Far East Movement

Far East Movement

The Far*East Movement (also known as FM) is a rapping, songwriting and music event producing group formed in 2003 in Los Angeles, California, consisting of Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif, and DJ Virman. They put together the first multicultural live music event in Koreatown, LA to benefit a drug rehabilitation center in the their community called "Movementality". FM's first claim to fame was their song "Round Round" featured in the Hollywood blockbuster, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, and its subsequent soundtrack, video game, and DVD. Since Round Round, they’ve been featured on various other network shows including CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, HBO’s hit show Entourage, and Finishing the Game (a featured film at Sundance 2007). They were invited to perform on Power 106's Powerhouse 2009, one of biggest Hip-Hop concerts on the west coast, performing with the line-up including Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Sean Paul, New Boyz, Pitbull, Lil Jon, LMFAO, Ya Boy, Flo Rida, and the Black Eyed Peas.

Musical Career

2003-2007: Catch Music Group

The members of Far East Movement, Kevin Nishimura, James Roh, Jae Choung, grew up in Los Angeles, California. They were good friends in high school and they shared a passion in music. They promoted their music online and began performing at local clubs and events in Los Angeles. In 2001, They started with the name "Emcee's Anonymous". However, they later changed it to Far East Movement, originating from a song they made titled "The Far East Movement". In 2003, they put together an event called "Movementality" in Koreatown, LA, featuring ten different performances, with all the proceeds going to a local youth drug rehabilitation center. While promoting the event they met Carl Choi, who shared the same visions and goals, partnering together they established Catch Music Group in 2004. In 2005 they released their mixtape Audio-Bio.

In early 2006, they released their first album titled Folk Music. The single "Round Round" was featured in the film The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, appearing on the soundtrack and video game. They went on two world tours (including USA, South America, Canada, and Asia), and they signed distribution deals in Japan and Korea with Avex Network and JF Productions for their album. Their songs continued to be shown in the media and TV networks including VH1, MTV, and E!. In 2007 they were featured in the Sundance Film Festival film Finishing the Game, making the song "Satisfaction" for the film. They released the single "You've Got A Friend" featuring Lil Rob and Baby Bash which became their first song on major national radio.

2008-present: DJ Virman and Animal

Far East Movement's manager Carl Choi introduced them to LA's radio station Power 106 DJ, DJ Virman. DJ Virman was interested in what the group were doing, joining the group as their official DJ. In 2008 they released another single titled "Lowridin" that received major airplay. They later planned on releasing a sophomore album, releasing Animal in 2008. Animal featured three hit singles that got national major radio play, “You’ve Got A Friend”, “Lowridin”, and the successful “Girls On The Dance Floor.” Girls on the Dance Floor reached 27th on the Billboard charts for the Latin Rhythm Airplay, their debut on Billboard's charts.

There were several collaborations on the Animal Album, including The Stereotypes, Jin the MC, Lil Rob, Baby Bash, Bruno Mars, Wiz Khalifa, Bionik, 24/8, IZ, DB Tonik, and Jah Free. Songs off Animal were featured in film and television multiple times. FM's single "Girls on the Dance Floor" has been featured on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew on the Season 4 Finale during a performance with Artistry In Motion, Vogue Evolution, and We Are Heroes. It was also featured on FOX's So You Think You Can Dance and on CSI: Miami Season 8's episode 7. "Dance Like Michael Jackson" was also featured on ABC Family's Lincoln Heights on November 10, 2009. "I Party" was featured on FOX's TV series Lie To Me and "Fetish" was on Spike TV's Guy's Choice Awards 2009. Girls on the Dance Floor has gotten over 5 million hits on Myspace; and it has over 1 million hits on Youtube also.

In 2009, they were a featured act in Power 106's concert Powerhouse with well-known acts including Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Sean Paul, New Boyz, Pitbull, Lil Jon, LMFAO, Ya Boy, Flo Rida, and the Black Eyed Peas. Popular streetwear company Orisue has teamed up with Far East Movement, including a music video for "Lowridin". In May 2009 Far East Movement joined popular Korean act Epik High on their "Map the Soul" tour around the US. In July 2009 they had their first headlining concert at the Roxy Theater in Hollywood, which was a sold out show. FM has put together two sold out concerts titled the ISA, one in San Francisco and LA, to promote Asian American artists in the media with performances from acts like Jin and Quest Crew. FM's new mixtape Party Animal was released on the first date of the Party Rock Tour (featuring FM, LMFAO, Shwayze, Paradiso Girls, Space Cowboy and more). FM has two singles getting major radio airplay, "Girls on the Dance Floor" and "2 is Better w/ Ya Boy". They announced that they are working on a new album with Grammy nominated producers The Stereotypes who produced their hit, Girls on the Dance Floor.

Producers

FM has partnered with manager Carl Choi to form the international company Catch Music Group. Within this venture, FM was responsible for producing the award winning platinum album for Jin - ABC JIN which was the highest first week selling album for a new artist in Hong Kong. FM is working with Future Rockstars of America on FRA's upcoming show "Grinder". FM has been working with the Stereotypes and artists such as Wiz Khalifa, Lil Rob, Baby Bash, One Block Radius, LMFAO, The Cataracs, Space Cowboy, the Paradiso Girls, Murs, Hyper Crush, and Ya Boy.

Discography

• 2005 - Audio Bio
• 2006 - For The Folks N' Family Mixtape
• 2006 – Folk Music
• 2007 - Flavored Animal Droppings
• 2008 – Animal
• 2009 – Party Animal Mixtape

Singles

• 2003 - Declaration of Independence
• 2003 - Simple Love
• 2003 - Hunger Strike
• 2004 - Blue Collar Blues
• 2005 - DaymitFeelGood
• 2006 – Round Round
• 2007 – You’ve Got A Friend featuring Baby Bash & Lil Rob
• 2008 – Lowridin’ (& Knight Rider Remix featuring Wiz Khalifa & Bionik
• 2008 – Girls On The Dance Floor (& remix featuring Fatman Scoop)
• 2009 - Fetish
• 2009 - 2 is Better featuring Lil Eddie & Ya Boy
• 2009 - Millionaire featuring Jin
• 2009 - Like A G6 featuring The Cataracs & DEV
• 2009 - Break Up Remix featuring Murs

References

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External links

• Official website