Friday, June 10th was National Beatbox Day in the United States. I want to wish you a Happy Belated National Beatbox Day from the Aloha State.

Earlier in the week, I had a blast beatboxing on National Best Friends Day in the Honolulu Blue and Silver. I am thankful to my Best Friend Forever Jesus for Hawaii Baptist Academy Eagles and First Baptist Richardson on having me jam for them this summer.

National Best Friends Day photos by Craig Chang:

I am grateful to God for Bobby McFerrin, Michael Winslow, Michael Jackson, Doug E. Fresh, Fat Boys, Biz Markie, the Roots, Rahzel, Radical Rob Onokea, Gizmo, Re-Run, Joevon Brown, Naturally 7, Afra, Leejay Abucayan, Butterscotch, Elaine Chao, and Killa Kela for paving the way for me in beatboxing, the fifth element of hip hop, to open doors and windows for the next generation.

City & County of Honolulu presents Jason Tom Emergency Preparedness Fair performance hosted by council member Augie Tulba.

Mahalo Town Center of Mililani!

NFL Style:
Hawaii’s Premier Human Beatbox Music Artist: Jason Tom 
Headwear: Detroit Lions New Era Fitted Hat 
Outerwear: Detroit Lions Starter “Post Season” Honolulu Blue and Silver Satin Varsity Jacket designed by Ty Mopkins
2nd Outerwear Layer: Detroit Lions Homage “Helmet Retro“ Hoodie 
Rock the Mic: AKG BBB DFIVE, official BEATBOX BATTLE microphone, tool for world champions 
Accessory: G-Shock In4mation Watch
Footwear: PUMA “Rebound LayUp Nubuck” Sneaker
 

Jason Tom rocking the AKG BBB DFIVE, official BEATBOX BATTLE microphone, tool for world champions
Photo Credit: Phoebe Cameron

I was born at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children of Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, United States on Sunday, November 21, 1982.

 

Then this was where I lived from the ages of one through three.

San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge

 

Then I moved back to the beautiful city of Honolulu.

 

I am grateful to the Hawaii Beatbox pioneers and innovators Radical Rob Onekea, Gizmo, Re-Run, and Joevon Brown of the 1980s for paving the way for me to perpetuate the fifth element of hip hop culture called “beatboxing” as Hawaii’s Human Beatbox.

Jason Tom Front Page Cover Story
Photo credit: Craig Kojima 

 

Jason Tom & Jake Shimabukuro Jam!
Photo credit: Ayumi Yamamoto

 

Kamuela Kahoano & Jason Tom
Photo credit: Raul Soria, Awaken the Mosh
 

Makana & Jason Tom

 

Jason Tom & MC Jin Au-Yeung
Photo credit: Sandra Li

 

Jason Tom & Ronald McDonald
Photo credit: Matt Marquez

 

Michael Jackson “Bad” music short film directed by Martin Scorsese.

 

As a Kauluwela Tiger Cub Kindgergartner: I began beatboxing Michael Jackson “Bad” at four-years-old when I tuned into the world premiere of “Bad” .. the music short film directed by Martin Scorsese in CBS’ Michael Jackson: the Magic Returns on Monday, August 31st, 1987.

 

As a Liholiho Warrior First Grader: My sister audio engineered a 1989 music cassette recording of me beatboxing Michael Jackson “Bad” by memory; having been inspired by Michael Jackson “Bad,” Weird Al Yankovic “Fat,” and “Badder” from the Michael Jackson: Moonwalker musical movie film.

Michael Jackson: Moonwalker “Badder”

 

Michael Jackson: Moonwalker Musical Movie Film (1988)

 

As a Kauluwela Tiger Cub Fourth Grader: Thursday, February 10, 1993, it was my first time watching Michael Jackson beatbox in  “Michael Jackson Talks … to Oprah.” It was mind blowing when Oprah asked Michael Jackson to beatbox “Who is It” live from his Dangerous album.

Michael Jackson Talks … to Oprah (1993):
Oprah Winfrey asks Michael Jackson to beatbox “Who is It” live from his Dangerous album (1991).

 

Human Beatbox Artist: Jason Tom
Outerwear: Michael Jackson Thriller Varsity Jacket
Rock the Mic: AKG BBB DFIVE, official BEATBOX BATTLE microphone, tool for world champions
Photo credit: Flynt Azama

 

On Wednesday, June 14, 1995, it was my second time watching Michael Jackson beatbox. Michael Jackson beatboxed “Tabloid Junkie” from his History album for Diane Sawyer. What a musical genius! This was the ABC Primetime Live Diane Sawyer interview with Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley, and the world premiere for the Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson “Scream” music video.

ABC Primetime Live: Diane Sawyer interviews Michael Jackson & Lisa Marie Presley (1995)

 

Behind-the-scenes from the 1990s through the 2010s into the 2020s.. I worked on innovating a human beatbox “song and dance” routine with a Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly touch that pays homage to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” Motown 25 performance that was televised on Monday, May 16, 1983.

           
Photo Credits
Joe Marquez: 1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 
Jeannemarie Kavanaugh: 2, 5
Matt Marquez: 3, 7

During the pre-YouTube era, I also grew up listening to Motown music, Bobby McFerrin, Doug E. Fresh, the Fat Boys, Biz Markie, Rahzel, and Kenny Muhammad. I was further inspired by Michael Winslow, Naturally 7; and Asian Pacific American beatboxers Leejay Abucayan, and Elaine Chao.

Jason Tom & Man of 10,000 Sound Effects Michael Winslow.
Photo credit: Raul Soria, Awaken the Mosh

 

Three-time Grammy Award Winner Rahzel & Jason Tom.
Photo credit: American Beatbox Championship
 

McKinley High School Class of 2001

 

On Friday, February 27, 2004, through the storm, a vehicle ran a red light and collided with me. As I laid unconscious on the wet asphalt, driver rendered help and prayed for me. Doctor revealed to my family that it was a “miracle” I survived the collision. The next day, I was taken to watch Mel Gibson’s the Passion of the Christ and it was in that moment I decided to go back to earn my college degree and pursue my career as a beatboxer.

Actor Jim Caviezel as Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson’s the Passion of the Christ

 

Jason Tom Family Dinner
Photo credit: Robert Wester

 

University of Hawaiʻi: Kapiʻolani Community College

 

Beijing Foreign Studies University class of 2006
北京外国语大学 class of 2006
北京外國語大學 class of 2006

 

Jason Tom and Jake Shimabukuro Jam!
Photo credit: Grace Yee

 

I then developed and facilitated Hawaii Beatbox Workshops for an After School Program in Downtown Honolulu.

University of Hawaiʻi: Kapiʻolani Community College class of 2007

 

University of Hawaiʻi: Honolulu Community College; and Belmont University MELE

 

Jason Tom in the Hip-Hopalypse Production cast

 

Jason Tom China Beatbox Tour

 

Hawaiian Ryan & Jason Tom beatboxing duo LIVE at First Thursdays HawaiiSlam

 

Two of my music business classmates invited me to enter as a beatboxer at the Word of Life Emerge Statewide Talent Competition Semi-FInals. On Friday, October 24th, 2008, I prayed and I re-dedicated my life to- and my faith- in Jesus Christ. I got planted at Word of Life Christian Center as my home church and got water baptized as a born again Christian on Saturday, July 7, 2012.

I got invited by my audio engineering professor to facilitate Hawaii Beatbox Workshops at Word of Life Academy.

 

 

Jason Tom Metromix Front Page Cover Story
Photo credit: Andrew Shimabuku

 

Jason Tom TEDx Talks Shift Conference: Play
Photo credit: Grilled Cornbread

 

TEDx Talks Shift Conference: Angela Keen interviews Jason Tom
“Successful People Fail More” -Jason Tom
Photo credit: Grilled Cornbread

 

Jason Tom “Entertain Me” TV Show Taping

 

Mighty4 Arts Foundation
Photo credit: Lawrence Tabudlo

 

Jason Tom beatboxing for Puja Production: Love Letters
Photo credit: Joe Marquez

 

I filmed my human beatbox parts on location in New York City for the “American Beatboxer” documentary movie film that has been placed in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Harvard University’s hip hop archives.

Jason Tom Level 4
Photo credit: Art Solis

 

Jason Tom “Music With A Message: Not on Tobacco” Tour at McKinley Tigers
Photo credit: American Lung Association in Hawaii

 

Jason Tom “Music With A Message: Not on Tobacco” Tour at Kaimuki Middle School
Photo credit: American Lung Association in Hawaii

 

Jason Tom “Music With A Message” Assembly
Photo credit: Pearl City High School Chargers Yearbook

 

Jason Tom 17th Hawaii Children & Youth Day PG-13 Zone

 

Jason Tom Dance Crew member Yoda at 17th Hawaii Children & Youth Day PG-13 Zone.

 

Jason Tom Dance Crew member OloPop at 17th Hawaii Children & Youth Day PG-13 Zone.

 

Jason Tom Dance Crew member Remedee at 17th Hawaii Children & Youth Day PG-13 Zone.

 

Jason Tom Dance Crew member Andy Tran at 17th Hawaii Children & Youth Day PG-13 Zone.

 

Jason Tom Dance Crew member Impulse at 17th Hawaii Children & Youth Day PG-13 Zone.

 

Jason Tom [Re]Think Conference
HIFF: Hawaii International Film Festival

 

 
Jason Tom Apex Opener
Photo credit: Chris Cabjuan
 

 

Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii
Photo credit: Curators of Hip Hop

 

Jason Tom beatboxing in Puja Production: Fantastic Voyage
Photo credit: Michael Baxter

 

Jason Tom in William Shakespheare Festival’s Femme Capulet Production cast
Photo credit: Cheyne Gallarde

 

Jason Tom beatboxing at Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM)
Photo credit: Olivier Yoshitomi

 

Hawaii News Now: Kamuela Kahoano & Jason Tom performs Blood Bank of Hawaii Benefit Concert
Photo credit: Ryan Ozawa

 

Jason Tom beatboxing for the Japan Benefit Concert

 

Jason Tom & Friends performing for the Aloha Music For Japan Benefit Concert
Photo Credit: Chiyo Flynn

 

Jason Tom beatboxing at the Honolulu Museum of Art
Photo credit: Mark Susuico

 

TEDx Jason Tom

 

Jason Tom TEDx Talks “It’s About Time” Conference: Vocal Groove Presentation
Photo credit: Eugene Hopkins 

 

Jason Tom “Music With A Message: Not on Tobacco” Tour at Pearl City High School Chargers
Photo credit: American Lung Association in Hawaii

 

Jason Tom behind-the-scenes taping of Gear Up’s Take Charge of Your Future: College is for Everyone PSA

 

Jason Tom RAW
Photo credit: Nathene Lynn Antonio

 

Jason Tom 20th Hawaii Children & Youth Day at Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda

 

Jill Kuramoto interviews Jason Tom on ABC’s KITV 4 NEWS

Local beatboxer shares his sounds: Jason Tom is a local beatboxer sharing his distinct sounds around the world, and to local keiki through his "music with a message".

 

Oahu Beatboxer Jason Tom performs: He's performed for nearly a decade, and is educating many young and old about the art form of beatboxing.

 

Jason Tom Music With A Message Assembly at Pearl City High School Chargers
Photo credit: American Lung Association in Hawaii

 

Jason Tom with American Lung Association in Hawaii
Music With A Message: Not on Tobacco Assembly at Roosevelt High School Rough Riders Auditorium
Photo credit: American Lung Association in Hawaii

 

Jason Tom “Hawaii Meth Project: Not Even Once” Tour at Farrington High School Governors
Photo credit: American Lung Association in Hawaii

 

Jason Tom “Say Yes to Purpose” Tour at Castle High School Knights
Photo credit: American Lung Association in Hawaii

 

“Say Yes to Purpose” Tour: Jason Tom and Honoka Katayama
at Moanalua High School Menehunes’ Drug Free Assembly

 

Jason Tom Music With A Message: Not on Tobacco Tour at Moanalua High School Menehunes
Photo credit: American Lung Association in Hawaii

 

Miss Hawaii Crystal Montrone, Kimee Balmilero, and Jason Tom
at Mid-Pacific Institute Career Day

 

Jason Tom Music With A Message: Not on Tobacco Tour at Kamehameha Schools
Photo credit: American Lung Association in Hawaii

 

Guest speaker Jason Tom at McKinley High School Dance Club

 

Jason Tom Art + Flea Performance
Photo credit: Art + Flea

 

BEATBOX BATTLE TV, the World’s Largest Beatboxing Video Archive: Jason Tom

 

Jason Tom Art + Flea “Boom Bap” Hip Hop Performance
Photo credit: Art + Flea

 

Jason Tom Art After Dark at Honolulu Museum of Art
Photo credit: Joe Marquez

 

The Art of Life TV Show: Willow Chang interviews Jason Tom

 

Miss Hawaii Ellie Kakazu interviews Jason Tom

 

Jason Tom & Chaotic Five at 21st Hawaii Children Youth & Day PG-13 Zone

 

Pow Wow Worldwide: Jason Tom & Jeff Staple

 

Pow Wow Worldwide: Estevan Oriol “L.A. Fingers”

 

Pow Wow Worldwide

 

Jason Tom Music With A Message Tour at Nanakuli High School Hawks
Photo credit: American Lung Assocation in Hawaii

 

Jason Tom Innovative Sessions
Photo credit: Patrick Lau

 

Jason Tom and Hawaii Children & Youth Day LIVE at Ala Moana Centerstage
Photo credit: Sunny Aloha

 

Jason Tom beatboxing in Creation Production season 1
Photo credit: Albert Moreno

 

Jason Tom US Vets Barbers Point
Photo credit: Nicole Lam

 

Jason Tom US Vets Barbers Point
Photo credit: Brian Bat

 

Angela Keen and Jason Tom at Shriners Hospitals for Children

 

Jason Tom at Shriners Hospitals for Children
Photo credit: Prisma Dance

 

Jason Tom KS EdTech Conference: Disrupt “Let’s Do This!”
Photo credit: Kamehameha Schools

 

 

Jason Tom 25th Hawaii Children & Youth Day Main Stage at Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda

 

Jason Tom beatboxing in Creation Production season 2.
Photo credit: Albert Moreno

 

Jason Tom 26th Hawaii Children & Youth Day Main Stage at Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda
Photo credit: Hawaii Children & Youth Day

 

KALO TV UNSCRIPTED TALK STORY TV Show: David & Doug Interviews Jason Tom

 

Jason Tom named Detroit Lions Most Optimistic Fan… go Honolulu Blue and Silver!

 

Jason Tom beatboxing in Creation Production season 3
Photo credit: Albert Moreno

It has truly been an honor to have been a part in the making of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “American Beatboxer” documentary movie film. I am grateful to have watched “American Beatboxer” for the first time, today, even though it seemed as though it was yesterday that I had flown out to New York City to film my “American Beatboxer” segments nearly 12 years ago. American Beatboxer has been screened at over 20 film festivals and has won multiple awards.

New York is the birth place of hip hop culture and beatboxing is the 5th element of hip hop culture. I was 4-years-old when I began beatboxing the moment I watched the world premiere of Michael Jackson’s “Bad” music video in 1987 CBS’ Michael Jackson: the Magic Returns. I instantly fell in love with Bad’s energy, catchy music, song and dance, and New York Subway scene. I couldn’t stop beatboxing and singing the song, “Bad.” Music artists like Michael Jackson, Bobby McFerrin, Doug E. Fresh, Buffy of the Fat Boys, Biz Markie, and Rahzel were the artists I grew up listening to beatboxing during my pre-dial up Internet years from the late 1980s to the late 1990s.

With some obstacles behind-the-scenes, I didn’t think I would make it to see the “American Beatboxer” documentary. I count my blessings each and every breath I take. Thank You Manauvascar Kaublall, Rich McKeown, Chesney Snow, and Rahzel M. Brown.

Where you can watch and find my parts in “American Beatboxer”… here they are… and you can watch it here on my blog or here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FdhSjckSie4:

Where you can find me in the “American Beatboxer” documentary…
1. My beatboxing was audibly used for the “American Beatboxer” documentary’s beginning title intro theme music song (0:00 to 0:15).

2. B-roll footage of me dancing a funk style popping circle glide in the background while Christopher Celiz was interviewed (26:28 to 26:33).   

3. My “American Beatboxer” feature representing the state of Hawaii at the first ever American Beatbox Championship (45:16 to 45:50).

I am grateful to God for Word of Life Hawaii, my church family, friends, our global music community, and the American Beatboxer documentary that has supported me through this journey. 

American Beatboxer Documentary Movie Film
Directed by:
Manauvaskar Kublall

Produced by:
Rich McKeown

Edited by:
Manauvaskar Kublall

Executive Producers:
Chesney Snow
Rich McKeown
Manauvaskar Kublall

Associate Producers:
Rahzel M. Brown
Hushawn Hudson
Tim Fisher

Marketing Producers:
Sean Burgess
Danny Brookings
Kalim Pearson

Assistant Editor:
Rich McKeown

Camera:
Manauvaskar Kublall
Rich McKeown
Shiraz Kahn

Animation:
Andrew Iyageh

Music Supervisor:
Rich McKeown

Sound Mixer:
Peter Hucey

The Finalists:
Maximillian also known as Maximillian Reynolds 
Heaven aka Steven Canter 
BFlow aka Louis Philippe Arty 
NYC Beatbox aka Christopher Celia 
Lucky Monkey aka Tiffany White 
One Man Band aka Sam Rogers 
The Human Drum Machine aka Nick Fox

The First American Beatbox Champion: 
Frisco aka Francisco Romero 

The Judges:
Rahzel aka Rahzel M. Brown 
Jacobi White 
Parrish Smith 
Masai Electro aka Masai Green 
Swiss Chris aka Christoph Flueck 

The Host:
Hassan Salaam 

International Host: 
Hobbit aka Jack Hobbs 

International Beatboxers: 
Lytos - Spain 
Ezra & L.O.S. - France 
KRNFX aka Terry I’m - Canada 

B.E.A.T. NYC:
James Kim 
Taylor McFerrin 
Beatsmyth aka Andy Smith 

Beatbox History 
Performed by Chesney Snow 
Written by Chesney Snow & Rich McKeown 

BEAT Rockers footage provided by: 
B.E.A.T. NYC

Film Website Developer: 
Kathleen Paqueno

Special Thanks to: 
M.I.H.E. (Make It Happen Entertainment) 
Martha Diaz 
The Hip-Hop Education Center 
Peter Hucey 
FulleLoaded Productions 
Adam Matta 
HumanBeatbox.com 
Steve Fox 
O.Raphael Okoro 
Jason Tom 
Kimberly Knox 
Ubiquity Worldwide 
Julie Kim & Scott Koshmoodi 
Littlefield Performance & Art Center
Ben Miles 
Tail Moteelall 
Simone Jinghoor 
Deidre Ann Johnson 
James and Stella McKeown 
Sad and Shanwatti Kublall 
Magdalena Snow