Dumbfoundead

Ted Park

Ted Park, “I hope to bridge the gap between Korean and American Hiphop”

The Wisconsin-native started gaining popularity in 2016 following his song “Hello (Who is this),” which climbed to the top 10 on Billboard and Spotify’s Viral 50 Charts. Ted Park, garnering recognition both in the States and Korea. Park recently had a trip back to Korea, where he worked with a number of notable Korean artists. He recently made news with his signing to H1GHR MUSIC, the label started by another notable Korean-American artist, Jay Park.

We had the opportunity to chat with Ted Park about his experience as a Korean-American artist in the States, what he got up to on his trip to Korea, and what we can expect from him in the future.

The Interview

Hello! Can you introduce yourself for those who have only recently discovered you?
Wassup, my name is Ted Park from Madison, Wisconsin born and raised, NYC based. I’m an artist trying to do big things from a small city.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdaviT1nT5D/?taken-by=tedparkboi

 

How would you describe your own music style?
Vibrant, passionate, honest. And “litty” haha. A lot of melodies, and a lot of message.

 

Which is your favorite song of yours to perform live?
“Me Love” 100% haha. I love watching people in the crowd sing  “Me looooove” louder and better than me.

 

You’ve been working hard to make music since you were quite young. As your popularity has grown, have you changed your style of music?
My music has definitely changed overtime, but the popularity hasn’t changed my sound, or ever will. The sonic change has just been me developing as an artist, creative, and a young man. Trying new things every day and growing into the artist I dream to be.

 

As you’ve said in previous interviews, Kanye West is an artist who manages to make something new with every project he does and it is easy to fall into a comfort zone as an artist. What is one zone you really want to break out of?
Yeee, the thing you have to love and respect about him is having no musical boundaries and willing to take risks. If you play it safe your whole career, you’ll never know what you were fully capable of. I think I’ve been put in a zone recently as a “catchy, viral singer-rap artist” with “Me Love” and “Hello.” Which is understandable, I don’t have much music out. But with my debut project that’s coming this spring, I look forward to showing people I am capable of making timeless music.

 

Another thing I really liked that you said in a previous interview was “don’t be a hobbyist.” What do you think is the most important thing to do to turn that “hobby” or passion into your lifestyle?
As an artist you have to go all in. If you make music for the fun and love of it, I love that. But people tend to complain about the “industry” connections, not getting their [chance]… You have to create your own opportunities and your own lane. I used to get 100 views on YouTube, no coverage and had to go through failures and roadblocks time and time again before I finally started to break out. I dropped out of high school, moved to New York, used to live in a basement with random adults way older than me haha. My first show was for 15 people. Now I’m going on a major tour this spring with Dumbfoundead. This grind is time, dedication and perseverance. And understanding that whether it takes one month or 10 years, that you’re in it for the long haul.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgmKGcbHBWZ/?taken-by=tedparkboi

 

Were your family always supportive of you following a career in music? How have they had an impact on the person you are today?
At first my parents were more worried than sceptical. My Mom used to go crazy on me when I’d skip school and record in my closet hahaha. My Dad thought it was all fun and games until I called him telling him I was dropping out and pursuing it full time. He actually flew back to the States a couple days later to try and reason with me. He saw in my eyes how bad I wanted, and loved music, and he gave in. Through the ups and downs, and even before my music started popping, their love for me led them to support my dreams. And now with it actually blowing up, I’m blessed to have had them by my side even when this looked impossible.

 

Who are your biggest influencers (both musically and personally)?

  • My Mom and Dad are the most loving parents, and best friends I could ever ask for.
  • DJ Pain 1, who mentored me from when I was 14 and never stopped believing in me, musically and as a person.
  • Mikey Fresh who’s been guiding me and helping me take things to the next level.
  • My partner and my brother from another mother Saho aka Mr. Plugged In aha.
  • All my friends and collaborators, they know who they are
  • DJ Bonics, and more!

 

What do you think differentiates you from other artists?
My story and my energy. I have a lot of influence from amazing artists, but we all have our unique story to tell and our own energy and vibe we bring. Ted Park is a one of a kind personality and vision.

 

Growing up in different countries may challenge one to battle with identity issues, what advice would you give to someone who may experience this?
When I first moved to Korea in Middle School, I was lost, scared, angry and afraid. I was isolated and felt like no one cared about me or supported me. I didn’t know what to do, couldn’t speak the language, and had very few friends due to lack of communication. BUT in this time period I found my passion and love of hip-hop music, and started dreaming of it, which lead to me starting to write and record. When you look deep inside yourself, especially in the most difficult of times, you never know what you’ll find. Never put your head down, cause what you feel is a curse could end up being your biggest blessing.

 

How do you think the Korean and American music scenes compare to each other?
The energy, the passion, the hype. Hip-hop is going global. To see the energy and passion about it is amazing. Most of all, seeing it embraced by the YOUTH.

 

As hip-hop becomes more mainstream in South Korea, there is a prevalence of culture appropriation. What steps do you think Korean rappers could take to make themselves more aware?
I’ve been hit with the cultural appropriation tag as well, which I understand. We are guests in hip-hop culture, and we all need to understand that. There’s a difference between cultural appropriation and appreciation; it is our duty to study, understand, commit, and love what has been built if we want to participate and contribute.

 

Can you tell us who you’ve been working with whilst you’ve been over here in Korea?
Haha, secret for now but you’ll see on my debut project this spring

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be8eLH7nNlq/?taken-by=tedparkboi

 

Do you think you would ever move back to Korea again and try to get more into the music scene here?
I love Korea, but my heart is here in the States. I hope to bridge the gap between Korean and American hip-hop, and I know the best way for me is to become the greatest I can be here in the States. Korea, and the rest of the world will follow.

 

Did the reality of this trip meet your expectations?
It surpassed what I expected. I never try to put expectations on a trip, but 10 + major collaborations, 3 major visuals, and 5 packed out shows in 2 and a half weeks plus Mom and Dad time. I couldn’t ask for more. I couldn’t thank Cut Studio enough for bringing me out and seeing and believing in my vision. I can’t wait to share with you all.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfHaLrvn8Dc/?taken-by=tedparkboi

 

What are the things you most look forward to when you visit Korea?
The experience. Family. Music, Food, Partying haha. Wild thoughts. Learning more and more. And embracing and loving my people.

 

Can you give us details on any upcoming projects?
We’re wrapping up my debut project right now, it’s crazy. Some major features are on there, and crazy visuals. I’m blessed to have it all come together finally, I wanted my first effort to be a great one. I decided to release it independently because of all the hard work of Saho, my peers, and I put in on our OWN. The Cut will be helping move it in Korea, as they did all the visuals and helped put it together on the Korean side.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf1eiQ2nCvs/?taken-by=tedparkboi

 

Besides music, what are other things you enjoy doing? What do you do in your chill time?
Basketball, movies, partying, friends and family, meeting beautiful women hahaha. A bit of everything and experiencing new things. Also love rest and sleep when I can get it.

 

Favorite Korean snack?
Jajangmyeon. Jajang papi is in the building! I ate it 28 days straight!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgCQbn6HRAd/?taken-by=tedparkboi

 

Can you describe your personality in 3 words.
Entertaining. Passionate. Ambitious

 

One last thing, say anything. Express yourself to your fans and the world!
I would like to thank everything who’s been on this journey with me from my first song, and all the recent love and attention from new fans and followers. This goes deeper than music, this is about accomplishing your dreams step by step, even when the odds are against you and everyone is saying no. I hope I can continue to inspire and give you my 100% and the music you deserve. I can’t promise to be the next big thing, but I promise I will always be the best Ted Park I can be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLp7jxRzO1I

 

Follow Ted Park

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Interview and article written by guest writer Amy Benham
Article edited by Cy
Article formatted by Andrew

Dumbfoundead- Kill Me (cover art)

Dumbfoundead releases new single ‘Kill Me’

Shortly after releasing ‘P.A.A.C. (Protect At All Cost) earlier this week, Dumbfoundead dropped his latest single ‘Kill Me.’

Dumbfoundead writes”

“Kill me” is a track about love and hate. When you’re in love, you’re pushed to the limits, and you feel like it’s ‘killing you’. When someone falls in love, he makes himself feel emotionally, spiritually, and physically reaching the limit, feeling as if he is as dead as he is, but alive more than ever.”

Check out the official audio with the visuals below! The track is available on Spotify and Apple Music, as well as Korean music portals.

The EP ‘Rocket Man‘ drops on December 12.

‘Kill Me’ Credits:

Written by Jonathan Park, Donye`a Goodin
Produced by BrandUn DeShay

Official Audio:

Follow Dumbfoundead:

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Source: Mnet

Dumbfoundead - P.A.A.C. (cover art)

Dumbfoundead drops new single ‘P.A.A.C. (Protect At All Cost)’

Only a week after ‘Every Last Drop‘, Dumbfoundead pre-releases the single ‘P.A.A.C. (Protect At All Cost)‘ off his upcoming EP.

Dumbfoundead writes:
“In the current world we live in, it seems nobody is safe. Even the figures we’re supposed to trust in our society seem to have failed us. With corruption from government we must protect our loved ones at all cost. I wanted to make an anthem with an energy that shows that we will protect ourselves by any means necessary.”

Check out the official audio with the visuals below! The track is available on Spotify and Apple Music, as well as Korean music portals.

Meanwhile, Dumbfoundead announced that he will pre-release another track next Wednesday. ‘Rocket Man‘ is dropping on December 12.

‘P.A.A.C.’ Credits:

Written and arranged by Dumbfoundead
Produced by Autolaser
Illustration by Brian Yoon
Animation by The Sound Visuals Club

Official Audio:

Follow Dumbfoundead:

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Source: Mnet

Dumbfoundead - Foreigner (album cover)

Dumbfoundead: Foreigner EP Album Review

There’s nothing pretty or soft about Foreigner. Dumbfoundead is savage in a way that will have those with weak constitutions clutching their pearls. No one would ever accuse the artist of being anything but raw and honest. But Foreigner finds him at his most vicious and impassioned. There’s a distinct bite and snarl across these five tracks, something that’s a sharper at the edges than much that’s come out South Korea this year. He claws his way into the listener’s psyche. You must deal with him. We have no room here for the narrow- and frail-minded. There’s obviously something to going back to one’s ancestral homeland to create.

YunB - What You Want (cover art)

Respected by Paloalto: YunB releases single ‘What You Want (Feat. Dumbfoundead)’

The third episode of the Respect series features YunB who is introduced by Paloalto.

Respect‘ is a new M2 YouTube series hosted by Huckleberry P in which “South Korea’s greatest rappers” introduce rappers they respect. In the first episode, Deepflow introduced ODEE. The second episode featured MC Meta and Ban blank.

In this third episode, Paloalto of Hi-Lite Records expresses his respect for YunB who performs the self-written track ‘What You Want‘ in which he raps about his feelings and impressions after his debut. On the digital single, the track includes a featuring by Dumbfoundead. Watch the episode and read our exclusive translation of Huckleberry P and Paloalto’s interview below (click to expand)!

Meanwhile, YunB is preparing his first mini album ‘YunB’ for release in two days on June 29.

[x_button shape=”rounded” size=”regular” float=”none” href=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/what-you-want-feat-dumbfoundead-single/id1252928829?at=1001l8LW” target=”blank” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover”]’What You Want’ on iTunes[/x_button]

Credits:

Composed and arranged by YunB
Lyrics written by YunB, Dumbfoundead

[x_accordion][x_accordion_item title=”Interview Translation”]
[Intro] Paloalto: There is a lot to be learned from his music. / I think he is this generation’s new A Tribe Called Quest.
[Text] Which rappers do the greatest rappers of South Korea respect?

Huckleberry P: Hello. (laughs)
Palo: Hello. We’re seeing each other often.
Huck P: He’s my boss, this is a bit difficult … (laughs)

Huck P: How come you’re interested in DJing these days?
Palo: I do like listening to music and I listen to various genres. I often thought that it would be great if I played music and many other people enjoyed it together with me, sharing that feeling. For example, Q-Tip, who I respect in the US scene, raps and composes and does DJing. There is no rule or anything that says I can only rap, and to me hiphop is my life, so …

Huck P: What does ‘respect’ mean to you?
Palo: To me, respect among musicians is to like the others music and to value their musicality.

Huck P: As the “Master” today, who is the rapper you respect?
Palo: Thank you for considering me a “Master.”
Huck P: Of course you are! Our country’s “Master” MC. (laughs awkwardly)
Palo: Yeah, so thank you for that. This artist, I think he has all the basics down. YunB raps, does DJing, he understands the harmony between rapping and the beat and really knows how to make music. I think he is this generation’s new A Tribe Called Quest.
Huck P: Wow, that is a huge compliment!
Palo: Yes, he might feel burdened by this but I wanted to introduce him with style to many people.

Palo: Let’s listen to YunB together, the rapper I respect!
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Related Links:

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Source: Mnet