Jason Tom

Na Hoku Hanohano Award and Beatbox Battle World Championship nominee Jason Tom is an American Born Chinese "Human Beatbox." He began beatboxing at the tender age of four in 1987. Hawaii Beatbox pioneers Radical Rob Onokea, Gizmo, Re-Run and Joevon Brown paved the way for him. His sister audio engineered his 1989 music cassette recording of him beatboxing Michael Jackson "Bad." His "human beatbox" sound and style was also influenced by Bobby McFerrin, Michael Winslow, Doug E. Fresh, Fat Boys, Run DMC, Beastie Boys, Biz Markie, Fred Newman, Rahzel, Killa Kela, Elaine Chao, MC Jin, DJ Premier, DJ Qbert, and Naturally 7. He has presented the art of vocal percussion, the fifth element of hip-hop, at TEDx Talk, KS EdTech, ReThink HIFF Speaker Series, Chevron Speech Festival, Hawaii Children & Youth Day, Hawaii Music & Book Festival; career days and the Music With A Message, Say Yes to Purpose, Not Even Once, and RAP: Real And Powerful school assembly tours. Jason Tom's contribution to the hip-hop community is featured in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Harvard University hip-hop archives. He is a multilingual born again Christian and fifth-generation Asian Pacific American. "Jason Tom's rendition of Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' is a spectacle of showmanship. From the first drum and snare beats, the song is recognizable, and you wonder how so many sounds could be coming from one person's mouth. Add to this Jason Tom's signature Michael Jackson moves, from the hip thrust to the hand jive. He glides across the floor in a smooth moonwalk." He is named NFL's Most Optimistic Detroit Lions Fan, McDonald's NextNext Top 3 Hawaii Music Artist, Hawaii Scene Choice Awards' Best Performer, Honolulu Weekly's Local Musician Deserving a Wider Audience, and Hawaii's King of Beatbox. Jason Tom has starred in the "American Beatboxer" film, that has been screened in over 20 film festivals. He has opened shows for Michael Winslow, Reeps One, Verbalase, Blue Scholars, Bambu, the Jabbawockeez, and Quest Crew, and has collaborated live with Tom Thum, Jake Shimabukuro, Imua Garza, Taimane Gardner, and Makana.