CL (singer)

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

CL at Etude Pink Concert
Native name 이채린
Born Lee Chae-rin
(1991-02-26) February 26, 1991
Seoul, South Korea
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • rapper
  • model

Musical career

Genres
Years active 2007–present
Labels
Associated acts
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja 李彩麟
Revised Romanization I Chae-rin
McCune–Reischauer Yi Ch'ae-rin

Chaelin Lee, or Lee Chae-rin (born February 26, 1991[1]), better known by her stage name CL, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, rapper and model.[2] Born in Seoul, South Korea, she spent much of her early life in Japan and France.[3] She trained in JYP Entertainment before joining YG Entertainment, and became a member of the girl group 2NE1.[4]

Early career

CL was born in Seoul, South Korea, but spent most of her childhood living in Paris, Tsukuba Science City and Tokyo. She attended international schools. When she was 13, she moved back to Paris alone where she studied for two years.[5] She got an audition with YG Entertainment when she was 15.[3][5]

CL's first feature on a song recording was Big Bang's "Intro (Hot Issue)" in 2007. Later that year, she had her first stage debut at Seoul Broadcasting System's Music Awards alongside her label mates at YG Entertainment. Her first credited appearance in a song was in 2008, with Uhm Jung-hwa's "DJ," in which she rapped.[6]

2NE1

Main article: 2NE1
2NE1 is one of the most successful girl-groups hailing from South Korea and are amongst the few who are internationally acknowledged by critics.

The group's name was initially announced as "21"; however, due to the discovery of a singer with the same name, the group was renamed "2NE1".[7] Lee Chaerin took on the stage name 'CL' and was placed as the lead rapper, alongside Bom, Sandara Park and Minzy.[7] 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 has since released two eponymous extended plays, 2NE1 (2009) and 2NE1 (2011), and two studio albums, To Anyone (2010) and Crush (2014) in addition to several non-album singles. Their first EP spawned the number-one single "I Don't Care", 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 daesung the same year of debut (2 wins). 2NE1 returned with their first full-length album To Anyone with the multiple title tracks "Clap Your Hands", "Go Away", and "Can't Nobody" which occupied the top 3 spots on all music charts. The digital sales from the album made them the best-selling girl-group when combined that year.[8] Again, 2NE1 walked away with many top awards, most notably the "Artist of the Year" and "Album of the Year" awards at the MAMA's, where they won 4 awards out of the 6 they were nominated for.

CL performing with 2NE1 in 2013

Their second EP continued their digital best-selling album status for the year of 2011, where all songs but 2 charted at number-one. The single 'I Am the Best' won them their second "Artist of the Year" award and is widely considered to be their signature and most iconic song.[9][10] The song was used later as the background music for Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 tablet laptop commercial in 2014.[10] Due to its continued popularity, the song was re-released as a single in that year and debuted at #1 on Billboard's World Digital Songs chart, making them the first and only girl-group to do so and the second Korean act to chart that high after PSY.[11] In 2012-2013, 2NE1 released only singles, which produced the number-one hits "I Love You" (2012), "Falling in Love" and "Missing You" (2013). Both "I Love You" and "Missing You" won the "Digital Bonsang" award at the Golden Disk Awards, which is otherwise known to be the equivalent of Song of the Year. In 2014, they released their second full-length album Crush which spawned the number-one single "Come Back Home" and the top 5 hit "Gotta Be You". The singles swept real time charts[12] and was the most downloaded album for that year,[13] ultimately winning them the "Singer of the Year" award at the Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards for the month of (March). They were also honored by Youtube for the album's lead single, and were the only Korean acts featured on the list alongside Bigbang.[14] 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 did the lyrics for her solo track "MTBD", as well as the track "Scream".[15]

On November 25, 2016, YG Entertainment announced the disbandment of the group. YG also revealed that former members CL & Sandara signed a solo contract, hinting at the departure of Park Bom from the company.[16]

Solo activities

In August 2009, CL collaborated with label-mates G-Dragon and Teddy Park of 1TYM for "The Leaders", on G-Dragon's first solo album, Heartbreaker. In August, after finishing "I Don't Care" promotions, 2NE1 members released their own solo singles. CL collaborated with fellow member Minzy for "Please Don't Go," which charted at number six by the end of November.[17] CL's first solo single, "The Baddest Female", was released on 28 May 2013.[18] On October 15 of 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.[19]

On 21 November 2015, CL premiered her first single "Hello Bitches" via a music video launch on the Noisey website. It is a teaser for her upcoming first EP "Lifted" and the first solo song that's not part of a 2NE1 album. A few of the songs that have been announced for the upcoming EP are "Birthday", "Fallin", "Lifted" or "One".[20][21] The title song from her "Lifted" EP was released on August 19.[22] "Lifted" appeared in the top 30 of iTunes’ Hip-Hop/Rap chart on Billboard[23] within three hours of being released. The success of her American debut garnered much attention. On November 1, 2016, TIME magazine released an article titled "Here's why CL Is the Future of Kpop in America." The article praised not only CL for her success, but also fellow Korean artists like Dean and Eric Nam for representing Asia in America.[24]

On October 29, 2016, she kicked off her first North American tour called "Hello Bi+ches Tour 2016" in New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom, which is set to conclude in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[25]

Musical style and influences

CL was the leader, rapper, and vocalist of the group 2NE1.[26] She cites 1TYM leader Teddy Park, who produces much of 2NE1's music, as an influence and inspiration, as well as Madonna, Queen, Lauryn Hill.[3][27] and Lil' Kim.[28]

Discography

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

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak
chart
positions
Album
KOR
[17]
US
[29]
"Please Don't Go"
(with Minzy)
2009 6 To Anyone
"The Baddest Female" 2013 4 Non-album single
"MTBD (Mental Breakdown)" 2014 11 Crush
"Hello Bitches" 2015 21 Non-album single
"Lifted" 2016 94

As featured artist

Title Year Peak
chart
positions
Album
KOR
[30]
FRA NOR SWI US
Dance
US
"Hot Issue"
(Big Bang featuring CL)
2007 Hot Issue
"DJ"
(Uhm Jung-hwa featuring CL)
2008 D.I.S.C.O
"What"
(YMGA featuring YG Family & DJ Wreckx)
Non-album single
"The Leaders"
(G-Dragon featuring CL & Teddy)
2009 38 Heartbreaker
"Kiss"
(Dara featuring CL)
5 To Anyone
"Dirty Vibe"
(Skrillex featuring Diplo, G-Dragon, and CL)
2014 15 Recess
"Doctor Pepper"
(with Diplo, Riff Raff and OG Maco)[31]
2015 370 Non-album single
"Daddy"
(Psy featuring CL)
1 40 20 25 6 97 Chiljip Psy-da
"—" denotes recordings which were not released in that country or failed to chart.
     The song was recorded in Korean.
     The song was recorded in English.

Tours

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[32] "The Baddest Female" Won
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" Nominated
Popularity Awards Nominated
YinYueTai V-Chart Awards Top Female Artist (Korean)[33] Herself Won
Style Icon Awards Top 10 Style Icons Nominated

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. 1 2 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. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  5. 1 2 "[CL] 1부. 새해 첫 날, 눈물 젖은 자장면 드셔보셨나요?". OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  6. "Uhm Jung Hwa 2008 Mini Album – D.I.S.C.O". YesAsia.com. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  7. 1 2 (Korean) Lee, Hyae-rin. YG "원조 21에게 미안, '여자빅뱅' 이름 2NE1로 교체" (YG "We apologize to original '21' and Have Changed the Name to 2NE1!! Please forgive us!"). Asia Economy. March 30, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
  8. "Les charts: 2NE1 discography". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2014-11-23.
  9. Benjamin, Jeff. "2NE1 Invades America: Behind the Scenes With the K-Pop Phenomenon". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
  10. 1 2 Benjamin, Jeff. "Watch Microsoft Brilliantly Shade Apple With 2NE1's K-Pop Hit in New Ad". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
  11. Benjamin, Jeff. "2NE1's 'I Am the Best' Tops World Digital Songs Chart After Big Sales Week". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
  12. Hicap, Jonathan. "2NE1′s 'Crush' achieves 'all-kill' status". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
  13. "Gaon Chart reveals that Girls' Generation, 2NE1, and A Pink are the three leading girl groups in terms of sales". Allkpop. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
  14. Hicap, Jonathan. "Big Bang, 2NE1 among winners in 2015 YouTube Music Awards". Manilla Bulletin. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
  15. Benjamin, Jeff. "K-Pop Superstar CL to Enter America With Scooter Braun", Billboard, 16 October 2014. Accessed 13 October 2015.
  16. http://entertain.naver.com/music/now/read?oid=311&aid=0000676645
  17. 1 2 "Gaon Chart Search: CL". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  18. "The Baddest Female CL releases her solo debut MV". allkpop. 2013-05-28.
  19. "2NE1's CL confirmed to make her U.S. debut as a solo artist". allkpop. 2015-07-02. On 21 November 2015 at 9PM (Korean time), CL will premiere her first single "Hello Bitches" via the released of the Music Video on the Noisey website. This is the first taste of her upcoming first EP "Lifted" and first solo song who's not part of a 2NE1 album. The EP will contain other songs like "Birthday", "Fallin", "Lifted" or "One" and maybe even "Dr. Pepper (feat. Diplo, RiFF RAFF & OG Maco)".
  20. "CL Preps Debut English EP 'Lifted' for Fall". Retrieved 2016-08-18.
  21. "Diplo Talks K-Pop & New Songs Recorded With CL in 'Time' Interview". Retrieved 2016-08-18.
  22. "CL gets 'Lifted' in her newest solo MV! | allkpop.com". Retrieved 2016-08-18.
  23. "K-Pop Star CL Reaches New Heights on Debut Single 'Lifted'". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
  24. "K-POP's Next Act". TIME.com. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
  25. http://cltour.sivagroupent.com/. Retrieved November 3, 2016. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. "Member Profile: CL". 2NE1 Japanese Website (in Japanese). YG Entertainment. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  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.
  28. "CL style inspiration for Lil' Kim". The Fashion Law. Retrieved May 14, 2016.
  29. "Lifted". Gaon Music Chart. Billboard.
  30. Gaon Digital Chart
  31. INTERVIEW: Five Things You NEED To Look Out For From Diplo In 2015
  32. Apache Tomcat/7.0.23
  33. CL Won “Top Female Artist (Korean)” Award At The 2014 2nd YinYueTai V-Chart Awards In Beijing (April 15, 2014)

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