Who is Danny Chung?

I'm an underdog. I was never the weirdo that was picked on or whatever. Always hung with the cool kids, had girls, knew what to wear and all that but I battle with my own demons and insecurities. I'm a skinny Asian rapper from Philadelphia. That's like the epitome of an underdog!

Is it safe to say your passion in life is music? And if so, what is it about this art-form that draws you in?

I'd say my passion in life is art. Music is definitely a part of that and it is my most developed passion but I've always been into art and creating something that wasn't there a moment ago. That's what's so dope to me about art. It's literal magic. It's pulling things out of thin air.

What are you working on these days?

I'm working on a new album and I've rebranded. I've made music as Decipher for most of my career but I've decided to go for a new look (or an old one, rather) and go by my actual name, Danny Chung. The music is a lot more personal and genuine and introspective. It might be harder for the average listener to relate because the content is not as broad anymore but it's me pouring my heart out and I believe whenever that happens, and it's executed right, it's received well. Or at least, you have to respect it.

What's the big picture look like for you as an artist?

I just want to create. I've matured a lot recently and I know what I like and what I don't like. I know what I want to leave behind. I never had brothers or sisters and I could barely speak my family's language. I always had a lot of friends but I never felt like I could really share my feelings on a level that I might need to. That might be an issue just as a man in general but I don't think that's good either way. This music helps me release my thoughts and convey these messages that otherwise would be bouncing around in my head making me insane. I'm sure a lot of people feel this way too and even if they can't express it the same way I can, I know that when I hear music or lyrics that I feel are speaking to me it helps me feel at ease knowing that I'm not the only one. That's what I want to do for the world.

As a rapper here in the states, what's your take on K-pop music?

As an early teenage kid I was into the K-pop thing during its renaissance. Had Yoo Seung Jun hair and H.O.T. albums and took sticker pictures and all that. Don't get it twisted though, I still had Wu Tang 36 Chambers in heavy rotation and 2Pac All Eyez On Me in my home stereo CD changer, BOTH discs. I don't know if I really enjoyed K-pop music as much as I thought I did. I did like being a part of something that I could talk about with my friends and more importantly girls. These days a few K-pop artists have really found their stride and I can actually call them artists. I really like the stuff the label YG does. GD in particular seems like a real artist. Of course there's still groups and labels that completely follow formulas and get rewarded for it but that's in any genre. Actually, that's just life but every know and then you get somebody that does it their own way and gets it right.

Who is your favorite K-pop artist and why?

I don't know if he is technically "K-pop" because I think he was before the "idol" craze but Kim Jin Pyo probably influenced me the most. Mostly because that's my uncle. He's actually my mom's cousin but my family tells me to call him uncle. He first came on the scene playing saxophone and singing in this duo Panic. They had a few hits and then he became like a huge pioneer in Korean rap. Supposedly he brought structure to Korean rap with multi syllables and a polished flow which is dope because that's pretty much my style too. He's produced and written joints in Korea forever now and he's a star but I remember when he first put out that Panic album and sent a box of CD's to my grandma in Philly and I was mad proud knowing a family member was making music for a living.

Can you name one K-pop artist you'd love to do a collaboration with?

Tasha. T aka Yoon Mirae is just dope for dope standards. People say she's dope for a female rapper or she's dope for a Korean artist. Nah. She's ill, period. I remember hearing her for the first time with Uptown and her delivery was crazy. It was so unfair. Made the other members look like Tito and Jermaine.

Any last words for our Kpopstarz readers?

Shout out to Jay Park and Ailee. It's probably because of yall I get these K-pop leads haha. I'm not K-pop at all, but I've reached some people that genuinely understand me because of yall so I appreciate that look a lot. Good music is good music at the end of the day.

Check out Danny Chung's soundcloud here:

https://soundcloud.com/thedannychung/norma-jeane