The 4 main elements to Hip Hop are MCing, Djing, Breakdancing and Graffiti. However, some believe that the fifth element is Beatboxing. With Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh and Rahzel pioneering an international beatboxing scene, artists who use their voice as percussion have as many followers as MCs, DJs, breakdancers or graffiti artists. Since beatboxers are able to perform any song they are inspired by or originate, their audiences expand further than just a Hip Hop community.
In Honolulu, whether you are at a fancy hotel, a bookstore, the University, an art gallery, a high school or a club, the name Jason Tom is no stranger. He is known as the Hawai'i Human Beatbox and can perform Michael Jackson's "Bad" with just his voice and a microphone. His dedication to the art of beatboxing has also led him to form The Human Beatbox Academy, where he teaches basics to inspiring beatboxers and advances the artform with experience vocal percussionists.
He has been recognized by the Honolulu Weekly, Scene Choice, American Lung Association and TEDxHonolulu to name a few. Jason Tom is not only a talented beatboxer, but also an active member in his community. As the co-founder of ArtSmith, a performing arts and music venue, he thrives to provide a healthy community with a positive experience including youth and Hip Hop music.
Although he has been paying with beatboxing since the age of 4, Jason Tom exploded on the Honolulu Hip Hop scene as a world-class performer in 2004. Now that he has got the "rock" on his shoulders, the Hawai'i Human Beatbox has got his eyes set on making the world recognize how Hip Hop on the island of Hawai'i sounds through beatbox.
He can be followed through his website, www.jasontom.com and I'm sure that if you ask around, they'll know where to find him next.
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