1982

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

Jason Tom Fresh

Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children

 

Then this was where I lived from the ages of one through three.
San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge

 

Honolulu

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

Jason Tom Front Page Cover Story
Photo credit: Craig Kojima 

 

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

 

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

Makana and Jason Tom Rumfire

Makana & Jason Tom

 

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

 

Jason Tom and Ronald McDonald

Jason Tom & Ronald McDonald
Photo credit: Matt Marquez

 

Michael Jackson Bad Short Film at New York Subway Station

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.

CBS Michael Jackson: the Magic Returns

 

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 VHS

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

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

 

Jason Tom Michael Jackson Thriller Varsity JacketHuman 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.

Primetime Live Diane Sawyer, Michael Jackson, Lisa Marie PresleyABC 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.

Jason Tom Billie Jean Waikiki by Joe Marquez Jason Tom Fedora Bow by Jeannemarie Kavanaugh Jason Tom Bridge Dance by Matt Marquez Jason Tom Red Leather Jacket by Joe Marquez Jason Tom Moonwalk by Jeannemarie Kavanaugh Jason Tom Billie Jean Kick by Joe Marquez Jason Tom Side Glide by Matt Marquez Jason Tom Dance Trio by Joe Marquez Jason Tom Billie Jean Pelvic Thrust by Joe Marquez Jason Tom Dance Kick by Joe Marquez Jason Tom White Jacket Moonwalk by Joe Marquez Jason Tom Circle Glide by Joe Marquez
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.

Cynth and the What’s His Faces with Jason Tom

Jason Tom and Michael Winslow

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

 

American Beatbox Championship: Rahzel and Jason Tom

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

McKinley High School Class of 2001Jason Tom 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.
Jim Caviezel as Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson’s the Passion of the Christ

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

 

Jason Tom Family DinnerJason Tom Family Dinner
Photo credit: Robert Wester

 

University of Hawaiʻi: Kapiʻolani Community College

Kapiolani Community CollegeKCC Talent Show

 

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
Beijing Foreign Studies University

 

Jason Tom and Jake Shimabukuro

Jason Tom and Jake Shimabukuro

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.
Jason Tom Hawaii Beatbox After School Program

University of Hawaiʻi: Kapiʻolani Community College class of 2007

Jason Tom KCC Class of 2007

 

University of Hawaiʻi: Honolulu Community College; and Belmont University MELEUniversity of Hawaii: Honolulu Community College

Music Entertainment and Learning ExperienceBelmont University

 

Jason Tom Hip-Hopalypse Production

Jason Tom in the Hip-Hopalypse Production cast

 

Jason Tom China Beatbox Tour

Jason Tom China Beatbox Tour

 

Hawaiian Ryan and Jason Tom First ThursdaysHawaiian 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.
Jason Tom Word of Life Emerge Talent Show

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

 

Jason Tom, Far East Movement, Wong Fu Productions

 

Jason Tom Metromix Cover Story

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

 

Jason Tom TEDx Play

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

 

Jason Tom and Angela Keen TEDx ConferenceTEDx 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

Jason Tom “Entertain Me” TV Show Taping

 

Mighty4 Arts Foundation
Photo credit: Lawrence Tabudlo

 

Jason Tom Puja Production Love LettersJason 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.
American Beatboxer: Jason Tom

Jason Tom Level 4
Photo credit: Art Solis

 

Jason Tom Music With A Message Assembly at McKinley Tigers

Kutmaster Spaz and Jason Tom Music With A Message TourJason 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 Assembly at Kaimuki Middle School

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

 

Pearl City High School Chargers Yearbook: Jason Tom Music With A Message Assembly

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Remedee at Hawaii Children and Youth Day PG-13 Zone

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

 

Andy Tran 17th Hawaii Children and Youth Day PG-13 Zone

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

 

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

 

Jason Tom ReThink Conference Hawaii International Film Festival

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

 

Jason Tom Apex

Jason Tom Apex Opener
Jason Tom Apex Opener
Photo credit: Chris Cabjuan
 

 

Jason Tom Boys and Girls of HawaiiBoys & Girls Club of Hawaii
Photo credit: Curators of Hip Hop

 

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

 

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

 

Jason Tom Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM)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 Japan Benefit ConcertJason Tom beatboxing for the Japan Benefit Concert

 

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

 

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

 

Jason Tom TEDx ConferenceTEDx Jason Tom

 

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

 

Jason Tom Music With A Message Assembly at Pearl City ChargersJason 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 and Youth Day at Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda Main StageJason Tom 20th Hawaii Children & Youth Day at Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda

 

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

Jill Kuramoto interviews Jason Tom

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

 

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

 

Jason Tom McKinley High School Tiger Dance ClubGuest speaker Jason Tom at McKinley High School Dance Club

 

Jason Tom Art and Flea Mililani MaukaJason Tom with Dance Crew Art and Flea MililaniJason Tom Art and Flea MililaniJason Tom Art + Flea Performance
Photo credit: Art + Flea

 

BEATBOX BATTLE TV Jason TomBEATBOX 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 ArtJason Tom Art After Dark at Honolulu Museum of Art
Photo credit: Joe Marquez

 

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

 

Miss Hawaii Ellie Kakazu interviews Jason Tom

 

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

 

Jason Tom and Jeff Staple Pow Wow WorldwidePow Wow Worldwide: Jason Tom & Jeff Staple

 

Estevan Oriol and Jason Tom Pow Wow WorldwidePow Wow Worldwide: Estevan Oriol “L.A. Fingers”

 

Pow Wow WorldwidePow Wow Worldwide

 

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

 

Jason Tom Innovation SessionsJason Tom Innovative Sessions
Photo credit: Patrick Lau

 

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

 

Jason Tom Creation Production Season 1Jason 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 Shriners Hospitals for ChildrenAngela Keen and Jason Tom at Shriners Hospitals for Children

 

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

 

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

 

Jason Tom 25th Hawaii Children and Youth Day

Jason Tom 25th Hawaii Children and Youth Day

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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