Ima Korean
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2011) |
| "Ima Korean" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Rucka Rucka Ali | |
| from the album I'm Black, You're White & These Are Clearly Parodies | |
| Released | February 20, 2010 |
| Genre | |
| Label | Pinegrove Records |
| Songwriter(s) | Rucka Rucka Ali |
| Producer(s) | Rucka Rucka Ali |
"Ima Korean" is a parody of the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" by American comedy rapper Rucka Rucka Ali. The song was released on February 20, 2010, as a single to iTunes.[1] It makes fun of then North Korean leader Kim Jong Il as well as the culture, and stereotypes associated with his country and the wider East Asia. The song's cover claimed that it featured Asian–American DJ Not Nice, which is an alias of Ali's.
In June 2010, BBC News reported on the song when a child of Korean heritage was offended by its playback in a school presentation at Portchester School in Bournemouth in the United Kingdom. The principal apologized to the student's mother, stating that the video was "probably racist".[2]
Rucka Rucka Ali released an album titled Probably Racist in 2011, referring to the incident in Bournemouth. It included the song "We're All Asian", which featured the quote "the principal said DJ Not Nice is probably racist." He later released a sequel titled "My Korea's Over" which is a parody of "International Love", taking place after Kim Jong Il's death in 2011, when his son Kim Jong Un took over as the leader of North Korea.
A third song in the series, named "Kim Jong Un Song", was released in June 2013. It references the 2013 Korean Crisis.
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Independent Singles Breakers (OCC)[3] | 16 |
| US Comedy Digital Tracks (Billboard)[4] | 2 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Ima Korean (feat. DJ Not Nice) by Rucka Rucka Ali & DJ Not Nice - Download Ima Korean (feat. DJ Not Nice) on iTunes". iTunes. February 20, 2010. Archived from the original on April 23, 2010.
- ^ "Bournemouth school pupils told off over 'racist' video". BBC News. 2010-06-17. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Breakers Chart". Official Charts Company. May 23, 2010. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f=ts_chart_artistname%3A%2ARucka%20Rucka%20Ali%2A&f=ts_chart_search_title%3A%2AKorean%2A&f=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=1&artist=Rucka%20Rucka%20Ali&title=Korean [dead link]