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KPBS Midday Edition

Summer Music: Indian K Explores His Identity In 'Duality 2'

The musician Indian K is pictured in an undated photo.
Kim Miller Photography
The musician Indian K is pictured in an undated photo.

The hip-hop artist Indian K is a member of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians. He spent the early part of his childhood here on his tribe’s reservation in Rincon. His life has taken him on a long and winding road through foster care and prison and back into the community as a respected musician. Through it all, his lyrics remain positive and full of hope.

Indian K's 2020 album, "Duality 2," explores his identity as an American Indian who has lived both on the reservation and off, and who has served time in prison.

"I wouldn't have known sweat lodge, I wouldn't have known a lot of our structure if I don't go to prison," he said. "Just as being American Indian, I experienced more of my culture being locked up than being on the outside."

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Summer Music Series: Indian K

RELATED: Summer Music Series

As part of the final episode of this year's KPBS Summer Music series we'll hear some of Indian K's music and about his life's experience.

The hip hop artist Indian K is a member of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians. He spent the early part of his childhood living on his tribe’s reservation. His life has taken him on a long and winding road through foster care and prison and back into the community as a respected musician.