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"Ethnic" Los Angeles

Comparative Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexuality

Anne Cong-Huyen, Thania Lucero, Joyce Park, Constance Cheeks, Charlie Kim, Sophia Cole, Julio Damian Rodriguez, Andrea Mora, Jazz Kiang, Samantha Tran, Katie Nak, Authors
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Who is Dumbfoundead?

A well-known Korean American rapper, Jonathan Park, also known as Dumbfoundead was born in February 18, 1986. He grow up in the Koreatown neighborhood in Los Angeles, California.

Park’s parents emigrate from South Korea to Bueno Aires, Argentina, Park was born in Buenos Aires and relocated to Mexico with his mother and sister. After long months of hardships, they were able to settle in Los Angeles, Koreatown when Park was only three.  

At age ten, he was already exposed to hip-hop culture and began to rap and freestyle in MacArthur Park and a community center where many African American youth gather around and share their hip-hop roots, ideas, lyrics, and collaborate with one another to learn techniques. As a Korean American and an Asian American he was likely to face bias and prejudice from African American friends who pursue a career in an entertainment and music especially in hip-hop. Dumbfoundead was able to surpass his race and ethnicity and hone his skills and talents to global audiences.

Through Youtube videos of Dumbfoundead, he expanded his career with some K-pop stars such as Epik High, Wax, and Jay Park. Dumbfoundead’s music and lyrics can represent both luxury sides and ordinary sides of people who live in Ktown. His music and ideas of promoting Korean American and Asian American entertainment music will enhance perspectives on Koreans in America. 

Majority of DFD songs are:

  • Story telling of Koreatown life and everyday experiences
  • Unlike “Black Korea”, DFD lyrics have more emotional feeling
    and struggles that both Korean and non-Koreans face everyday at work, school, and
    home
  • K-Town Rebel, his lyrics and images symbolizes are against
    “model minority” stereotypes


*Dumbfoundead "Ktown Story"



 24Ktown by DFD



Are we there yet? By DFD

 



 



 

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