CL (singer)

Lee Chae-rin (born February 26, 1991), better known by her stage name CL, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and rapper. Born in Seoul, South Korea, she spent much of her early life in Japan and France. She was trained in JYP Entertainment before joining YG Entertainment, and became a member of the girl group 2NE1. She is currently working on an English-language album.

1990–2007: Early life and career beginnings

Lee Chae-rin was born in Seoul, South Korea, but spent most of her childhood living in Paris, Tsukuba Science City and Tokyo. When she was 13, she moved to Paris alone where she studied for two years. She got an audition with YG Entertainment when she was 15.

Lee's first feature on a song recording was Big Bang's "Intro (Hot Issue)" in 2007. Later that year, she 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.

2009–2014: Debut with 2NE1 and solo songs

Lee Chaerin took on the stage name 'CL' and was placed as the leader and lead 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". The group 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, CL 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 2NE1 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.

CL's first solo single, "The Baddest Female", was released on 28 May 2013. 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 did the lyrics for her solo track "MTBD", as well as the track "Scream".

2015–Present: Upcoming English-language debut album

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.

In May 2015, CL featured in Diplo's single "Doctor Pepper", alongside Riff Raff and OG Maco. In November 2015, CL released her first single "Hello Bitches", as a teaser for her upcoming EP Lifted.

The lead single, "Lifted" was released on August 19, 2016. The song appeared in the Top 30 of iTunes’ Hip-Hop/Rap chart within three hours of being released, peaking at 21. Time noted CL as the "future of Kpop in America". On October 29, 2016, she kicked off her first North American tour, Hello Bi+ches Tour 2016 in New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom, and concluded in Toronto on November 14.

CL was the leader, rapper, and vocalist of the group 2NE1. 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. and Lil' Kim.

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

     The song was recorded in Korean.

     The song was recorded in English.

• "Lifted". Gaon Music Chart. Billboard. 
• Gaon Digital Chart

• "Doctor Pepper - 2015년 24주차 Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. 

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• Hello Bitches Tour 2016 (2016)