Far East Movement
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Far East Movement (stylized Far⋆East Movement and abbreviated FM) is an American electro hop quartet based in Los Angeles, California. The group formed in 2003 and consists of Kev Nish (Kevin Nishimura), who is of Japanese and Chinese descent, Prohgress (James Roh), of Korean descent, J-Splif (Jae Choung), of Korean descent and DJ Virman (Virman Coquia), of Filipino descent.[1] They put together the first multicultural live music event in Koreatown, Los Angeles to benefit a drug rehabilitation center in the community called "Movementality".[2] FM's first claim to fame was their song "Round Round" featured in the Hollywood movie, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, and its subsequent soundtrack, video game and DVD.
Since "Round Round", the group has been featured on various network shows including CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, HBO’s hit show Entourage, Gossip Girl, and Finishing the Game (a featured film at Sundance 2007).[3] They were invited to perform on Power 106's Powerhouse 2009, one of the biggest hip-hop concerts on the U.S. 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. Their single "Like a G6" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and on iTunes as well in late October 2010.[4] Far East Movement also has the distinction of being the first Asian-American group to earn a top ten hit on the Mainstream Pop charts in the United States.[5][6]
[edit] Musical career
[edit] 2003–2007: Folk Music
The three original members of Far East Movement, Kevin Nishimura (Kev Nish), James Roh (Prohgress), and Jae Choung (J-Splif), grew up in Koreatown, Los Angeles. They were close companions in high school and shared a passion for music together. Prohgress and J-Splif both attended Palisades Charter High School in Pacific Palisades, and Kev Nish attended Palos Verdes Peninsula High School in Rolling Hills Estates.[7] The trio promoted their music online and began performing at local clubs and events in Los Angeles; soon, they began their musical career with the name "Emcee's Anonymous" by 2001. However, they later changed it to Far East Movement or FM, originating from a song that they produced with the same name. In 2003, they organized an event called "Movementality" in Koreatown, LA, featuring ten different performances with all the proceeds sent to a local youth drug rehabilitation center.
Their first album called Folk Music was released in early 2006.[8] The single "Round Round" was featured in the film, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, appearing both on the self-titled soundtrack The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and video game. This critical breakout was the catalyst that cemented their decision to pursue music as a full-time career.[9] They proceeded to perform 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 called Finishing the Game, making the song "Satisfaction" for the film. They also released the single "You've Got A Friend" featuring Lil Rob and Baby Bash, which became their first song on major national radio.
They were also credited as the producers for Jin's entire fourth album called ABC that was released on February 2007.
[edit] 2008–2009: DJ Virman and Animal
LA's radio station Power 106 DJ, DJ Virman, came to the group as their official DJ. They released another single titled "Lowridin" that received heavy airplay in 2008. Soon after, they planned on showcasing a second album, releasing Animal later on in the same year. Animal featured three hit singles that frequently won national 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 chart for the Latin Rhythm Airplay, which marked their debut on the Billboard's charts.[10]
There were several collaborations on the Animal Album, including The Stereotypes, Lil Rob, Baby Bash, Bruno Mars, Wiz Khalifa, Bionik, 24/8, IZ, DB Tonik, and Jah Free.[11] Their songs from the Animal album were featured in major film and television on multiple occasions. FM's single "Girls on the Dance Floor" has been played 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 Get Him to the Greek, FOX's So You Think You Can Dance and on the 7th episode of CSI: Miami Season 8. In addition, "Dance Like Michael Jackson" was aired on ABC Family's Lincoln Heights on November 10, 2009 and on the Gossip Girl episode, "Dan de Fleurette". "I Party" was highlighted 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 attained over 5 million hits on Myspace while attracting over 1 million views on YouTube.
In 2009, they were one of the prominent acts in L.A.'s Powerhouse 106 concert with well-known artists such as 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, had teamed up with Far East Movement and helped shoot a music video for "Lowridin". In May 2009, Far East Movement joined the well-known hip hop group from Korea, Epik High, on their "Map the Soul" tour throughout the U.S. Then they held their first headlining concert at the Roxy Theater in Hollywood by July 2009, which resulted in a sold-out show. Together with Wong Fu Productions, FM has established another three sold-out "International Secret Agents" concerts titled as "ISA", hosted in San Francisco, L.A., and New York in order to promote Asian American artists in the media with performances by Quest Crew, Poreotics, Jay Park and others.
FM's new mixtape named Party Animal was released on the first date of the Party Rock Tour (featuring FM, LMFAO, Shwayze, Paradiso Girls, Space Cowboy and more). Their two singles, "Girls on the Dance Floor" and "2 is Better w/ Ya Boy", have been garnering successful radio airplay. They later announced that they are working on a new album with Grammy nominated producers, The Stereotypes, who had produced their hit track, "Girls on the Dance Floor".
[edit] 2010–present: Cherrytree/Interscope Records and Free Wired
On the cover of
KoreAm, October 2010
In February 2010, Far East Movement signed a major record deal with Cherrytree Records, a subsidiary of Interscope Records.[12] They are currently managed by Ted Chung of Stampede Management, who is also the President of Doggystyle Records.
Progressing further along in the same year, the group supported Robyn and Kelis on their double headlining tour along with Dan Black, in addition to being announced as the opening act of Lady Gaga's tour on the Japanese leg of The Monster Ball Tour.[13] Furthermore, their previous hit track, "Girls on the Dancefloor" & "Fetish", was featured in Piranha 3D, yet it was not slotted into the film's soundtrack.
Their 2010 "ISA" shows in LA and New York were held on September 5 and August 28 respectively. They performed their songs alongside acts by AJ Rafael, Jay Park, Wong Fu Productions, Poreotics and Quest Crew (both winners from America's Best Dance Crew), David Choi, Jennifer Chung, David Garibaldi, Lydia Paek, and more. Both of the shows were hosted by Lydia Paek, Kevin Wu and Ryan Higa.
From September 13 until mid-October, the group was one of the opening acts for the Up In The Air Tour with Mike Posner, which spans across various cities in North America.[13]
Free Wired is the title of their first major debut album from Cherrytree/Interscope Records and was released on October 12, 2010. The album was made available in both the U.S. and Canada. Their tracks include popular artists such as Keri Hilson, Lil Jon, Snoop Dogg (their song co-written by Bruno Mars), Mohombi, Colette Carr, Natalia Kills, Koda Kumi, and Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic.[14] Their second single to be released for airplay as a follow up to "Like A G6" is called "Rocketeer", which will exclusively feature Ryan Tedder.[15][16]
In the October 30, 2010 edition of Billboard Magazine, their single featuring The Cataracs and Dev titled "Like a G6" peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as iTunes.[4] While gathering success for both their album and single, they were featured in a series of tour dates with their Cherrytree/Interscope Record label mate, La Roux, from early November to mid-way of the month.[17]
On November 20, it was confirmed that the group had reached the double platinum status for "Like a G6", collecting two million in sales and counting.[18]
The group was awarded Best International Artist in the 2010 M.net Asian Music Awards.[19]
The group toured with Rihanna and Calvin Harris from late February to early March, as part of Rihanna's Last Girl on Earth Tour. [20] Right after the tour ended, the group began headlinging their own tour, The Free Wired World Tour. The group visited Manila, Philippines; Jakarta, Indonesia; Taipei, Taiwan; Hong Kong, Singapore, and Seoul. The tour will continue in Hamburg, Germany later this month and Bangkok in April. Starting in July, the group will be touring the UK and has also been confirmed to perform at the Barclaycard Wireless Festival on July 1 in London.
Far East Movement are set to tour with Lil Wayne on the I Am Still Music tour.[21]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
[edit] Extended plays
[edit] Mixtapes
[edit] Singles
[edit] Featured singles
[edit] Other charted songs
[edit] Music videos
Year | Video | Director |
2006 | "Smile" (featuring Ken Oak) | Todd Angkasuwan |
"Round Round" (featuring Storm) | Arowana Films |
"Western" (featuring Mike-C) | Arowana Films |
"Satisfaction" | Arowana Films |
"Holla Hey" | Todd Angkasuwan |
"Eyes Never Lie" (featuring Mary Jane) | Hosanna Wong |
2007 | "You Got a Friend" (featuring Baby Bash and Lil Rob)[55] | Todd Angkasuwan |
2008 | "Dance Like Michael Jackson" | Wong Fu Productions |
2009 | "Fetish" | Iron Brothers Entertainment |
2010 | "Girls on the Dance Floor" (featuring Stereotypes) |
|
"Like a G6" (featuring Dev & The Cataracs) | Matt Alonzo[56] |
"Rocketeer" (featuring Ryan Tedder) | Marc Klasfeld |
"2gether" (with Roger Sanchez featuring Kanobby) |
|
"2 Is Better" (featuring Natalia Kills)[57] | Guillaume Doubet |
2011 | "If I Was You (OMG)" (featuring Snoop Dogg)[58] | Guillaume Doubet |
[edit] Filmography
The group appears in Episode 3 of Natalia Kills' mini-series "Love Kills xx".
[edit] References
- ^ "Hip-hop crew Far East Movement at the King Cat Saturday". The Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2009247833_zmus22fareast.html. Retrieved 2010-09-26.
- ^ "Far East Movement: the interview (FM)". Jizo Entertainment. http://www.jizo-entertainment.com/interviews/Far_East_Movement_Interview_Hip_Hop.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
- ^ "Far East Movement". AZN Lifestyles. http://www.aznlifestyles.com/far-east-movement. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
- ^ a b http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/charts/hot-100?chartDate=2010-10-30
- ^ http://goldsea.com/Text/index.php?id=8652
- ^ http://www.earthwalkersmag.com/component/content/article/105-music-dance-and-art/431-congrats-fareast-movement-goes-platinum-first-asian-american-group-to-break-into-the-itunes-and-billboard-top-10-chart
- ^ "Far East Movement Is Moving On Up". Pacific Citizen. http://www.pacificcitizen.org/site/details/tabid/55/selectmoduleid/373/ArticleID/514/reftab/36/title/Far_East_Movement_Moving_On_Up_/Default.aspx. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
- ^ "CD Baby: Far East Movement: Folk Music". CD Baby. http://cdbaby.com/cd/fareast3. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
- ^ "L.A. Times Far East Movement Interview and Article". LA Times. 2009-12-25. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/12/far-east-movement-hits-the-dance-floor.html. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
- ^ "Top Music Charts". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=403&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Latin+Rhythm+Airplay&ci=3109580&cdi=10237965&cid=07%2F11%2F2009. Retrieved 2009-07-13. [dead link]
- ^ "Far east movement animal album". dopeusa. http://www.dopeusa.com/servlet/Detail?no=118. Retrieved 2009-05-22. [dead link]
- ^ "Far East Movement Officially Signs With Cherrytree Records (Interscope)!". MTV World & MTV Networks. http://blog.mtviggy.com/2010/02/15/far-east-movement-officially-signs-with-cherrytree-records-interscope/. Retrieved 2010-02-05.
- ^ a b "Far East Movement going on tour with Lady Gaga in Japan". Far East Movement. http://www.fareastmovement.com/st/on-tour-w-lady-gaga-in-japan/. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
- ^ "Far East Movement Interview with Hitlab". Far East Movement. http://www.hitlab.com/83362/interviews/blog/47446/3/. Retrieved 2010-09-06.
- ^ "Far East Movement Interview Complex Magazine". Complex Magazine. http://www.complex.com/blogs/2010/07/05/far-east-movement-talks-interscope-deal-and-get-him-to-the-greek/4/. Retrieved 2010-09-06.
- ^ "Far East Movement Blog Ryan Tedder". Far East Movement. http://www.fareastmovement.com/st/rocketeer-vid-preview/5/. Retrieved 2010-09-06.
- ^ "Far East Movement Tour Dates La Roux". The Round Table. http://www.theroundtableonline.com/2010/10/far-east-movement-announce-tour-dates-with-la-roux//6/. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ^ "Far East Movement Double Platinum". Interscope Records. http://www.interscope.com/artist/news/default.aspx?nid=32167&aid=1159/6/. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ^ "[MAMA 2010 Far East Movement awarded “Best International Artist” award"]. theKPOPNation. http://thekpopnation.com/blog/2010/11/28/mama-2010-far-east-movement-awarded-best-international-artist-award/. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ^ "[Far East Movement on Tour with Rihanna"]. http://www.fareastmovement.com/blog/default.aspx?nid=33140.
- ^ http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/05/far-east-movement-tapped-to-join-lil-wayne-for-summer-leg-of-i-am-still-music-tour.html
- ^ "Far East Movement Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/artist/far-east-movement/chart-history/768068?f=305&g=Albums. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "Far East Movement Album & Song Chart History: Rap Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/artist/far-east-movement/chart-history/768068?f=335&g=Albums. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "Chartifacts - Week Commencing: 14th March 2011". Australian Recording Industry Association. March 14, 2011. Archived from the original on March 15, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5xCF4IwaT. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ "Canadian Albums: Week of October 30, 2010 (Biggest Jump)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-albums?chartDate=2010-10-30&order=gainer. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "Chart Stats: Far East Movement". Chart Stats. http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=12767. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ "Folk Music". allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/album/folk-music-r1091883. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ a b "Animal". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/animal/id303539971. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "For the Folks N' Family". allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/album/for-the-folks-n-family-r1517202. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "Audio-Bio". allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/album/audio-bio-r1063996. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "Flavored Animal Droppings Mixtape". allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/album/flavored-animal-droppings-mixtape-r1354296. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "Far East Movement Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/artist/fareast-movement/chart-history/768068?f=379&g=Singles. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
- ^ "Far * East Movement in Australian Charts". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Far+*+East+Movement. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
- ^ "Far * East Movement in der Österreichischen Hitparade" (in German). austraincharts.at. Hung Medien. http://austriancharts.at/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Far+*+East+Movement. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "Far East Movement Album & Song Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/artist/far-east-movement/chart-history/768068?f=793&g=Singles. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "Discography Far * East Movement". irish-charts. Hung Medien. http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Far+*+East+Movement. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "Far * East Movement in Dutch charts". dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Far+%2A+East+Movement. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- ^ "Far * East Movement in New Zealand charts". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. http://charts.org.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Far+*+East+Movement. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
- ^ "Far * East Movement in Swedish charts". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Far+*+East+Movement. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "Far * East Movement in Swiss charts". swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. http://swisscharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Far+*+East+Movement. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ Peak positions for singles in the United Kingdom:
- ^ "Girls On the Dance Floor - Single". iTunes Store New Zealand. Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/girls-on-dance-floor-single/id365695465. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2011 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. April 30, 2011. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.auSINGLEaccreds2011.htm. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
- ^ a b "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". RadioScope. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. http://www.radioscope.net.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=77&Itemid=63. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
- ^ "Sverigetopplistan: Dev, The Cataracs & Far East Movement - Like a G6" (in Swedish) (To access certification, one must search (Sök) for "Like a G6" and click the "Visa" button.). Sverigetopplistan. Grammofonleverantörernas förening. http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/index.html. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- ^ "Search for: Far * East Movement" (in German). swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. http://www.swisscharts.com/search_certifications.asp?search=Far+*+East+Movement. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- ^ "2 Is Better (feat. Natalia Kills & Ya Boy) - Single". iTunes Store United States. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/2-is-better-feat-natalia-kills/id424045722. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ "White Flag (feat. Kayla Kai) - Single" (in German). iTunes Store Germany. Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/de/album/white-flag-feat-kayla-kai/id423486502. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
- ^ "So What? - Single" (in German). iTunes Store Germany. Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/de/album/so-what-single/id424028492. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
- ^ "Chartifacts - Week Commencing: 18th April 2011". Australian Recording Industry Association. April 18, 2011. Archived from the original on April 19, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5y3MRSqSB. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
- ^ "Chart #1772 – Monday 9 May 2011: Top 40 Singles Chart". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. May 9, 2011. http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp?chartNum=1772&chartKind=S. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
- ^ "I Came 2 Party (feat. Paradiso Girls, Far East Movement, Cinema Bizarre & Cherry Cherry Boom Boom) - Single". iTunes Store. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-came-2-party-feat-paradiso/id338395201. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
- ^ ""Do It In The AM" feat. Far East Movement Available Digitally In The US May 3rd". Interscope Records. April 21, 2011. http://www.interscope.com/artist/news/default.aspx?nid=35237&aid=1202. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ^ "Canadian Hot 100: Week of October 24, 2009 (Biggest Jump)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100?chartDate=2009-10-24&order=gainer. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "Far East Movement-You Got a Friend". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4nwsPjgnOs.
- ^ "Like A G6 Behind the Scenes". http://www.vevo.com/watch/far-east-movement/like-a-g6-behind-the-scenes/USUV71001137.
- ^ "Far East Movement's Secret Agent '2 Is Better Than 1' Shoot with Natalia Kills, Colette Carr & Frankmusik". Cherrytree. http://www.cherrytreerecords.com/profiles/blogs/far-east-movements-secret.
- ^ "Pics from "If I was You (OMG)" music video shoot". http://www.fareastmovement.com/blog/default.aspx?nid=34639.