg
  25. Jason Tom (Human Beatbox) at 2013 Children & Youth Day Hawaii
    https://youtu.be/hb3JVwA2GaY
  26. Jason Tom Chinese New Year Festival at Chinatown Cultural Plaza’s Moongate Stage
    https://youtu.be/0gE8kir7sRw
  27. Jason Tom & Cherry Lei
    https://youtu.be/pxijjnm0KOw
  28. 808’s Beat Box Master
    https://youtu.be/Lj9z0e4D7vU
  29. Jason Tom Beatboxing
    https://youtu.be/rHeWzU6mwrU
  30. Hogan Speaks to Jason Tom
    https://youtu.be/ZUo-pDyyvsc
  31. Jason Tom x Tom Thum
    https://youtu.be/bTkhYAs4RgM
  32. 25th Hawaii Children & Youth Day Main Stage: Jason Tom
    https://youtu.be/1j359ikdZoM
  33. Uplift Ala Moana Centerstage: Jason Tom
    https://youtu.be/eESABro2tpg
  34. NFL Super Bowl Night in Chinatown Block Party Jason Tom
    https://youtu.be/p2DurHB2Dcs
  35. Jason Tom at Pearl City HS
    https://youtu.be/vZIWYkaxpUM

From Judo Champion to Human Beatbox Champion

FROM JUDO CHAMPION TO HUMAN BEATBOX CHAMPION

One fateful stormy night, 21-year-old judo champion Jason Tom's life took an unexpected turn. While walking in his Air Jordan tracksuit, he was struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian, dashing his dreams of competing in national and international judo competitions.

Undeterred, Jason redirected his energy towards a new passion: beatboxing. He became Hawaii's first Human Beatbox star, winning multiple talent and music competitions. His hard work and dedication earned him the opportunity to open for renowned acts like Michael Winslow, the Man of 10,000 Sound Effects, the Jabbawockeez, and Quest Crew.

Jason's inspiring journey from judo champion to human beatbox champion is a testament to the power of resilience and determination.

From Struggling Math Student to Math CoachH

Jason Tom's journey was not just about performing on stage, but also about transforming his academic struggles into success. He went from being a struggling math student to an A student, achieving a remarkable turnaround through sheer hard work and dedication.

His math professor recognized Jason's potential and referred him to become a campus Supplemental Instruction math leader, where he served as a peer-mentor to college math students. In this role, Jason used his own experiences to help others overcome their own math struggles, solidifying his transformation from a struggling student to a math coach.

This revised version emphasizes Jason's academic journey and highlights his transformation from a struggling student to a coach, showcasing his resilience and dedication to learning.

Chinese School Drop Out to Beijing Scholar

Jason Tom's journey was marked by perseverance and determination. Despite failing first grade in Chinese school multiple times and eventually dropping out, he refused to let his struggles define him. Thirteen years later, he drew on the discipline and focus he had honed on the judo mat to tackle the Chinese language once again.

Through sheer hard work and dedication, Jason worked tirelessly to meet the academic standards required to be recommended and selected as a Beijing Foreign Studies University scholar. His efforts paid off, as he completed the intensive Chinese program with an impressive 4.0 grade point average overall.

This revised version highlights Jason's resilience and determination, showcasing his transformation from a struggling student to a successful scholar.