The Koreatown Oddity

Los Angeles-based actor, writer, and former standup comedian Dominique Purdy dons a wolf mask and creates bugged-out abstract hip-hop as the Koreatown Oddity. His raps alternate between fantasy narratives and pointed observations about daily life, often commenting on social issues. His tracks are deliberately lo-fi and trippy, and he releases almost all of his music on cassette. Along with producers such as Jeremiah Jae, Kone, and AshTreJinkins, he is a member of the New Los Angeles collective, and he has also collaborated extensively with Ras G and Mndsgn. He first began releasing tapes in 2012, and his vinyl debut was the 2014 LP 200 Tree Rings, which featured production by House Shoes, J-Swift, Giovanni Marks, and several New Los Angeles members. Also that year, Leaving Records released 5 Chuckles, KTO's first full-length collaboration with Ras G. This was followed by a second, InTheWrld, in 2016. Finna Be Past Tense, KTO's debut for Stones Throw (and second album to be released on vinyl), appeared in 2017. The album was almost entirely produced by Stones Throw-signed artist Vex Ruffin. ~ Paul Simpson