Jason Tom's Monster Heartbeat: Pulse of a Rhythm Blog Cast
City & County of Honolulu Presents Jason Tom Emergency Preparedness Fair Performance
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
1982
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
American Beatboxer Documentary
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
Through the Storm
I pull from my faith in God, daily. I am grateful to Jesus for what He does to help. It has been 18 years since my traumatic car accident. Through the storm, I was unconscious. I heard a voice. This voice prayed over me and prayed for me. It was the driver I collided with who rendered help. I am forever grateful that she prayed for me.
White Dove in Full Flight photo by Dorian Stretton.
That after effects of this trauma impacted my years in college and beatboxing. It nearly costed me my life. Satan “John 10:10’d” me like he did Job. It felt like a ton of bricks crushed every fiber of my being.
Through it all, I am grateful to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus kept me in Him and He relentlessly protected me.
In 2008, I went through an oppression by the adversary. I couldn’t figure it out. I prayed to God, “Jesus, please send me to a Christian church and plant me there so I can grow to know You (Jesus).” God answered my prayer and sent me, not one, not two, but three individuals that invited me to Word of Life Christian Center. An uncommon church.
I got planted at Word of Life Honolulu, a church I can call home. I got plugged into a bible study called “Life Group.” I registered for classes to grow closer, deeper and stronger in my daily walk with Jesus.
My walk with God is how I fight the good fight of faith. I endured an uphill battle tougher than any math problem, hip hop and beatbox battle. The warfare was not carnal. It was spiritual.
I surrendered it all to God. God kept me.
Jesus was relentless on restoring me. I am forever grateful to Jesus Christ. My personal Lord and Savior.
In 2015, my pastors, Pastors Art and Kuna Sepulveda prayed for me and over me.
In 2016, Jesus supernaturally avenged me and crushed the head of the serpent of old, Satan, on my behalf. Jesus rescued me. Restored me. Then Pastor Kuna prayed for God to complete His healing ❤️🩹 work in me. Jesus performed a miracle work by fulfilling His promises.
I am forever grateful to God for Word of Life Christian Center and how Word of Life ministry has equipped me on how to tap into an uncommon faith in the Word of God, the Anointed One, and His Anointing.
The Word of God restored me for uncommon living.
Jesus has been doing and continues to do an uncommon work in me and through me.
Thank you Jesus! I love you God! I give you all of the honor, praise and glory.
“I See You” by Chris Tomlin and Brandon Lake