Dumbfoundead’s battle rap memoir ‘Spit’ is a K-town story of ciphers and survival

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Jonnie Park is known by many names. Most people recognize him as the rapper “Dumbfoundead,” a name he’s used for years as a skilled battle rapper and recording artist – he’s released an impressive 13 albums! He’s a key figure in the influential L.A. hip-hop scene, rising through the ranks with the legendary Project Blowed crew. Growing up and still living in L.A.’s Koreatown, many know him as “The Mayor of K-town,” while friends simply call him “Dumb.” Though he’s always been known for his rapping, becoming an author might seem surprising. But after years of crafting sharp and impactful lyrics, he decided to share his story in his debut memoir, “Spit,” which was released on April 14th by Third State Books.

Park’s memoir vividly recalls his life, beginning with his family’s difficult move from Argentina to Los Angeles when he was just three years old. He openly discusses the challenges of growing up Korean American in Southern California and how he navigated the hip-hop world as an outsider, eventually finding his place as a performer. These early experiences shaped his career as an actor, podcaster, comedian, and TV writer (most recently for season two of “Beef”). However, he believes he’ll always be most proud of his identity as a battle rapper.

Park recently discussed with the Times the challenges of writing his new memoir, highlighting the significance of Project Blowed and how he carried the spirit of his early, underground rap roots with him as he achieved success.

You decided to focus your memoir on the early part of your life, up to the height of your success in hip-hop. What was it like revisiting those memories and writing about that period again?

Battle rap is really at the heart of who I am. Even though I do a lot of different things now, I always consider myself a battle rapper first. It was such an important time in my life, and I carry that identity with me. It’s strange though, actually being in that competitive environment feels like a distant memory. Looking back, I’m amazed by how bold it was for a young Asian kid to be involved in that world. I really took a risk! I still have a lot of love for the battle rap scene, and I want to share its story through my other creative work – whether it’s writing for film or TV, I think there’s so much potential there.

I wanted to explain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in battle rap, going beyond just the performance aspect and delving into the technical side of the craft.

People often misunderstand how complex the world of battle rap really is. While Eminem’s “8 Mile” famously captured a moment in its history, a lot has changed since then. I wanted to show that this isn’t just about struggling artists trying to get discovered; it’s a thriving subculture with its own dedicated fans and history. This book was a chance for me to share my passion for this new era of battle rap, and to recognize the talented people I admire, including those from my early days at Project Blowed. Ultimately, I wanted to create a lasting tribute to the artists and places that mean so much to me.

I’ve always been fascinated by what’s happening in the brain during freestyle rapping. People often ask me how rappers improvise or compete, and I used to struggle to explain the process. Luckily, my co-author, Donnie Kwak – who’s been like a brother to me for years – helped me figure it out. We’ve had countless conversations about this, and it was great to finally be able to break it down in the book. I’m still really proud of the chapter explaining freestyling and battling in a simple way.

What was it like for you as you were discovering your voice through open mics at Project Blowed?

Being involved with Project Blowed was incredibly liberating. Seeing the other rappers push boundaries and create such unique styles was mind-blowing. I was used to hearing music on the radio and mixtapes, but this was different – it was a completely unfiltered and authentic form of rap. Even for a young kid like me, growing up sheltered on Third Street and suddenly finding myself in a completely new environment on 43rd, it was a shock to the system. It opened my eyes to a world I never knew existed, where people from all backgrounds – like Black kids who loved anime and punk rock – were passionately making music. It really changed how I saw everything, not just hip-hop.

You often incorporate Korean into your music and writing. What motivated you to highlight that part of your identity in both your rapping and your written work?

Being Korean American is a huge part of who I am, and I wanted to share that perspective. We often see Korea highlighted globally through things like “Squid Game” and K-Pop, but I wanted to show a more personal side, specifically as a Korean American growing up in Southern California. The Asian American experience in Los Angeles is unique – many of our parents own small businesses like wholesale shops, dry cleaners, or liquor stores. Growing up in Koreatown, I saw firsthand how many Korean families struggled with issues like alcoholism and domestic violence, and I think my story will resonate with a lot of people who’ve been through similar experiences.

I believe this story also highlights the many hardships and challenges you and your family have faced. What parts of the book were the most difficult for you to work through?

The most challenging part of writing this book was definitely exploring my relationship with my father, knowing how personal and revealing it would be for everyone to read. I included details about his affairs and the businesses he was involved in – these are real people and situations I experienced growing up. I even wrote about a family my dad had an affair with, though I haven’t spoken to them in years. I really wanted to be honest, and this felt like the right place to do it. I’m not sure if my dad will read it, but if it were ever translated into Korean, he definitely would. We don’t have a close relationship, and there’s still a lot of unresolved feelings between us. I’m hoping the book might open up a dialogue and help us find some closure. It was also difficult to write about the domestic violence I witnessed growing up, and it made me feel a lot of empathy for my mother.

Starting and finishing the book were the hardest parts. The ending especially explores my feelings of insecurity as an artist, and how I see my friends achieving great success. I wanted to be truthful about that – the book doesn’t wrap up with me feeling completely satisfied or victorious. I still struggle with these feelings, and I think that’s just a constant challenge for artists.

It’s a unique experience to go from being part of the underground rap world to performing on TV and in movies. The challenge is staying true to the values and spirit of that underground scene while also sharing your talent with a wider audience.

Being in the writer’s room for Season 2 of “Beef” – my very first one, actually – felt a bit like navigating a code. I had to learn when to speak up and contribute, and when to listen and hold back. It really showed me how much the skills I developed from freestyling and battle rap translated into real-life situations. I was able to use those same instincts in a completely different setting, and it was amazing to see how well they fit.

It’s really cool how I landed the role in “Beef” Season 2. The show’s creators loved my podcast, “Fun With Dumb,” and my take on Asian American culture. I’ve become comfortable being open and making fun of myself, something I developed through years of battle rapping. I was able to bring that same humor, honesty, and quick wit to podcasting, and it just opened up this opportunity. I’m still focused on bringing certain stories to life – stories about battle rap, the Korean community, and what it means to be Korean American. These are themes I always come back to in my work, and I want to explore them fully before moving on to new projects.

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2026-04-23 23:32