Far East Movement turns up the volume during concert at FLEACT Yokosuka

Photo By Gregory Mitchell | 'J-Splif' (Jae Choung) and 'Kev Nish' (Kevin Nishimura) of the hip hop/pop group Far East Movement, hype up the crowd during a concert held at FLEACT, Yokosuka's Benny Decker Theater, Oct. 24. (Photo by Greg Mitchell/RELEASED BY FLEACT PAO)  

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

10.24.2013

Courtesy Story

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Fleet Activities (FLEACT), Yokosuka received a rare treat in the form of pop group Far East Movement, who performed in a concert held at the Benny Decker Theater, Oct. 24.

The quartet, based out of Los Angeles, Calif., formed in 2003 and consists of lead singer Kev Nish (Kevin Nishimura), Prohgress (James Roh), J-Splif (Jae Choung), and DJ Virman (Virman Coquia).

Prior to the concert, Kurt ‘Big Boy’ Alexander, an American radio host currently heard on Los Angeles Rhythmic contemporary station KPWR (Power 106), as well as numerous radio stations across the United States, opened up the event with fun antics intended to hype the crowd.

“These guys you are about to see are amazing,” said Alexander. “They are some of the nicest, most respectful people you will ever meet and they have put together something really nice for you all to see tonight!”

The three original members of the group, Nishimura, Roh and Choung, all were close companions in high school and shared a passion for music together. Their music was promoted online and performed at local clubs and events in Los Angeles. They began their musical career in 2001 with the name Emcees Anonymous but later changed the groups name to Far East Movement or FM due to a song they had created of the same name.

Far East Movement’s first taste of success came with their song ‘Round Round’, which was featured in the 2006 American street racing action film Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, and its subsequent soundtrack, video game and DVD. It was this pinch of breakout success that propelled the group towards deciding to pursue music as a full time career.

Since "Round Round", the group has been featured on various network shows including CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, Entourage, Gossip Girl, and Finishing the Game (a featured film at Sundance 2007). Their single "Like a G6" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and on iTunes as well in late October 2010. Far East Movement also has the distinction of being the first Asian-American group to earn a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

Since then, the group has not looked back, having opportunities to collaborate with various acts, ranging from Bruno Mars and Baby Bash, to Lil Rob and Wiz Khalifa. The group says that the opportunity to perform in front of the forward deployed forces is something they will always cherish.

The atmosphere at Benny Decker was like any other concert, with the group having everyone get out of their seats and coming forward to the stage to participate.

“We’re gonna say what an honor it is to be here performing for yall,” said Kev Nish after kicking off the show. “We had to be here! We’re on tour, working on a new album but, we got to say, all the amazing people out here, serving, protecting all the families…we cant tell you enough…we’re from LA…we are so grateful to be out here with yall right now! Thank you!”

Upon the conclusion of the night, members of the group could not get over the excitement of having had this chance to come to FLEACT, Yokosuka.

“I just want to say that this is really for the troops,” said J-Splif. “I just can’t say it enough. Big ups to my man Big Boy and the USO for making this a reality. Hopefully we can continue this and return in the near future.”

• Date Taken: 10.24.2013
• Date Posted: 11.01.2013 03:20
• Story ID: 116111
• Location: YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP