Sydney+Chung+-+Dumbfoundead

=Dumbfoundead= Name: Jonathan Park Korean name:박성만

Are We There Yet
toc Momma had a dream, but she gave it up for me And my sister raising kids, man that ain’t a cup of tea Now she ain’t have no cheese, but took us to Chuck E. Cheese Somewhat of a G, living life so sucka free Told her what I want to be, she was cooler than the breeze (5) Supported it as a beam, cause I knew she had believed If it were up to me, she'd be treated like a queen The life of luxury, filled with shiny pretty things Now I was only three when she brought me to the States My sister only one, crossing borders wasn’t safe (10) What she did was very brave, I think about it everyday From Argentina to Mexico, and finally LA Yes, she made it really far, someone give her an applause Got herself a job, an apartment and a car But the struggle isn’t over so I keep doing my part (15) Straight spittin’ out them bars that’ll get us to the stars

Tell me momma, are we there yet? Tell me momma, are we there yet? Tell me momma, are we there yet? (20) Tell me momma, are we there yet?

Shorty was a ten, she was chillin’ with her friends I was trying to be smooth, but I couldn’t pretend So I walked up with a brew, table napkin and a pen (25) Told her we should do something, call me when you can Man, after two dates, I got her back at my place She made the bed shake and my heart beat race Yeah, we were moving fast but either one of us cared Seducin’ me with that ass, where really wasn’t fair (30) Is this just good sex or is it something that’s rare Feelings do intersect, when you choke and pull hair Are we two single people, or have we become a pair And to tell you the truth girl, I ain’t ready for that dare But I saw it in her eyes, she was falling in deep (35) I barely know you and you barely know me These are common road rules, we should take it slowly So before you use words like ‘Love’, just let me speak

Tell me baby, are we there yet? (40) Tell me baby, are we there yet? Tell me baby, are we there yet? Tell me baby, are we there yet?

At the age of fifteen, I was rockin’ open mics (45) Killing the LA scene, like a scene in Poltergeist Young freestyle king, street battlin’ left and right I was quite mean, yeah I thought the kill was nice I made it my career at the age of seventeen Now almost every year, I travel the seven seas (50) Respected by my peers, and all of the OGs Got fans around the world, they be cheering fo’ me When I wake up every morning, man I wonder if it’s real Look at what I worked for, everything I built When I really think about it, it be giving me the chills (55) Cause I’m eating off my music, man I’m paying all my bills I think I made it y’all, I don’t need a f*ckin’ deal What the hell am I saying, man I gotta check myself That’s for real, cause when things are going well I get gassed up That’s when I look into the mirror and I ask… (60)

Tell me brother, are you there yet? Young brother, are you there yet? Tell me brother, are you there yet? Keep it moving, we ain’t there yet (65)

Are We There Yet

Known for rapping about his personal experiences though rhyme, Dumbfoundead relives his 25 years of life through “Are We There Yet,” a four minute narrative rap that weaves a tale from his arrival to the United States, to a love affair, and finally to his rap career and ascent. An immediate smash hit with his fanclub, “Are We There Yet” differentiated itself from other raps through its sincerity and focus on self-experience rather than the typical audience-driven raps about sex, money, and popularity. The rap is written in first-person with a constant series of assonance to help with the rhyming, while the chorus rhetorically asks in second-person to keep Dumbfoundead grounded in reality.

Dumbfoundead dedicates his first verse to his family, specifically his mother, who separated from her husband to relocate to Koreatown, Los Angeles in the hopes of obtaining a better future for her children. Working most of her day juggling several jobs, Dumb’s mother rarely had time to spend with her children but still managed to provide them with a solid educational basis and freethinking attitude. In the third line (“Now she ain’t have no cheese, but took us to Chuck E. Cheese”), Dumb indicates that although his mother was financially unstable, she treated her children before herself, which enabled her children to be free-spirited in their aspirations. Although Dumb grew up as the stereotypical Asian nerd, when he told his mother his goal of becoming a rapper, she accepted it because it was Dumb’s passion. The sixth, seventh, and eighth lines show Dumb’s devotion and appreciation for what his mother did for him; in choosing to be a rapper, he wants to provide her with the opportunity for a lifestyle of abundance. The ninth line changes pace as Dumb reveals how his mother brought them to the United States, smuggling her family from Venezuela (where Dumb was born) up to Mexico and finally across the border. Crossing the border is obviously a dangerous task, but Dumb’s mother also had to deal with the human traffickers, who nearly raped her. In line 13, Dumb acknowledges his mother’s achievements, stating that “she made it really far” - referring to both the physical distance she travelled and the socio-economic growth she achieved - but reminds himself that he hasn’t yet repaid his mother and declares to continue rapping.

The chorus, which is worded as “Tell me _, are we there yet?”, mirrors the perpetual car ride question that children ask to remind Dumb about his past, present, and future journey. By asking his mother if they are there yet, Dumb opens the question for his mother to answer whether or not they have reached the life that she wanted for them. It also indicates that the end destination has not been reached, marking a continued process of growth and development.

The second verse addresses a love affair that Dumbfoundead had during his youth. Unlike most raps that glorify the idea of sex and the domineering act of it, Dumb’s rap reflects the sincere and confusing period of love. The first half of the verse explains how Dumb first met this girl and how he asked her to dates, but it isn’t until line 31 (“Is this just good sex or is it something that’s rare”) where Dumb questions where lust ends and love starts that a deeper reflection begins. Presumably his first love affair, Dumb eloquently frames through line 33 (“Are we two single people, or have we become a pair”) that two people do not always fit together, showing his hesitance to take the relationship farther. Realizing that the girl is falling in love with him, Dumb ends the relationship before it progresses too quickly. He shows remarkable maturity in this relationship as he tells the girl in line 39 (“So before you use words like ‘Love’, just let me speak”) to consider if they are ready for the relationship.

The chorus follows the same pattern as established before, asking the girl if they are ready to commit. It is implied that by asking, Dumb is telling her that while she may be ready, he isn't.

The third verse highlights the beginning of Dumbfoundead’s rap career. Inducted into Project Blowed by a friend, Dumbfoundead honed his rapping skills with other “Blowdians” until he gained the title himself. Participating in several battles such as Grind Time West Coast, Dumb made a name for himself in the underground community as a clown with witty retorts and ridiculous rhyming skills. In line 49 (“ I made it my career at the age of seventeen”), Dumb, who worked several odd jobs to financially support himself, decides to becoming a full time rapper. In the next line, Dumb travels across the world, opening for Epik High’s “Map the Soul” tour. With a fanclub large enough to rival well-established artists, Dumb admits that he didn’t think that he could reach success after a lowly start doing what he loves most. In line 57 (“I think I made it y’all, I don’t need a f*ckin’ deal”), Dumb proudly refuses to sign with a recording company, saying that he doesn’t need one. Immediately in the next line though, Dumb checks himself, humbly admitting that when things are going well, he tends to act too cocky (“I get gassed up”) and needs to keep himself grounded.

The last chorus differs from the usual pattern in that Dumb asks himself if he is there yet, and he answers that he “ain’t there yet.” As far as he has come, Dumbfoundead has more to go.

The ninth lines in all three verses change tones to reflect a more sincere feeling about each journey as Dumbfoundead summarizes how he felt at that time. It adds a more human and vulnerable side to Dumbfoundead, one that is different from the outward personality he shows. Dumb also uses rap terms like “G” and “OG” to show that he grew up in that community and how much of an impact it made on him.

BUBBA KUSH
Let the beat hit you with a big bang, make the girls dip low People taking pics, click, pause for a quick pose Armored cars, bodyguards rocking thick trench coats If you get close then you might get your wig blown (5) D to the FD, fly as a frisbee Fans with their hands holding signs saying "Kiss Me" Cup full of whiskey, pocket full of weed Got a catalog of bangers, iPod full of Ds (10) Yo, it's killah California, sorry I didn't inform ya But I've served your favorite rappers like Anna Kournikova My freestyle game is even nicer than your written emcee's I've slain, they need Vicoden prescriptions Yeah, get your zanibars up (15) Got these kids looking at me like I'm Daddy Warbucks

All you trust fund babies, please hand me your trust And I'll double your money by fucking challengers up You can shoot crazy videos with Canon 5Ds (20) Use Youtube and Usteam satellite feeds Wear my clothes, and my shoes, and have my ID But it won't ever turn you into a rapper like me

Where is Dumb from? It's probably Andromeda (25) Styles off the chart that blew up the damn monitors We've never had a reading like this on the swaggometer Nobody wanna see me, call me your tax auditor

H&R Block flow, catch me on your blog post (30) To givin' out free shit like Oprah's talk show You get one, you get one, and you too Look under your seat, there's a dub sack glued to

And on the last day of 2010, I was with the homie Wax (35) Talking 'bout the takeover, sippin' on some cognac Cutie with a booty passed by, we made a toast to that Changing up the industry like they did with the zodiac

Yessir, man, I'm spittin' straight crack (40) Makin' y'all look stupid like Gucci Mane's face tat Ha, brr, it's getting cold in here I'm taking rap back to its golden years

Check it, they got these Asian stereotypes, what's with that (45) My dick's big, I drive good, and I suck at math But I can fucking rap, so watch your fucking mouth Before I do some martial arts shit and punch you out

I'm not the timid type, I live the city life (50) Got just the right amount of arrogance that women like I drink and smoke la vida loca I'm tryna run LA, call me Villaraigosa

2011 you're gonna hear a whole lot of me (55) I'm making better music than most of these Grammy nominees Their albums are going platinum and mine's just went mahogany But I ain't really trippin', cause one day they're gonna honor me

In the past year, I've acquired a little web fame (60) Met a lot of haters and liars within the net game Got a little buzzed, but I ain't even full of head change Too busy getting my bars up, catchphrase

I ain't a silly kid doing video blogs (65) If I did them as a youth, it'd be the city of god Cause I was more into robberies than getting a job I just shut this shit down, turn the internet off

I said that bubba bubba, that bubba bubba, kush kush (70) That bubba bubba, that bubba bubba, kush kush That bubba bubba, that bubba bubba, kush kush That bubba bubba, that bubba bubba, kush kush

BUBBA KUSH

Unlike “Are We There Yet,” Dumbfoundead takes a self-focused view of his career. He talks about his 2010 and 2011 year and how he views himself. In the first line (“Let the beat hit you with a big bang, make the girls dip low”), it may seem like Dumb is just starting his rap, but Dumb, who worked with other Korean artists, adds in the quick credit to Big Bang and Diplo, the original artists, as thanks for allowing him to use the cover track. The rest of the verse talks about a typical red carpet scene, armored cars, bodyguards, and the paparazzi, that Dumb criticizes as being exclusively for the rich and attention-needy. He indicates that with famous people, it’s impossible to actually approach them without being attacked. Dumb distinguishes himself from the mainstream artists by saying that he is a down-Earth, approachable sort of person.

The second verse talks about Dumb’s fanclub and his life. The sixth line (“D to the FD, fly as a frisbee”) is self-promotion. Dumbfoundead, whose name is often shorted to DFD, claims that he is “fly,” an urban rap term for being one of the best. He continues to say that he is desired by his fans and lives an easy life with drinking and smoking, with some adult material to appease him.

In the third verse, Dumb goes back to his battling years, where he participated in rap battles on the West Coast. He claims in line 12 (“But I've served your favorite rappers like Anna Kournikova”) that he was the rapper version of Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova, known for her 100+ mph serves. He insults the past rappers he’s battled, saying that his freestyle rhymes are better than the prewritten punchlines his opponents use, and that he’s beaten them so badly that they need Vicoden, a strong painkiller, to recuperate from their loss. Dumb orders the losers to prepare their prescription medication for the future beatdowns, and he says that kids look up to him, just as the orphans in “Little Orphan Annie” looked up to Daddy Warbucks, the rich gentleman who adopted Annie.

Dumbfoundead isolates himself as being a true rapper able to back up his words in the fourth verse, and that betting on him (or making any sort of investment on him) would get money back. He says that even if byterz (people who copy from others) mimic his rapping career and Youtube channels, his individuality and skills will set him apart.

Assuming the role of a fan, Dumb asks himself where he’s from to have so much talent rapping. By indicating Andromeda, a far away galaxy, Dumb is saying that he’s almost alien-like, superior to normal rappers and never before seen. The sheer ridiculousness of his origin also relates to “Are We There Yet” because Dumb downplays the focus on his start and tries to divert attention to his future. Adding to his list of achievements, Dumb calls himself “your tax auditor” because no one wants to rap against him. Extending the tax metaphor into the sixth verse, Dumb makes an allusion to Oprah’s talk show where she gives out free gifts. Unlike Oprah though, Dumb is giving out insults to his rap opponents, and the “blog post” that he refers to is the social media tools that he uses to reach his fans. He actively uses his Twitter to communicate with other rappers and his fans, which occasionally gets him into trouble.

A defiant against the mainstream music industry, Dumbfoundead recalls that he was hanging out with Wax, an artist with whom he collaborated several times, on the night of New Years talking about how they will change the music industry. Just like how the zodiac, an established horoscope, was changed to add in a new icon, Dumb and Wax think they can change music so that artists can stop producing music for the money and actually make music that they like.

Continuing his conversation with Wax, Dumbfoundead says that the haters look like Gucci Mane’s face tattoo of an ice cream cone. Line 42 (“Ha, brr, it's getting cold in here”) does more than point out that Dumb has dissed people. The way he pronounces “Ha, brr” is like “hiber-“ of “hibernate,” which is an allusion to Gucci Mane’s lyric which Dumb mocks. He ends the verse by saying that he will spearhead the movement to take rap back to its best years of innovation and development.

Although Dumbfoundead struggled with an identity crisis during his youth, he now helps the Asian community. He breaks down the Asian stereotypes as being false, which he doesn’t perceive as insults against him. The one area that would tick Dumb off if criticizing his rap skills, which he claims will cause him to “do some martial arts shit.” While it may seem like Dumb is contradicting himself regarding Asian stereotypes, he’s actually alluding to a Youtube video he posted that shows him dropkicking a rapper who insults Dumb. The question about the video has always been if it was planned or actually occurred.

In the tenth verse, Dumb reveals his ambition to be the best rapper in LA. Having grown up there, he has the city-life arrogance and confidence that helped him become popular, which is how he first joined the rap community. In line 52 (“I drink and smoke la vida loca”), Dumb admits that he drinks and smoke a lot, but those activities let him have fun. The use of Spanish also connects with the next line regarding “Villaraigosa.” Villaraigosa is the current mayor of Los Angeles who managed to beat out the former incumbent and handily won every election. The mayor also contributed much to the progress of development of Hispanics in the area.

Since “BUBBA KUSH” was released at the end of 2010, Dumb hints that 2011 will be a bigger year. It turned out to be his most productive year, releasing a collaboration with DJ Zo and his most recent EP //Love Everyday//. As an underground rapper, Dumb does not get a lot of publicity but produces better music. While Grammy nominees use their publicity to sell this albums to platinum range, Dumb’s albums do poorly in sales; despite the loss, Dumb knows in his heart that he is a better artist.

The twelfth verse refers to Dumbfoundead’s internet success, where he was first recognized as a talented rapper. Despite the viral attention he received, Dumb says that his critics don’t bother him. He is still the same person he was when he first produced music. To the haters, he leaves a parting message of “getting my bars up, catchphrase.” “Get your bars up” has been Dumb’s catchphrase to weaker opponent, telling them to level up as they do in video games. He indicates that he’s been honing his skills and that the videos are just steps of progress.

Dumb, although he does some video blogs, says that he only got into the social media recently He laments the loss of productivity of children to the internet. Involved in gang activity, Dumb admits that if he were like the kids of today, there would be less crime in Koreatown. Trying to make up for his past, Dumb wants to be a positive influence for kids and “turn the internet off”. The last verse references bubba kush, a specific type of weed, but it is also a character drawn to represent Dumbfoundead, which he has sold on shirts at his concerts.

Love Psycle
At first you find it so intriguing Your heart is beating, it’s so misleading The want grows into “God I need it” Then you end up finding it slowly leaving You look for something just the same (5) So you can feel it once again You go through strangers but it’s strange And try to salvage what remains

Drunken advances, multiple chances (10) Rookie romantics in need of practice We're students of love, in and out of classes Go for the ride until it crashes I've been through enough to have learned my lessons From puppy love throughout my adolescence (15) We're friends and enemies, the same identity You're a source of strength but a waste of energy We play that game that some aren't built for Feel that pain that some would kill for We drank, we smoked, we've taken the pill form (20) Got high with you even as your mentor What we had seemed unreplaceable Til I ran and got a taste of new But my sex drive was just a waste of fuel Shoulda just used all on my race to you (25)

I'm naked, I'm numb, I'm stupid, I'm staying And if Cupid's got a gun, then he's shootin' Lights black, heads bang, you're my drug, we live it You're drunk, you need it, real love, I'll give it (30) So we're bound to linger on We drink the fatal drop Then love until we bleed Then fall apart in parts (35) When I'm in, I'm in, put my chips on black Your kiss burned my lips like I just hit crack Turn the lights off, we get it crackin' Turn the lights on, we lose the passion We try new things by lying and cheating (40) A constant cycle of goodbyes and greetings Act like love has a higher meaning We're afraid to let loose of our tied up demons Time consuming, mind confusion I'm trying, there's gotta be a science to it (45) Is it worth the effort, I'm not an expert Once a heckler before the pressure A constant battle with no winner at the end A simple breakdown from lover to a friend Friend to an enemy than lover one again (50) It comes and goes as subtle as the wind It comes and goes as subtle as the wind Subtle as the wind

Love Psycle

Extrapolating off of his second verse in “Are We There Yet”, Dumbfoundead addresses the issue of love, not sex, in “Love Psycle.” The title refers to the cycle of love, from strangers to friends to lovers to enemies back to strangers, and Dumbfoundead deliberately spells “cycle” as “psycle” to inform his listeners to the mind games of love. It also sets up the basis for the rap which is about him reflecting upon his actions.

In the first verse, Dumbfoundead raps about the initial feelings of love. The unfamiliar aspect of love makes it so “intriguing” yet “misleading” because the “love at first sight” feeling is often infatuation mistaken as love. He explains that the attraction grows into a desire and necessity, but it always fades away after some time, leading one to search for the initial feeling of love in others. The journey for love is the cycle, but trying to recreate the exact same emotion is impossible.

The second verse conveys the attempts to find love, as line 10 (“Drunken advances, multiple chances”) indicates several drunken hook-ups, which show a lack of commitment or certainty. Dumbfoundead extends the idea that no one is an expert at love, that one is a “student… in and out of classes” who need experience before being able to definitely pinpoint love. Line 13 (“Go for the ride until it crashes”) shows Dumbfoundead’s immaturity regarding relationship; he stays in it until the relationship falls apart. There’s no indication about ever trying to patch up a relationship, which may refer to his next line about having “been through enough to have learned my lessons/From puppy love.” Young love is disastrously skewed toward extreme good or extreme bad, and if Dumbfoundead had a negative experience, it could explain his hesitance about committing to a relationship. Lines 15 and 16 (“We’re friends and enemies, the same identity/You’re a source of strength but a waste of energy”) is similar to a line from “Are We There Yet” – “Are we two single people or have be become a pair” – in that a relationship forms a couple, but the couple could have opposite natures. Dumb points out the love-hate function of relationships: you have a best friend, but you also have to deal with each other’s flaws. He also delves a little into the process of a relationship; having a significant other provides one with a person to rely on, but that relationship is only as effective as the amount of energy one puts back into it. Some people aren’t ready for a relationship, but they desire that feeling. The pain that Dumb mentions is best described in Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” with the line “You can addicted to a certain kind of sadness.” Love is both amazing and terrible. Having admitted drug use, Dumbfoundead regrets dropping out of the apprentice-mentor relationship (that he lead his girlfriend) and putting himself on a lower level. Just like how people don’t appreciate what they have until they lose it, Dumb takes his relationship for granted but makes a mistake in chasing after new girls. His body is what betrays him, and he regrets not having done everything to fix his errors.

The next verse differs from the rest because it shows Dumb’s vulnerability. He says that he’s “naked…numb…stupid” for being hung up about his girlfriend but indicates that he needs her. Dumb modernizes Cupid, who is usually portrayed with a bow, into having a gun and shooting at Dumb. Lines 31 to 34 again repeat the cycle analogy by stating that Dumb’s relationship is on-and-off as they make up and fight.

The fourth verse shows Dumb’s insecurities about love. When he’s with his girl, he only focuses on her, comparing his relationship with “all-in” poker. The feelings he gets when they kiss electrify him, but they are also the reason why he stays. When the lights are off, Dumb’s relationship is very passionate, but in the day, it’s not a very solid one. The lights could portray the public and private sides of his relationship, almost like he is secretly dating her. The lying and cheating is reciprocal though as both Dumb and his girl try new things with other people, which causes their relationship to cool down and become simple acknowledgement through “goodbyes and greetings.” Lines 42 and 43 explain how they act like love is the most important thing about each other but fail tell the truth to progress along their relationship. With the lack of progress, Dumb gets cold feet about his relationship and tries to figure it out in line 45 (“I’m trying, there’s gotta be a science to it”) despite jeering others for their relationship problems. The answer that Dumb reaches it that there is no winner in love and relationship. Line 49 (“A simple breakdown from love to a friend”) could be interpreted as the reason why there is no winner, or it could mean that his break up was almost natural. Line 50 (“Friend to an enemy then lover once again”) completes the love cycle. The cycle isn’t caused by definite action; it just occurs when it does.

The repetition of "It comes and goes as subtle as the wind" not only creates an image of a cycle, it also mimics the quiet whisper of wind as it blows past. The track itself utilizes string instruments against a volatile beat - the second and fourth verses are comparatively quicker than the first and third - to show the conflict and tension within Dumb. The assonance rhyme scheme is not only found between lines, it's found within the lines, which creates a more rapid and biting beat to the rap.

This Life
Yo I’m living my dream without actually obtaining it When you’re the shit, you’re surrounded by peeps who never gave a shit Pump pump your head up ‘til the air gauge reads dangerous Feels like you’re just a stair up to reaching fame and glitz Free drinks, free weed, somebody free me (5) Every night is Black Friday, black out in the evenings This life isn’t built for the weak It’s built for the weekends So don’t you dare sleep (10) (This life) is filled with stars, women, cars (This life) but none of it is really ours (This life really is complicated) ain’t it though (This life) is simulated, but I still play it (15) This is everything I’ve asked for, everything I’ve wanted as a kid On the dancefloor, table full of bottles and mountains of magic powder In an hour it’s all gone to my head, dreaming from my deathbed, ‘cause…

Put me on the guest list, my name plus five (20) No problem getting inside Call me the Westside messiah Get high while playin’ with fire Look at it from my POV, VIP, like GOD, delivered to my table like COD Sayin’ “fuck you” to the world, Cee Lo Green (25) Fake smiles, shake hands, make rounds, make plans Can’t look at their soul through their Raybans Club full of sharks, hope I make it to the mainland This life is made of 24 karat gold But it’s like you in a jewelry store (30) And all you can do is just stare at those

(This life) is filled with stars, women, cars (This life) but none of it is really ours (35) (This life) is filled with stars, women, cars (This life) but none of it is really ours

This Life

In “This Life,” Dumbfoundead presents an insider’s point of view of the glorified, celebrity life, which can be interpreted in two ways. Despite not being a mainstream artist and a overblown celebrity, Dumb’s success has allowed him to gain access to celebrity hangouts. The first verse gives a brief summary of the celebrity style. In line 1 (“Yo I’m living my dream without actually obtaining it”), Dumb says that he gets to live his dream of being famous without actually being an A-list celebrity because of the connections he has. When one is famous, the people around don’t care or matter. For Dumb, it could mean the crowd that he’s hanging out with - the celebrities who don’t care about him – or how he really feels at parties – he doesn’t care much about the fakes. Dumb says that to fit in, you need to “pump your head up ‘til the air gauge reads dangerous” to get the same cocky manner to match the people around him, to the point that he convinces himself that he is almost at the pinnacle of success. It could also be a warning that he’s telling to the celebrities to check their egos about where they are on the rankings of the rich and famous. Line 5 (“Free drinks, free weed, somebody free me”) begins to reveal how Dumb truly feels. Even though there are benefits from being famous, he can’t take the pretention from the people anymore and wants to get out. The repetition of the word “free” focuses on the restrained manner that Dumb has to conduct himself. For celebrities who don’t worry much, every day for them is like Black Friday, where they drop money on alcohol and drugs until they physically can’t continue. The lifestyles they live are strenuous only because of excess partying, and Dumb coerces them into continuing their destructive behaviors.

The chorus is unusual in that a separate voice mysteriously says “this life” while Dumb tells the truth. This is comparable to the public display of wealth and success from celebrities that hide the dark realities of their lives. Dumb tells his fans that the famous life is “filled with stars, women, cars” but none of it is real. They are all publicity stunts to draw attention. The life of celebrities is simulated – like how many of them star in reality shows about their own lives. On the other hand, it could be Dumb defending why he goes to A-list parties but isn’t a egotistical person. He says that the life is false, but he likes to play in it.

Truthfully, Dumb admits that the rich and glamorous lifestyle that has everything in excess is what he wanted ever since he was a kid. It provides everything that he needs and it’s fun. After drinking and doing drugs though, Dumb loses his control and the wealth gets to his head. The “deathbed” that he’s referring to is the absence of his true self, the person who contributes back to his community and tries to influence kids to grow up well.

When entering parties, Dumb can bring a group and get inside quickly because of who he is, much like how famous people get priority treatment. Comparing himself to Christ, Dumb claims to be the person everyone wants to associate with. The Westside is a reference to Dumb's hometown of Los Angeles. In line 24 ("Look at it from my POV, VIP, like GOD, delivered to my table with COD"), Dumb asks people to try and understand how he views things. He has VIP access like God with everything served on a silver platter. Alluding to Cee Lo Green’s “Fuck You,” Dumb has an attitude that normally would offend people but is protected because of his status. Line 26 (“Fake smiles, shake hands, make rounds, make plans”) mocks the false friendliness the celebrities show each other. He questions the true intentions of fame, uncertain because he can’t see past celebrities’ Raybans to confirm the truth in their eyes. Feeling threatened by the “club full of sharks” that knows Dumb doesn’t fit in, Dumb hopes that he can make it out of the party. As much as he enjoys the extravagance of celebrity lifestyles, it’s only something that he can see; Dumb can’t actually afford it. The repetition of the first two lines of the chorus at the end as they fade out just reinforce the idea that the rich life isn’t actually as hyped up as it appears to be.