Dominique Purdy (born 1984), better known by his stage name The Koreatown Oddity, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, writer, and former stand-up comedian from Koreatown, Los Angeles, California.

The Koreatown Oddity
Birth nameDominique Purdy
Also known as
  • Koreatown Oddity
  • KTO
Born1984 (age 39–40)
Koreatown, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupations
Years active2012–present
Labels
  • New Los Angeles
  • Strictly Cassette
  • Architects and Heroes
  • Leaving
  • Stones Throw
Websitethekoreatownoddity.bandcamp.com

Early life

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Purdy was born Dominique Purdy[3] in 1984.[4] He is originally from Koreatown, Los Angeles, California.[5] He was raised by his mother, who introduced him to hip hop music.[6] His parents never married and his father lived in Compton, California.[6] While in high school, he performed at the Laugh Factory comedy club at night.[7]

Career

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Purdy started releasing his music in 2012.[8] In 2014, he released a studio album, 200 Tree Rings, on New Los Angeles.[9] In 2014, he released a collaborative album with Ras G, titled 5 Chuckles.[10] LA Weekly included him on the "15 L.A. Bands to Watch in 2015" list.[11] In 2015, he released a collaborative album with Mndsgn, titled Vivians.[12] In 2016, he released another collaborative album with Ras G, titled 5 Chuckles: In the Wrld.[13] In 2017, he released a studio album, Finna Be Past Tense, on Stones Throw Records.[6] In 2020, he released a studio album, Little Dominiques Nosebleed, on Stones Throw Records.[14] It received favorable reviews from AllMusic[15] and Pitchfork.[1] Complex included him on the "Best New Artists of the Month" list in June 2020.[16] In 2022, he released a studio album, Isthisforreal?, on Stones Throw Records.[17]

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • No Health Insurance (2013)
  • 200 Tree Rings (2014)
  • 5 Chuckles (2014) (with Ras G)
  • Vivians (2015) (with Mndsgn, as Vivians)
  • 5 Chuckles: In the Wrld (2016) (with Ras G)
  • Finna Be Past Tense (2017)
  • Little Dominiques Nosebleed (2020)
  • ISTHISFORREAL? (2022)

Mixtapes

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  • Eat a Dead Goat (2012)
  • Buzzmixers Revenge (2012)
  • Pops 45s (2012)
  • Exit the Dragon's Mouth (2013)
  • Snake Sheddings (2014)
  • Off with the Horse (2015)
  • Ram Be Gone (2016)
  • A Monkey's Death (2017)
  • A Beat at the Table (2018)
  • Rooster (2018)
  • That's a No from Me Dog (2019)
  • When Pigs Fly (2020)
  • Trapped Rats (2022)
  • TIGER/OX (2024)
  • Wabbit Season (2024)

Singles

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  • "Breastmilk" (2021)
  • "Aggro Crag" (2022)
  • "Misophonia Love" (2022)

Filmography

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Feature films

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Kearse, Stephen (June 23, 2020). "The Koreatown Oddity: Little Dominiques Nosebleed". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Walker, Sophie (April 15, 2020). "The Koreatown Oddity Invites You To Get Out Of Your Head With 'Weed In L.A.'". Clash. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  3. ^ "Podcast 649: The Koreatown Oddity". XLR8R. June 23, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  4. ^ Simpson, Paul. "The Koreatown Oddity - Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  5. ^ Hermann, Andy (June 16, 2014). "The Koreatown Oddity Was Caught Driving While Black". LA Weekly. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c Jones, Tracy (February 17, 2017). "If a Man in a Wolf Mask Starts Rapping at You, Don't Worry — It's Just The Koreatown Oddity". LA Weekly. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  7. ^ Benson, Kristina (June 10, 2014). "The Koreatown Oddity: Walk Around Normal (page 1 of 2)". L.A. Record. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  8. ^ Simpson, Paul. "Finna Be Past Tense - The Koreatown Oddity". AllMusic. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  9. ^ Martins, Chris (June 6, 2014). "Wolf-Masked MC Called the Koreatown Oddity Will Save Us From Wackness". Spin. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  10. ^ "Ras G and Koreatown Oddity's new cassette comes in a backwoods blunt pouch". Fact. November 29, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  11. ^ Hermann, Andy (January 6, 2015). "15 L.A. Bands to Watch in 2015". LA Weekly. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  12. ^ Suarez, Gary (September 27, 2016). "Full Clip: September's Hip Hop Albums Reviewed by Gary Suarez". The Quietus. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  13. ^ Suarez, Gary (December 19, 2016). "Full Clip: The Best Hip Hop Of 2016 With Gary Suarez". The Quietus. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  14. ^ Rugoff, Lazlo (May 28, 2020). "Stones Throw announces The Koreatown Oddity's new album". The Vinyl Factory. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  15. ^ Simpson, Paul. "Little Dominiques Nosebleed - The Koreatown Oddity". AllMusic. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  16. ^ Moore, Jacob; Gardner, Alex (June 29, 2020). "Best New Artists of the Month (June): The Koreatown Oddity". Complex. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  17. ^ "ISTHISFORREAL? by The Koreatown Oddity". Metacritic. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
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