CL (rapper)

Lee Chae-rin (born on February 26, 1991[1]), better known by her stage name CL, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and rapper.[2] Born in Seoul, South Korea, she spent much of her early life in Japan and France.[3] CL trained at JYP Entertainment before joining YG Entertainment at the age of fifteen and debuted as a member of the girl group 2NE1 in 2009.[4] The group went on to become one of South Korea's most popular and successful girl groups worldwide.[5]

This is a Korean name; the family name is Lee.

CL
이채린
CL in 2013
Born	Lee Chae-rin (1991-02-26) February 26, 1991 Seoul, South Korea
Nationality	South Korean
Occupation	Singer-songwriter rapper
Years active	2007–present
Musical career
Origin	Seoul, South Korea
Genres	K-pop K-hip-hop reggae fusion trap
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	YG School Boy SuneV
Associated acts	2NE1 YG Family
Korean name
Hangul	이채린
Hanja	李彩麟
Revised Romanization	I Chae-rin
McCune–Reischauer	I Ch'ae-rin

Following 2NE1's hiatus at the turn of 2015, CL embarked her solo career in the United States. In November 2016, YG Entertainment officially announced 2NE1's disbandment after almost 2 years of hiatus. She subsequently remained a solo act under YG until December 2019. Shortly after her departure from the label, she released her solo EP project In the Name of Love, consisting of previously unreleased tracks written during the 3 years since her previous single "Lifted".[6]

Biography

1991–2008: Early life and career beginnings

Lee Chae-rin was born in Seoul, South Korea, but spent most of her childhood living in Paris, Tsukuba, and Tokyo. When she was 13, she moved to Paris alone where she studied for two years.[7] Lee got an audition with YG Entertainment when she was 15.[3][7] Her first feature on a song recording was Big Bang's "Intro (Hot Issue)" in 2007. Later that year, Lee performed for the first time on stage at Seoul Broadcasting System's Gayo Daejeon alongside her label mates. Her first credited appearance in a song was in 2008, with Uhm Jung-hwa's "DJ," in which she rapped.[8]

2009–2013: Debut with 2NE1 and solo career beginnings

Main article: 2NE1

Lee took on the stage name 'CL' and was placed as the leader and main rapper of 2NE1, alongside Bom, Sandara Park and Minzy. The group then collaborated with label-mates Big Bang for the song "Lollipop" before officially debuting on SBS's The Music Trend on May 17, 2009 where they performed "Fire". 2NE1 achieved significant success with the number-one single "I Don't Care" from their first extended play, 2NE1, which won them the "Song of the Year" award at the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards, making them the first rookie group to win a daesang in the same year of debut.

In August 2009, she collaborated with label-mates G-Dragon and Teddy Park of 1TYM for the single "The Leaders", featured on G-Dragon's first solo album, Heartbreaker. The same month, after the group finished with "I Don't Care" promotions, CL collaborated with fellow member Minzy for "Please Don't Go," which charted at number six on the Gaon Chart by the end of November.[9] Her first solo single, "The Baddest Female", was released on May 28, 2013.[10] For 2NE1's second album Crush, CL wrote the lyrics and co-composed the music for the tracks "Crush", "If I Were You", and "Baby I Miss You". She also wrote the lyrics for her solo track "MTBD", as well as the track "Scream".[11]

2014–2018: Stand-alone singles and featured appearances

CL in 2013

In October 2014, it was announced that CL was planning to debut as a solo artist the following year in the United States, teaming up with Scooter Braun as her manager.[12] In May 2015, she featured in Diplo's single "Doctor Pepper", alongside Riff Raff and OG Maco.[13] In November 2015, CL released her first single "Hello Bitches", as a teaser for her upcoming EP Lifted.[14][15] The single, "Lifted" was released on August 19, 2016.[16] The song appeared in the Top 30 of iTunes’ Hip-Hop/Rap chart within three hours of being released, peaking at 21.[17] Time noted her as the "future of Kpop in America".[18] On October 29, 2016, CL kicked off her first North American tour, the Hello Bitches Tour, in New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom, and concluded in Toronto on November 14.[19]

Alongside Shaiana, she featured on Lil Yachty's song "Surrender", an exclusive track off of the Target deluxe edition of his album Teenage Emotions, released on May 26, 2017.[20] CL also recorded an original single titled "No Better Feelin'" for the My Little Pony: The Movie soundtrack, released on September 22, 2017.[21] On January 4, 2018, she was reported to make her Hollywood debut as an actress in Peter Berg's film Mile 22 that stars Mark Wahlberg.[22] On February 25, 2018, CL performed at the 2018 Winter Olympics closing ceremony at Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium, performing parts from "The Baddest Female" and the 2NE1 global hit "I Am the Best".[23] At the closing ceremony, she met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, First Lady Kim Jung-sook, Exo, and U.S. First Daughter Ivanka Trump.[24]

2019–present: Departure from YG Entertainment and In the Name of Love

On November 8, 2019, YG Entertainment announced that CL did not renew her contract with the company.[25] On December 4, right after leaving YG Entertainment, she began releasing previously unreleased tracks as her solo EP project In the Name of Love for three consecutive weeks.[26]

Musical style and influences

CL cites 1TYM leader Teddy Park, who produced much of 2NE1's music, as an influence and inspiration, as well as Madonna, Queen, and Lauryn Hill.[3][27]

Discography

For CL's works with 2NE1, see 2NE1 discography.

Extended plays

Title	Details
In the Name of Love	Released: December 17, 2019 Label: SuneV, Kakao M Formats: digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

Title	Year	Peak positions				Sales	Album
		KOR [28]	US [29]	US Rap [30]	US World [31]
"Please Don't Go" (with Minzy)	2009	*	—	—	*	N/A	To Anyone
"The Baddest Female" (나쁜 기집애)	2013	4	—	—	3	KOR: 549,324+[32] US: 26,000[33]	Non-album single
"MTBD" (멘붕)	2014	15	—	—	9	KOR: 647,690+[34]	Crush
"Doctor Pepper" (with Diplo, Riff Raff, and OG Maco)	2015	47	—	—	—	N/A	Non-album singles
"Hello Bitches"		21	—	—	—	KOR: 170,448+[35]
"Lifted"	2016	—	94	31	—	N/A
"Rewind"	2019	—	—	—	4		In the Name of Love
"Done"		154	—	—	3
"Paradox"		—[upper-alpha 1]	—	—	7
"I Quit"		—	—	—	9
"One and Only"		—	—	—	13
"THNX"		—	—	—	16
"—" denotes recordings which were not released in that country or failed to chart. "*" denotes charts which did not exist at the time of release.

As featured artist

Title	Year	Peak positions							Album
		KOR [37]	AUS [38]	BEL (FL) [39]	CAN [40]	FIN [39]	US [41]	US Dance [42]
"Hot Issue" (Big Bang feat. CL)	2007	*	—	—	—	—	—	—	Hot Issue
"DJ" Uhm Jung-hwa feat. CL	2008		—	—	—	—	—	—	D.I.S.C.O
"What" (YMGA feat. YG Family and DJ Wreckx)			—	—	—	—	—	—	Non-album singles
"The Leaders" (G-Dragon feat. CL and Teddy)	2009		—	—	—	—	—	—	Heartbreaker
"Kiss" Sandara Park feat. CL			—	—	—	—	—	—	To Anyone
"Dirty Vibe" Skrillex feat. Diplo , G-Dragon, and CL	2014	—	—	—	—	—	—	15	Recess
"Daddy" PSY feat. CL	2015	1	103	68	36	20	97	6	Chiljip Psy-da
"Surrender" (Lil Yachty feat. CL and Shaiana)	2017	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Teenage Emotions
"Dopeness" (The Black Eyed Peas feat. CL)	2018	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Masters of the Sun Vol. 1
"Cut It Up" (PKCZ feat. CL and Afrojack)	2019	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Non-album singles
"—" denotes recordings which were not released in that country or failed to chart. "*" denotes charts which did not exist at the time of release.

Soundtrack appearances

Title	Year	Album
"No Better Feelin'"	2017	My Little Pony: The Movie

Tours

• Hello Bitches Tour (2016)

Awards and nominations

Year	Organization	Award	Work	Result
2013	Mnet 20's Choice Awards	20's Style Award	Herself	Won
	Mnet Asian Music Awards	Best Dance Performance – Female Solo	"The Baddest Female"
		Song of the Year		Nominated
	MYX Philippines	Hottest Female Star of 2013	Herself	Won
	SBS MTV Best of the Best	Best Female Solo		Nominated
2014	Seoul Music Awards	Bonsang Awards	"The Baddest Female"
		Popularity Awards
	YinYueTai V-Chart Awards	Top Female Artist (Korean)	Herself	Won
2014	Style Icon Awards	Top 10 Style Icons		Nominated
2016
2019	45th People's Choice Awards	The Most Inspiring Asian Woman		Won
	29th Seoul Music Awards	R&B/Hip-Hop Award		Nominated

Footnotes

1. "+PARADOX171115+" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 192 on the Gaon Download Chart.[36]

References

1. Mark Russell (29 April 2014). K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. Tuttle Publishing. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-4629-1411-1.
2. "CL at Naver Music". Naver Music (in Korean). NHN Corp. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
3. Park, Mi-ae (May 22, 2009). "CL, "데모 테이프 들고 무작정 YG 문 노크"" [CL, "knocked on the YG Entertainment door to hand in my demo tape"]. eDaily SPN (in Korean). eDaily. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
4. "Female Big Bang to be Unveiled". KBS Global. March 25, 2009. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
5. "2NE1 on Breaking Chart Records, Turning 5 (Exclusive Video Interview)". Billboard. 2014-05-27. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
6. "CL Leaves Longtime K-Pop Label: Report". billboard.com. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
7. "[CL] 1부. 새해 첫 날, 눈물 젖은 자장면 드셔보셨나요?". OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved June 13, 2013.
8. "Uhm Jung Hwa 2008 Mini Album – D.I.S.C.O". YesAsia.com. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
9. "Gaon Chart Search: CL". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
10. "The Baddest Female CL releases her solo debut MV". allkpop. 2013-05-28.
11. "K-Pop Superstar CL to Enter America With Scooter Braun", Billboard, 16 October 2014. Accessed 13 October 2015.
12. "2NE1's CL confirmed to make her U.S. debut as a solo artist".
13. "Diplo Featuring CL, RiFF RAFF & OG Maco "Doctor Pepper" Music Video".
14. "CL Preps Debut English EP 'Lifted' for Fall". Retrieved 2016-08-18.
15. "Diplo Talks K-Pop & New Songs Recorded With CL in 'Time' Interview". Retrieved 2016-08-18.
16. "CL gets 'Lifted' in her newest solo MV! | allkpop.com". Retrieved 2016-08-18.
17. "K-Pop Star CL Reaches New Heights on Debut Single 'Lifted'".
18. "K-POP's Next Act". TIME.com. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
19. "CL will embark on solo tour of North America, called 'HELLO BITCHES TOUR 2016'". Retrieved November 3, 2016.
20. "CL to feature in Lil Yachty's new album!".
21. Herman, Tamar (2017-09-15). "K-Pop Star CL Bringing 'No Better Feelin' to 'My Little Pony' Movie Soundtrack". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
22. "CL Makes Hollywood Debut in MILE 22, to be Released on August 17". Korean Film. July 10, 2018.
23. Herman, Tamar (February 25, 2018). "K-Pop Stars CL & EXO Impress at Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony". Billboard.
24. Trump, Ivanka (2018-02-25). "The world witnessed the extraordinary stories and successes of hundreds of athletes at this year's #WinterOlympics. The Olympic Closing Ceremony was an amazing tribute to all those that competed at #PyeongChang2018!pic.twitter.com/4LUrl2IKNH". @IvankaTrump. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
25. "씨엘, 결국 YG 떠난다…"전속계약 종료 합의..각별한 마음으로 응원"[공식입장]". Naver (in Korean). November 8, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
26. Pauly, Alexandra (December 4, 2019). "CL Launches Merch for 'In the Name of Love'". Hypebae. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
27. Park Yeong-ung (October 13, 2010). ""박봄은 비욘세?"..2NE1이 밝힌 롤모델은?" ["Park Bom and Beyoncé?" Who are 2NE1's role models?]. Star News (in Korean). MoneyToday. Retrieved November 13, 2010."CL style inspiration for Lil' Kim". The Fashion Law. Retrieved May 14, 2016.
28. "Gaon Digital Chart" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
    • "The Baddest Female". Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
    • "MTBD". Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
    • "Doctor Pepper". Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
    • "Hello Bitches". Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
    • "+Done161201+". Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
29. • "Lifted". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
30. • "Lifted". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
31. • "The Baddest Female". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
    • "MTBD". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
    • "Rewind". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
    • "+Done161201+". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
    • "+Paradox171115+". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
    • "+I Quit180327+". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
    • "+One and Only180228+". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
    • "+THNX190519+". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
32. "GAON STREAMING CHART [see 170]". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
33. "EXO and CL See Sales and Social Leaps After Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
34. • "2014년 Download Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
35. Cumulative sales by week for Hello Bitches:
    • "2015년 50주차 Download Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
    • "2015년 51주차 Download Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
    • "2015년 52주차 Download Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
    • "2015년 53주차 Download Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
    • "2016년 01주차 Download Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
36. "2019년 49주차 Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 27, 2019.
37. Gaon Digital Chart
    • "Doctor Pepper - 2015년 24주차 Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
38. "Daddy". Gavin Ryan (bulion) on Hung Medien. December 13, 2015. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
39. "Daddy". Ultratop. December 12, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
40. "Daddy". Billboard. December 26, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
41. "Daddy". Billboard. December 19, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
42. • "Dirty Vibe". Billboard. January 3, 2015.
    • "Daddy". Billboard. December 19, 2015.

External links

• CL on IMDb