When considering self-made rappers who have crossed boundaries, both musical and cultural, Dumbfoundead is one of the first to come to mind.

The 28-year-old Korean-American artist, real name Jonathan Park, has already collaborated with other big names in the music industry such as hip-hop group Epik High, vocalist Kahi (formerly of the K-pop group "After School") and rapper Jay Park.

Originally from Argentina, Dumbfoundead is one rapper not afraid to reveal his own life and reflect on his own personal growth in his lyrics. This is particularly true about the track "Cool and Calm" off of his 2011 album "DFD," produced by EOM and and released by the label Knocksteady.

"Cool and Calm" is clearly the standout track on "DFD."

The use of complex beats, drums, xylophones and violins was intelligent and tasteful. Some might say that the way these instruments were blended together is a bit monotonous, but that's exactly why it works so well with the lyrics. The best rap beats are repetitive!

Park has a sort of easygoing and confident flow to his rapping. And with lyrics that reference everything from his love life to his financial problems, he almost never diverts from that cool and calm manner of spitting his rhymes.

"This society asks you to pick a side," Dumbfoundead raps in on"Cool And Calm."

"Every minute of your life, 365. Red or blue, big or small, yes or no, right or wrong. The difference between the two is the feeling of I belong."

Here we are getting a possible glimpse into the struggle and frustration the rapper felt coming up.

Dumbfoundead never finished high school, instead pursuing the arts outside of academia, working to sustain himself and fund his craft.

"Another underdog story for the books," he raps in another line. "But I promise that the story is a foreign as I look. Waiting at the bus stop to touring on a bus. When the going gets tough I keep it up."

Dumbfoundead's struggle has clearly paid off, or at least it's starting to. He started with very little, but now he's living his dream. And what does it all mean in the end?

"All I know is I keep it cool," he raps. "I keep it calm."

Check out Dumbfoundead's 2011 track "Cool and Calm" RIGHT HERE

Rehnuma Majid is a writer, artist, radio DJ, events promoter, and avid rock climber. Culture, advocacy, and pie are her passions.