Introduction
Jo Dong-rim (Korean: 조동림; born March 25, 1985), better known by the stage name Mad Clown (Korean: 매드클라운), is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He debuted with the single "Luv Sickness" in 2008 and released his first extended play, Anything Goes, in 2011. He broke into the mainstream following the release of "Stupid in Love," his hit 2013 collaboration with Soyou of the girl group Sistar. He has since release the extended plays Ferocity (2014), Piece of Mine (2015), and Love is a Dog From Hell (2017).
Early life
Jo Dong-rim was born just outside of Chicago in Evanston, Illinois on March 25, 1985. He and his parents moved back to South Korea when he was around one year old. His family sent him back to the U.S. to study when he was 14. Growing up he was heavily influenced by Rapper 2Pac. He was pursuing a degree in Sociology in the U.S. but later left his studies to continue to pursue music.
Career
He has worked on several collaborations, including Stupid in Love with South Korean singer Soyou from the South Korean group Sistar, released on September 10, 2013.
On March 28, 2014, Starship Entertainment announced on their Twitter account that Sistar's Hyolyn would feature in Mad Clown's comeback track, "Without You". The music video for "Without You" was released on April 3, 2014.
On December 12, 2014, Mad Clown featured on "Anxious" by Melody Day. Mad Clown released his third extended play Piece of Mine in January 2015.
Mad Clown is known for his sharp, high tone rapping. He was a judge and producer for the fifth season of Show Me the Money.
Personal life
Mad Clown marriedhis non-celebrity wife on May 15, 2016, after a year of dating. He has a child.
Mad Clown's brother is film and television actor Jo Hyeon-cheol (Korean: 조현철). Hyeon-cheol appeared in the 2016 films The Tunnel and Master, and on the 2017 TV show Argon.
Discography
Extended plays
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anything Goes |
|
55 | N/A |
| Ferocity (표독) |
|
21 |
|
| Piece of Mine |
|
8 |
|
| Love is a Dog From Hell (사랑은 지옥에서 온 개) |
|
26 |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Luv Sickness" feat. Junggigo |
2008 | — | N/A | non-album singles |
| "Farewell" (이별은) feat. DC |
— | |||
| "Basil" (바질) feat. Brother Su |
2011 | — | Anything Goes | |
| "Stupid In Love" (착해 빠졌어) with Soyou |
2013 | 1 |
|
non-album singles |
| "Brilliant Is..." with Skull, Haha, Geeks, Zico, Swings, Double K, Zizo, Soul Dive, Heo Kyung-hwan, Kim Ji-min feat. Gill, Jungin |
75 | N/A | ||
| "Without You" (견딜만해) feat. Hyolyn |
2014 | 4 |
|
Ferocity |
| "Love Is You" with Starship Entertainment artists |
10 | non-album single | ||
| "Fire" (화) feat. Jinsil |
2015 | 1 |
|
Piece of Mine |
| "Get Low" (털어) with Jooheon |
65 |
|
non-album singles | |
| "Sour Grapes" (못먹는 감) with San E |
2 |
| ||
| "Softly" (사르르) with Starship Entertainment artists |
24 | |||
| "Like Romance Comics" (만화처럼) with Brother Su |
2016 | 17 |
| |
| "H.ear Your Colors" (알록달록) feat. Jooheon |
57 |
| ||
| "What Was That" (그게 뭐라고) with K.Will |
14 | |||
| "Lie" (거짓말) feat. Lee Hae-ri |
10 |
| ||
| "Love Wishes" (누가 그래) with Starship Entertainment artists |
77 | |||
| "Lost Without You" (우리집을 못 찾겠군요) feat. Bolbbalgan4 |
2017 | 5 |
|
Love is a Dog From Hell |
| "Love is a Dog From Hell" (사랑은 지옥에서 온 개) feat. Suran |
17 |
| ||
| "Wash!Wash" (세탁중) with Justhis |
— | N/A | Non-album singles | |
| "Christmas Day" (크리스마스데이) with Starship Entertainment artists |
63 | |||
| "Butterfly" (너랑나랑노랑) with San E feat. Bumkey |
2018 | — | ||
| "Thirst" (갈증) with Ailee |
— | |||
| "No Question" with Stella Jang |
2019 | 47 |
Soundtrack appearances
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Chocolate Cherry Night" (쇼콜라 체리밤) with Yozoh |
2014 | — | N/A | Hi! School-Love On OST |
| "0 (Young)" with Giriboy, Jooyoung feat. No.Mercy |
2015 | 71 |
|
No.Mercy OST |
| "Once Again" (다시 너를) with Kim Na-young |
2016 | 2 |
|
Descendants of the Sun OST |
| "Rose of Sharon" (무궁화) with Donutman, Boi B, #Gun |
12 |
|
Show Me the Money 5 OST | |
| "Going Home" (비행소년) with #Gun feat. Gummy |
6 |
| ||
| "Bad Blood" (나쁜 피) | — |
| ||
| "Tonight" (오늘 밤) with BoA |
2017 | 90 | N/A | Hit the Top OST |
| "When It Rains" (비가 오면) with Soyou |
2018 | — | The Third Charm OST | |
| "In My Head" | 2019 | — | Voice 3 OST |
Other charted songs
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Stalker" (스토커) feat. Crucial Star |
2014 | 20 |
|
Ferocity |
| "Ganggab" (깽값) feat. Jooheon |
27 |
| ||
| "Your Scent" (살냄새) feat. Brother Su |
60 |
| ||
| "Gum" (껌) feat. Fana, Oh Ji-eun |
72 |
| ||
| "Hide & Seek" (콩) feat. Jooyoung |
2015 | 24 |
|
Piece of Mine |
| "Battle Cry" (때려박는 랩) | 59 |
| ||
| "Coffee Copy Girl" (커피카피아가씨) | 79 |
| ||
| "Flowers" (꽃) feat. Paloalto, Justhis, G2 |
— |
| ||
| "Population Control" | — |
| ||
| "Lonely Animals" (외로운 동물) with San E feat. Brother Su |
44 |
|
Non-album single | |
Awards and nominations
Gaon Chart Music Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Song of the Year (September) | "Stupid In Love" (with Soyou) | Won | |
| 2015 | Song of the Year (January) | "Fire" | Won |
Golden Disc Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Global Popular Artist | N/A | Nominated |
Melon Music Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Best Rap & Hip Hop Song | "Fire" | Won |
Mnet Asian Music Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Best Rap Performance | "Fire" | Nominated |