Losing And Finding Music After Brain Surgery | TOKiMONSTA

[@shaneps]

The editor or this one did an amazing job with the graphics. The integration of the guitar tab and other musical "elements" (for lack of a better word) into the visuals was great. Super nice details for those who're looking for them, and cool visuals for those who aren't!

[@pastelhotmess9299]

This. This is the meaning of getting inspired by the world around you

[@Outshined13]

Never heard of her.. but her story was nice to hear. Gotta check her out now

[@mixoh]

looks like 512 people so far had the same opinion

[@Sabrani]

I recommend TOKiMONSTA - Midnight Menu

[@HentaiLoveline]

@@Sabrani best album 10/10

[@waNErBOY]

@@Sabrani easily her best album, shes got a long discography, but midnight menu is untouchable.

[@user-hb6sb5ig6i]

I loved one song but didn't know it was a woman with moyamoya.. fascinating how I subconsciously assumed electronic music producers should be men

[@valw1733]

Amazing video! Thank you so much for bringing Jennifer Lee’s story to the attention of your subscribers. She has an incredible perspective on music that is unique and special to her!

[@jeannickqualao9733]

WOW. This is why I subscribed to great big story. Never heard of her till watching this.

[@phoenixsprite]

I came here after watching Netflix. I actually undergone the same surgery Jen went through about three weeks ago, because I have the same disease. I was actually avoiding the episode because I'm currently tone deaf. It gave me hope to hear that her hearing back. I had almost given up on music, you take so many things for granted, I look forward to listening to this song again once my hearing is 100%. I'm also grateful for her for sharing her story, our disease is not well known so this is a form of awareness. A lot of the feelings she expressed here I can identify with.

[@epochstories]

I love how she finds value in everything around her to make music. She makes music from "noises"

[@robertjazz3613]

Darkest dim is one of my favorites from her she is such a talented artist! I didn't know her story till now.

[@ridleymcnamara2273]

I was trying to download that just cause u mentioned it in your comment. It wouldn't work on the all I'm using. But the name sounds cool, Darkest Dim

[@adamadenan]

been listening to her songs for the ages but never heard her personal stories like this. Many of us have near-death experiences that maybe drive us to be more persistent than ever. So for people that never have near-death experiences, do not wait until that happens to you! Let's rock!

[@Sabbatai-Zevi]

She's been a huge inspiration for me over the years what a great piece on her

[@deedee_audie7461]

I usually don’t like electronic music but this brings out something totally different. It real and earthy and you can listen to this at a party or just on a car ride it’s truly unique 💗

[@bachnguyen7411]

Seen McGoof Odesza too!!

[@TryItWithRanch]

Green in blue is amazing too

[@NeedingNewName]

Nujabes is the best

[@deedee_audie7461]

J G K I’m not a music expert I just mean I don’t really like the whole electronic vibe, I’m more into mellow “acoustic” songs

[@jamesodeal6401]

If u want mellow guitars and shit listen to San holo's" albumn 1". Dudes a genius

[@ludwigvonn9889]

"I don't wanna live my life for anyone else" This is one of the biggest lessons for every individual to learn and it's not easy to actually accept it. I'm right now in the process of applying that to my life. Sadly she had to go through a really hard time to learn that herself. Her music isn't my pair of shoes but the story is nice and it's more motivational than any other so-called motivational speech on youtube. Wish her all the best, she's talented and pretty, sky is the limit!

[@luzmoran9536]

I saw her in the Netflix documentary Explained in the episode called “Music” where she talked a lot about how she survived the Moya Moya brain disease. She is so brave and I respect that. 👏🏻❤️

[@yz2334]

"I don't want to be making the same type of music as everyone else" well...you're not...your music is unique, and i enjoy listening to it so much

[@thelostmessenger]

As a person who listens to electronic music, the sounds are quite crisp and futuristic. As she says, she was inspired by hip hop and you can still hear the beat. Sounds like lo-fi hip hop with better music quality, and again, crispy. Beat is deep.

[@PlanetSharkFoot]

As a survivor of a life threatening illness myself, I am so inspired by this girl! When creating art is in your soul, it might take awhile to come back after recovery, but it never dies.

[@XxMeGaMaNxX03]

Been listening to her since the Midnight Menu album from back in the day. I've followed her music since that time period. I"m glad to know she's doing much better in life now. Got to see Flylo perform live. She is definitely another I would love to see at a live show one day.

[@cherishireland9194]

This was so awesome. I'm a graphic designer and a type one diabetic and I'm starting to lose my vision already at 30. I know what it's like to feel your ability to create slip away and how difficult it feels to have to wonder if you can be you after something like what you went though happens. I'm Canadian and my treatment is eye injections and they cost so much and I can't afford them and even with out health coverage I can't get covered for them because of my age. If I was older it would have been covered. At $1200 per treatment every month for up to a year, I'm still trying to create and find work to pay to keep my sight and it's so frightening. I hope you keep fighting and that your condition never takes that fight away so you keep making people fall in love with your music.

[@biomagno]

i know her since first days of 2013...and i had the pleasure to see her live in barcelona 2014...then i've heard of the sickness and now the joy to hear she's back with her majestic sound.GLAD YOU ARE BACK QUEEN!

[@kikithepupper6774]

This is so cool because I remember I first learned about her in 2012 I think, when I at a Korean dentist office and was flipping through KoreAm magazine and I was reading about how she aimedfor her dream of being a musician, and I thought wow this is a woman who is really trying to live her life and make it so I really admired it. And I listened to her music here and there ever since then. Shes an amazing lady. I didnt think I'll see her interview here on Great big story. Shes such a creative person

[@Embrio4119]

i've been listening to her for a few years, thank you so much.

[@kyto5125]

I normally not a fan of electronic but she is the one who got me in!

[@PetalsAndSkulls]

Always loved her. It's so exciting to see what she has up her sleeve & her evolution throughout the years. I wouldn't have listened to Anderson Paak if it weren't for her. I hope I have the chance to see her again & that she features many more talents. ❤

[@hessanscounty3592]

Thank you for sharing this story about this Korean-American musician. I will totally look up her music now!

[@transcendentcocreation]

I love her she’s so intellectual. Thanks for sharing your story Tokimonsta. Your truly an inspiration.

[@jonathanlafleche5984]

Last year I had the same surgery as Jennifer did, for Moyamoya disease, but only on the right side. I lost my sense of music, it's odd to explain it to people. Anything musical was suddenly gone, timbre, beat, melody, etc. The most jarring difference was the sound of men's voices. All bass that is in a man's voice was gone. Some people's voices were painful too, as in, headache triggering if a noise was too sharp. I could still hear sharp noises like alarms, bells, and unfortunately high pitched voices. Listening to a song was basically like listening to poetry and that's it. I had no idea what was happening, it took me a few days to figure out what happened. I went without music for about 3 weeks. I thought I was alone in my experience until I came across Jennifer on Netflix. I told my surgeon what happened and he had never heard about that happening. It was definitely strange. The best way I can describe it is to think about music as colour. Noises and sounds still exist in the world, my brain just couldn't piece them together into something coherent. When you watch a movie on a black and white TV, you can't see the colours but you can still see the world, and it doesn't mean the colours don't exist. I like to share my experience since it was definitely unique.

[@erkanfatih48]

Never heard of heeer even though I love soft electronic musics. Checked her out, can't stop listening to her right now. Thank you Great Big Stories...

[@hubey]

Those last few lines really pulled at my heart strings and that thing is on life support. Also love the song that was on in the background, which has also moved me in the past. Thank you Jennifer for your music and your inspiration!

[@stari.ari111]

I love this woman so much I was holding back tears by the end of this video

[@chucKieROx]

I’ve been a fan of TOKiMONSTA and GBS for years! This is the collab I didn’t know I needed. When I heard about her surgery, I was scared that she would fade away in to obscurity like indie artists do, but she just keeps turning out! What an inspiration!

[@racoonzattack]

*”I want to know that each day I live I feel fulfilled.”* - TOKiMONSTA

[@Trgn]

Been a fan of her music for a long time. She's the definition of hard work and dedication.

[@boycub]

God this is a beautiful story. Seeing other artists pull through hardship to get back to doing the thing they love is the thing that keeps me going.

[@100theDork]

She’s changing then game. I really love her approach to her craft and you can tell she appreciates it as much as you and I do. Great vid 🙃

[@EclecticRhino]

Such a moving story, totally inspired! The force is strong with TOKiMONSTA!!

[@chinochibi]

Loved this. I would like to see more long form story from you guys.

[@sid_balloney]

That was my favourite story so far this year! You are improving day by day!

[@MashiroShiina]

i didn't know she won a Grammy so proud of her I was a fan in 2011 i really loved her Album Creature Dreams back then

[@ALL_CAPS_]

Saw her 3 times in the past, each show had never disappointed.

[@MrDownRater]

Whoever edited this video is a god! Cool story. The method she is using is reminds me the movie "Berlin Calling".

[@cdluten]

Been listening to her for a few years and Rose's Thorn brought me here..had no idea about Moyamoya. All I know is thank you.. Thank you

[@epsospremium6088]

Nice. Good to see that she is *making electronic music with natural sounds.* The best creators in the electronic music were making the same effort for decades now. I think she makes her music slightly more fun and pop. Like an electronic pop-hip-hop mix for the nice vibes.

[@ridleymcnamara2273]

She's got a cool sound. I'm a sucker for good ass beats. Ok, but just wanted to ask generally...does anyone remember Stomp?

[@David2580]

whoever made the visuals at 9:15 is a pure genius

[@liquidiceyt]

Thank you Great Big Story for creating this video. Thumbs up!

[@rainpyramid8021]

“Dream chorus” and “rose’s thorn” are my all time favorite tracks. I blast those tracks during those breezy summer nights 🥰😍

[@NestlaysChaulkolateChips]

"I couldn't understand music, so there was no music anymore" that's powerful

[@frailfern]

I LOOK UP TO HER SO MUCH IM SO GLAD YALL MADE A VIDEO ON HER

[@Randomnesspat]

Tokimonsta "Put it Down" with Anderson .Paak is 🔥 and your spin on Odesza's "Fall" was just right and I love it! Please continue to make great music!

[@annasahlstrom6109]

Her music is wonderful and I wish her the best of health. Brain conditions are very scary.

[@coffeequoh5487]

This is why the creative process is always fascinating.

[@chefsloth]

As some one who has a brother who makes music, I appreciate all music creators a lot because of their hard work that they do, it might sound the same with other musicians but you have no idea how much people spend time and hard work creating their piece..

[@MarkWTK]

oh, so this is the genre of music that i liked all this while! thanks GBS and TokiMONSTA :) hope you are doing all right and loving your life

[@JGuz40]

TOKiMONSTA killed her show at the Shrine 9/14. My first ever EDM based show and I listen to her discograpgy almost daily now. If Lune Rouge gets the Grammy this weekend ill probably cry tears of joy. Keep killing it Jen 🖤🖤🖤

[@Daisy-zr3qm]

She got me hooked when she brought up old school hip hop 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@andyhew]

Thanks GBS for this interview, I've always loved this hip-hop/electric genre.

[@LaryDiDone]

This video is perfect! TOKiMONSTA is an incredible artist.

[@DougJK]

This isn’t my type of music but I love her creativity

[@shredmaster2000]

Now I know if I see an adult walking around hitting stuff and playing with rocks that they're a music producer Love tokimonsta btw, great vid!

[@audderpop270]

I've been a fan of her music since her first album. I never knew she struggled with this disease. Glad to hear she's doing better and still making awesome music!

[@Mister_MasterzRN]

I lovvvvvve her voice!! Darkest Dim- My favorite song from her.

[@mflowers2755]

Gavin Turek are the vocals in that song. I saw them perform together at SF. One of my favorites also!

[@Zaekk]

She seems a lot more chill than she was on the tester.

[@diana-alexandrai.5809]

I'm happy to know about her ! Astonishing.

[@julhearts123]

LOOOOOOOOVE the music! Even greater story! Thank you Great Big Story. Will look her up now.

[@melanie-cu6mi]

MY QUEEN I LOVE HER AND THANK YOU SO MUCH GBS FOR MAKING A VIDEO ON HER AHHH

[@nat75kemp]

Roses thorn 👌🎶 the most tranquil beauty for the soul, what a track, so great to understand your explanations around this track, superb music 🎧😊

[@benjaminmiller936]

Been loving her music for years. Didn't know this about her. Great piece. Also, she is beautiful. But more importantly her music and strength of character makes her a total badass

[@Lampey22]

I am a HUGE fan! I adore her and her art a lot and seeing this video was the best thing ever happened to me today

[@dakronikles]

I'm so happy you're back to 100% love u so much toki!

[@jetboi08]

Lookup "Little Pleasures" and "Gamble" by TOKiMONSTA. There are many other good songs but these are some of my favorites from her.

[@TobagoGas]

Do you know what song is playing at the start of the video, around @1:00?

[@marca4585]

TobagoGas song is called Rogue but highly suggest listening to Lune first and make sure you have Rogue next song playing right after. 👌🏽

[@marca4585]

Gamble and most esp The World is Ours, hits home for me

[@unit333angel]

WOW. This documentary so well done ~ you guys really put it all together so welll and told her story so perfectly!!!!

[@lorddalloway6477]

Thanks for introducing her music to me, it's always nice to discover great artists!

[@ericagoogle4320]

i'm a full time dance kid, now at home with a partially dislocation knee injury, while everyone else dances in school. I think I understand the philosophy of wanting to live for yourself and not others.

[@AnanyaShetty_]

Love the way this episode is made. The editing and all the effects are beautiful!

[@InfiniteGenresOfMusic]

I aint even know she went through all of that. The first time I heard Tokimonsta was about 6 years ago when she remixed Freakin You by Jodeci. Glad to hear she's fine and doing great.

[@vicarius6018]

You inspire me, thank you TOKiMONSTA. You truly are an extraordinary human being. May the Universe bestow you with superior bliss for eternity :)

[@SuperSmellyBob]

I'm so grateful of knowing her music all the way back to "Go With It" from 2013. That was the song that made me fall in love with her unique style. It makes me so happy that she's growing as an artist and her story makes me double think the way I'm living mine. People like you are the 'heroes' that young generations should be looking up to, unlike these pill popping rappers of today.

[@hypnofrogdevotee]

Hey, could you tell me what's the name of the song @ 0:58

[@SuperSmellyBob]

@@hypnofrogdevotee TOKiMONSTA - Rouge Enjoy man!

[@smollsquishytaeil]

I'm sorry that you went through that. As someone who really feels passionate about something great then amazing.

[@kikigood7567]

I love her so much! So blessed to have met her and dance to her sets she's such a true heart

[@cristaniancatembung1160]

I love her live sets! So talented, this lady DJ!

[@DFTNSHEXGRM]

I'm a huge fan of her music, but I've seen her live twice and both times she just panders to the crowd and plays stuff that sounds nothing like her album material.. like remixes of beyonce and shit. Was very let down

[@tbmb3037]

@@DFTNSHEXGRM Her Lune Rouge album tour played a lot of original material didn't it? I mean maybe I'm wrong about that but I remember the show being pretty great from start to finish.

[@hypnofrogdevotee]

Could you help me with he name of the song @0:58

[@richardnguyen8042]

Saw her in December and she absolutely killed it!!!

[@nefariousmarak5922]

I always respect artists like her. It is sad artists doing the same old thing are much more popular and common is more attractive to people than unique. First time I came across her style I'm gonna check her out

[@RayMak]

Very very smart girl

[@RayMak]

@JIM JONES I'm a ding dong bro

[@RayMak]

@JIM JONES hehe. Ok, jokes aside, how can I help you bro =) hugs

[@saf1999]

Absolutely incredible. I love EDM and this story of perseverance is next level!

[@grethevictorbravo6836]

Shes really cool! I love her! Tokimonsta is blessed to recover after her brain surgery

[@hanshw]

She's an inspiration. Love her ♥️

[@arvinsim]

I heard about her in the Song Exploder podcast. She will be also playing in the city I am in this month. Now I was recommended this video by YT!

[@RmaNYouTube]

wooow, now I have soooooooooo much more respect for this woman !!!

[@lunaluna6474]

Her songs give me head to toe chills. Such insanely amazing music ❤️

[@janebacon6047]

This is art, I'm crying

[@lopinionista9788]

For a musician not understanding music anymore should be devastating. I am very happy that she's recovered and keeps making music.

[@bungalo5928]

Enough people have said it already but this is epic, ive seen you live but didnt know all this about you. So epic and inspiring to go for it and make music. Lets go

[@jkflorida]

Tokimonsta "Go with it" one of the best songs of all time!

[@pomeroytv895]

I'm so happy that you're here.

[@sillynillybean]

YEEESSS IVE BEEN LISTENING TO HER FOR YEARRSS MY QUEEN DESERVES THIS SPOTLIGHT

[@lisam8105]

You didn't read your stereotype manual, you forgot the "Yes Queen slaaayy" part.

[@sillynillybean]

Lisa M ew shut up lmao

[@TheLaptop12]

huge respect to every brainfeeder member

[@grazryan]

I’m loving tokimonsta already

[@GodzillaofTokyo]

Wow I just found a new musician to follow. Wildly impressed by the music and the process.

[@jetboi08]

TOKiMONSTA is a legend in my book.

[@HSHighlightShorts]

I freaking love her I saw the title and cracked my phone screen clicking as fast as I did to watch it

[@RaptorFaceRumble]

I found her AGES ago and I've loved her since.