On October 12, 2010.  It will be a momentous occasion.  Far East Movement will drop their first MAJOR LABEL album that day (#FREEWIRED).  It is a huge day for not just them but everyone.  This is a Asian-American Hip Hop group with a single that is blazing the Billboards Chart & dropping a album while its HOT!  And for myself its a beautiful thing to see guys that you truly refer to as big brothers achieve a dream that they’ve been working so hard for.

Its a crazy trip to see the guys that have  played such a huge influence of my life this past 5 years, go out and capture their dreams.  They’re the reason why I do what I do.  They’re the reason I have the guts to say fuck the system, and really do WHAT I WANT TO DO, to really go against the grain.  And to see that its all paying off, I’m so happy for them.

This is my story of how I met these guys.  It all started on this website called AznRaps.com.  I was messaging back & forth w/ this rapper from LA on this page for a while (who would later be known as Kev Nish), I had just started throwing these college club events by myself at the WORLD FAMOUS CENTURY CLUB (RIP).  I decided to book these guys named Far*East Movement, who had a A+ on one of their tracks on the AznRaps page.  I really didn’t think much of them because I thought the track was dope, but it was a bit underground and I was afraid it wouldn’t bold well in the CLUB atmosphere.


(The first night I met these guys at the WORLD FAMOUS CENTURY CLUB)

That first night when I met them, I knew there was something special about these guys.  They were WAY too NICE.  Lol.  Right away they gave me a free copy of their mixtape and thanked me for booking them.  After running around the night, it was their time to go up.  Man, I was blown away.  I’ve never seen a hip hop act take control of a crowd like that before.   I was instantly a fan.  Made them sign a mixtape for me and told them I would keep it forever.


(Circa 2005)

A year later after I hooked up w/ Carl to start doing 18+ parties with him, I slowly integrated into part of the “FM Marketing team”.  I thought it was the coolest thing ever.  All my friends & classmates thought I was crazy, that I was promoting these “asian beastie boys”.  The thing is that the guys made me feel like such a part of them, I always just thought of it more of my FRIENDS DOING MUSIC, and me believing in them so just helping on what I could.   Those next couple years (my early 20’s)  a lot of my “industry education” was from these guys.  From fashion, marketing, to music, and to even food. (I’ve never eaten Korean BBQ or even hung out in KTOWN till these guys brought me out to these places).  They were really the big brothers I’ve never had.

(My first cameo in a Fareast Movement Music Video!)
Kev was the big brother that always had the heart to heart talks with me.  Lectures me about real life stuff, and always  supporting me on everything I do.  He really pushed me towards the things I’ve wanted to do but was too scared to go after.  I always say I have an ear for good music because of this guy.  James was the asshole big brother, that always picked on me.  He did it out of love of course, and I was always scared of disappointing this guy, because when he’s disappointed in you, its a horrible feeling.  James is fun to go out with because, he always makes sure everyone around him is having a good time. (also James bought me MOTREES.COM as a early birthday present lol.)  Jae was that quiet older brother that I knew always had my back when shit popped off.  I” always remember when he had my back in France for cannes, when he went off on those frenchmen lol.  Also he is one of the reasons why Dwayne Fade, i mean Wade is one of my favorite basketball players too.  Virman, Thank you for believing in me and taking a chance on me and letting me HOST that radio show in your store in LONG BEACH.  That was an amazing opportunity and I’m forever grateful!

(A year later after Century Club, I booked you guys at LEVEL3 for the Tri-Party.  The night that everyone got kicked out at 12:30 lol.  If you noticed, I’m in the back begging the manager to let you guys finish your set.  He is yelling at me. lol)
Thank you guys for being such a big part of my life.  Thank you for believing in me.  Thank you for inspiring me & thousands of other kids.  No matter what happens the next couple years you guys have made such a big impact on the world.  You guys made HISTORY!  I’ll always remember the random trips.  The times sitting in the car w/ Kev talking about music and what would be a good sound, and constantly begging him to send me that never released “On the Bus track” (Imagine Dirty South meets FM).  Vegas the week after VMA2008? and talking about how you guys are gonna get there one day (VMA2010 it happened!).  And whenever a milestone came by (FF3 soundtrack, You’ve got a friend, Sundance, GODTF, etc), the motto was always : “We’re still going higher, NO CEILINGS”.  I wish I was going to be in NY at TIMESQUARE with you guys celebrating the launch of what I think is going to be an AMAZING ALBUM.

Roof top in San Diego!
Merch Booth!
MTV CHI ROCKS.

A video capturing their first time on the radio (Power106)

So to sum it all up.
OCTOBER 12, 2010.  IT IS A HUGE HUGE MOMENTOUS OCCASION.  NOT JUST FOR FAREAST MOVEMENT.  NOT JUST FOR ASIAN-AMERICANS.  BUT JUST FOR DREAMERS.  FOR PEOPLE GOING OUT THERE, PUTTING IN WORK TO ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.  FAR*EAST MOVEMENT IS INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF TALENT & THEY ARE KICKING DOWN DOORS FOR HARD WORKING INDEPENDENT TALENT THAT BUILT THEIR OWN FANBASE.   SO IF YOU ARE A ASPIRING ARTIST, SOMEONE WHO IS ROCKIN’ THAT UNCONVENTIONAL PATH, THE ROAD LESS TAKENED. GO OUT & PURCHASE THE “FREEWIRED” ALBUM. ++ I WILL BE PURCHASING 10 COPIES MYSELF!  LETS MAKE A SPLASH ON THE BILLBOARD CHARTS!

P.S.  I still got that mixtape cover, ebay?  I mean its like a basketball players rookie card right? lol (A SUPPORTER FROM DAY1 & NEVER STOPPED BELIEVIN’)

Dope.  A couple of my friends (3-peat) just put out this dope mixtape while they were hanging out in LA (They’re from Seattle).  Dope to see the guys on the grind.  The mixtape is called “Escape to LA” you can stream it for free right here. (http://mcdone.bandcamp.com/album/3peat-escape-to-la-mixtape)

3-Peat consist of these three asian dudes from Seattle (D-one, Inglish, Noah).

check out this dope video that pretty much spits you knowledge about  all the artists/entertainers that are of asian ethnicities.

and heres a video of them shouting out “the sgv”

I heard about and met PK through the Far East Movement guys. I heard he was the guy that hosted & started Kollaboration. The Korean Comedian dude from the Laugh Factory. I had the chance to interview him on a shortrunned but super awesome radio show hosted by yours truly and DJ BUTCH & DJ JOJO.(The show was called Hangover Sundays).

He was all about giving to the community, and just goodhearted. Super funny guy, couldn’t stop laughing while interviewing him. Well recently he did a show at the Laugh Factory with the homies Just Kidding Films. I attended this show and threw back a couple of pineapplevodkas. (i dont care what ya’ll say…that is a damn good drink)

So he just recently uploaded these awesome videos from that show, and I really really enjoyed it, and I think you guys all will to, so check it out!

If you want to finish it just head over to PK’s Channel on youtube & subscribe

http://www.youtube.com/user/ChannelPKtown

Watch the first video first.  If you have no patience just skip halfway to the brother part.  But you should just watch the whole video.

Now heres the remix. ENjoy

Yo Yo.

This Friday my company TOPSHELF is doing a special event at CRIMSON NIGHTCLUB!  Along with our sister company the House of Glam, the awesome people at FOREIGN FAMILY & THE ATTIC.  We are releasing a special COLLABO SHIRT designed by Mr44.  We will be selling this shirt on our website (http://www.whoistopshelf.com) on Friday.   Its a fun little event and we have a SPECIAL GUEST dropping by named Justin Chon who has appeared in various movies & tv shows.

I am pretty psyched about this shirt release!  This will be a LIMITED EDITION SHIRT!  I would suggest purchasing it ASAP HOMIE

ALSO its hella DOPE that MR.44 REMIXXED BY TOPSHELF LOGO and make it helllllllllla FRESHHHH.

I hope to see ya’ll out FRIDAY & hopefully I can give a couple free tshirts away

email me tomngo@whoistopshelf.com if you are interested in getting a shirt straight from me or you want to roll out to CRIMSON that FRIDAY!

(unprivated : i made this private a couple weeks back, because i thought it was too personal, but i’m putting it back up again.  For how long? I don’t know)

Date : May 2, 2010 @15:06

Most of my blog has been a lot of pictures.  This is going to be super wordy.  Lol You don’t need to read it.  This is more of a birthday wrapup for myself.

I was reading a couple of my old blog post from several old blogs that I had up.  Lol.  Its crazy how time flies, and how much change.  Even reading things from a year ago, and pictures from a year ago, my mind state & focus has definitely changed.  (Plus my face is not as fat.)

I think through out the majority of my life, I’ve always kind of been on cruise control, cuz I honestly felt like shit wasn’t that hard.  I think I really stopped trying hard around 9th grade, when I got caught up with the ever dangerous system we call high school popularity.  I was handed my first loss in school politics and everything changed (from 5th grade to 8th grade I was every school position possible, I think I even created my elementary school’s first newspaper.  I blame Zack Morris & the Saved By the bell bunch, they were in EVERY possible extra-curricular activity possible.)  I pretty much did whatever I wanted, when I wanted.  I kind of just charmed my way through High School.  I would ditch classes, and make friends w/ the attendance office ladies, so I would never be marked absence.  I made deals with my teachers so I could pass classes (IE:  For a chemistry class, my grade was 32 percent near finals time.  I convinced my teacher to give me a B in the class if I scored a 90% on the final exam. I crammed and got a 92%).

The story really starts when I turned 18.  I still had the same mentality, and thought I was invincible (I thought I was Zack Morris.)  When I turned 18 I thought I was ready to take on the world.  Boy, was I wrong lol.  Thats when life really changed for me though.  A big reality check.   Everything started changing then.  Not overnight, it was a process.

6 years has past since then.

(in sorta chronological order)
I got locked up.  I pledged a fraternity, and eventually became a pledge dad of the fraternity.  I started promoting clubs and throwing my own parties to make money.  I got accepted into a college that I’ve been wanting to go ever since highschool, but due to financial reasons I wasn’t able to attend.  I was in a 4 year loving relationship with a awesome person.  I got to travel to China with Jin the Emcee while he was on tour.  I worked at several internet companies.  I help jumpstart my own promotion company (PartytilAm.com).  I went through my first real breakup.  I help create a concert platform for Asian-American Artists (International Secret Agents) I played a part in FAR*EAST MOVEMENT getting signed to Interscope Records.

Now.

I’m a 25 year old entrepreneur working at Plan C as the Branding/Marketing Manager.

I’m not really sure where the wind is going to take me in the next 6 years.  I’m not sure what I’m going to accomplish, or where I’m going to fail at.

I know one thing though, and I’ve always said it.  I’ve been blessed to be around really great people.  The people around me that have helped molded me to become a better person.  I thank you very much for putting up with my immaturity and irresponsibility.

So here comes the anonymous thank yous.  If you think you’ve affected my life somehow, most likely I’ve written about you   (i have not included my mom/dad on purpose, but fyi i love them a lot. lol)

BROTHERS (this is not anonymous) -  The two of you guys are definitely my favorite guys in the world.  I’ve been blessed to have two great understanding brothers that doesn’t see their older brother for his faults.  I can’t stress how much I love you guys.  We’ve been through some tough times as a family, and as much as those times sucked it has made us that much closer and much more appreciative of all the things we have.   I promise no matter what I’ll always have your back.

-  I’m glad we squashed everything.  I always say we’re made of the same type of stuff, because me and you are always willing to bite the bullet when times get tough.  Although from time to time we’re off doing our own things in life,  I always know that when we catch up, its like no time has really passed at all. RH

-  You understood me when no one else did.  I learned a lot about myself spending time with you.  You are a big reason why I’m a better and happier person then who I was before. You were the one constant good thing in my life when nothing else was going right. ST

-  Its freaky how similar we are.  Thank you for sharing your stories and experiences with me, and making me feel sane knowing that there are people like me out there and that I’m not a lone. CC

- I’m always going to give you credit for getting me accepted into USC.  This is easy because I always give you credit for this. LOL.  Its a huge deal for me, even though I didn’t get to finish there, Its great knowing what I can do when I put my mind to it. You’ll always be a inspiration to me in the things you do.  CM

-  Thanks for getting me through that rocky year.  For being the ears when I didn’t trust anyone else to listen to my problems.   Thanks for showing me how to have a good time and party hard.  I appreciate all the times you’ve taken care of me when I needed it.  JWDKWVEC

-  I’m glad I go to know you.  We’ve always been friends but the past year and a half, your friendship has definitely meant a ton.  Those long chill sessions when both of us can’t sleep, so we go out to hang around in the hooood are one of my favorite past times. CL

-  You’re a interesting person.  I’ve become a much more confident person because of you.  I’ve definitely been more focused because of you.  I think you’re too hard on yourself sometimes, and you’re borderline self-destructive.  Stop worrying about everyone else, and just be happy.  I still feel like I’m going to be a big part of your life, as you are mine.  JK

-  i always got your back, because you provided me w/ the hustle and taught me how to hustle. MC

- I’m proud of ya’ll.  thank you so much for being sucha big part of my life. Ya’ll a continuing inspiration for me. Its rough yall not around anymore, but I know you guys are always looking out for me.  FM

thats all.

That was long. Lol. No more of these.

Hahah lol credit goes to Wendy Kao

Vidcon was dope! Thanks to all the peeps for showing me around and showing me a good time in your world. Hahah.  We did a bit of partying Thurs Night, and Friday headed off to Dimsum in Monterey Park.

Then Me and Kev stopped by the Wong Fu Boys Office! My first time being there and I had to take some flicks!

Kevjumba & Philip Wang viewing some FUNEMPLOYED BUSINESS

Then back to Vidcon ++ Back just in time for Kev’s meet & greet.

Headed upstairs & here is Dominic aka Dtrix from Questcrew & Ryan Higa modeling.

Picture fun w/ Arden

Mr. Sam Hart you may know him from the Mario Kart Love Song.

Ustreaming.

Gettin’ ready to head downstairs!

Korean BBQ & arden is cookinnnn!

Handclap for the cook!

Yummy

till next time.

Cheers,

Neezy

Updates on my life.

Estelle has passed away. (My laptop).  Luckily we saved its memory, and I am going to get myself a new laptop.  Estelle will be reborn in a new light.  Possibly heading to the darkside.

I saved all my stuff. Thank God for modern Technology.  So here weeee go.

I went to K-1 Speed Racing.  Got these tickets for cheap & definitely wanted to try this out.

Competitive at senseless competitions.

Saturday I stopped by the homies Chriselle & Michelle Phan’s event.  They did a makeover event w/ Chrisselle Inc & Forever 21, where they made over 3 random fans.  They got a full makeup setup from Lancome SpokesModel & the homie Michelle Phan.  Got styled by the super fashionista Chrisselle Lim.  I only took 2 pictures from this shoot. (yes and 1 of them is actually of the food spread they had out.  Super healthy USA)

After that a great night out w/ the boys & some of my friends return back to America! Karoake after a long fun night at Industry!

I like eating .  I eat w/ my friends.  Got a new series of blog entries coming soon. Heres a preview of what its gonna be like.


Oinkster + The homie MAK took me and CMAO out to this place. –> Notice the Slow Fast Food sign

bomb diggity pastrami


A couple days later, I was working some late hours in my office.  jennwang (ladyliberty) came by to say wassup and visit me in my office

Then WhatsupWally (orisue) drops by and we all start chattin, and the talks of a pizza party comes up.  Once upon a time when me and wally were at AVALON he took me to this pizza joint called Mr PIZZA (No Not the korean one) on fairfax, which is one of my favorite place to get a slice.  Well, I remembered that they delivered and brought up that we should try to get some pizza from there.  Ring Ring. Delivery is available. Woot!


Aaron drops by also to join the party

Pizza Party ——Saucy

Packing up & Gettin’ Ready to leave.


Lil Tokyo @ Spitz w/ Yuki

FarBar — for the Lakers / Boston  Game 7

Echo (TOPSHELF)

Gabe (CGN)

“stop taking pictures!”

Happy at a laker victory!


Some EH EH Thai Joint that Sue suggested.  It was weak.



The youngest brother is out of highschool. Congrats!


Best Regards,

Tom D. Ngo