Two of the original hip-hop musicians who formed Far East Movement are Kev Nish (Kevin Nishimura) and Prohgress (James Roh). They were school friends, and their musical collaboration was cemented in 2003 by the Far East Movement name.
They were both born a couple days apart in January of 1984, grew up near Downtown LA, and as they like to say, "repre K-Town". I'd say that 1984 was when I probably wasn't going to "Asian dances" any longer, or I was attending few and far between.
I appreciate Far East Movement due to the strides they have made to break through the bamboo ceiling. With their number one hit "Like a G6" in 2010, they're the first Asian American group to have a number one on Billboard. Despite touring with Lady Gaga, Rihanna and others, their Asian faces still impeded their cred (seen as too Asian, or labeled K-Pop at first impression).
Now's a good time to draw a bit of comparison between them and the jazz fusion band Hiroshima. They are both the only Asian American bands to hit the mainstream. They're both L.A. bred, yet both their band names harken back to ...well, the Far East, away from L.A.
I was pleased to view on YouTube one of the official videos for "Bang It to the Curb" that it was filmed at the Elks Club!!! Now called the MacArthur, this elegant 1924 building is currently a private venue for events and filming only. If Far East Movement reads this - do you know the pleasing irony of you guys filming here?? This was our hangout in the 1970s - Asian dances, cruising, scoping out the guys and the girls, me with a drink in hand feeling very sophisticated.
Find out what Kev Nish and Prohgress are all about at Not Your Average part one interview and Not Your Average part two interview.
