Mad Clown
Mad Clown in 2015
Born
Jo Dong-rim

(1985-03-25) March 25, 1985 (age 38)
Evanston, Illinois, United States[1]
Occupations
Spouse
Unknown
​
​
(m. 2016; div. 2021)​
Children1
RelativesJo Hyeon-cheol (brother)
Musical career
OriginSouth Korea
GenresHip hop
Years active2008–present
Labels
Korean name
Hangul
조동림
Revised RomanizationJo Dong-rim
McCune–ReischauerCho Tongrim

Jo Dong-rim (Korean: 조동림; born March 25, 1985),[2] 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[3] and released his first extended play, Anything Goes, in 2011.[4] He broke into the mainstream following the release of "Stupid in Love," his hit 2013 collaboration with Soyou of the girl group Sistar.[5] He has since released the extended plays Ferocity (2014),[6] Piece of Mine (2015),[7] Love is a Dog From Hell (2017),[8] and 0 (2020).[9]

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.[1]

Career

2008–2012: Debut and early career

Mad Clown debuted in 2008 and released his first EP in 2011.[3][4]

2013–2018: Starship Entertainment, collaborations, and television judge

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.[5]

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".[10][unreliable source] The music video for "Without You" was released on April 3, 2014.

On December 12, 2014, Mad Clown featured on "Anxious" by Melody Day.[11][unreliable source] In December, he also began working as a mentor on No.Mercy, a survival show of trainees from Starship Entertainment which led to the formation of Monsta X.[12] In 2015, he featured on Jooheon of Monsta X's first mixtape, SUPEXX.[13][14]

Mad Clown released his third extended play Piece of Mine in January 2015.[15]

In 2016, he was a judge and producer for the fifth season of Show Me the Money.[16][17]

In 2018, Mad Clown did not renew his contract with Starship.[18] That year, he also participated in the seventh season of "Show Me The Money" under the alias of "MOMMY SON", donning a pink ski mask to cover his appearance. After being eliminated from the show, he released the song, "Shonen Jump (ft. Bae Gisung)" in mock retaliation against those who eliminated him. He also performed the song during the filming of the final episode of the show.

2019–present: New label, more collaborations, further releases

In January 2019, Mad Clown collaborated with Stella Jang, releasing the single "No Question".[19]

In September 2020, Mad Clown announced his first EP following his departure from Starship. The album, titled 0, will be released on October 6 through Sameside Company and has four ballads.[20]

Personal life

Mad Clown's younger brother is film and television actor Jo Hyeon-cheol.[21]

Mad Clown married his non-celebrity wife on May 15, 2016, after a year of dating.[22] He has a child, a son.[citation needed]

On September 22, 2022, Mad Clown revealed that he divorced his non-celebrity wife the year prior after 5 years of marriage.[23]

Discography

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[24]
Anything Goes 55 —
Ferocity (표독) 21
Piece of Mine
  • Released: January 9, 2015
  • Label: Starship Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 8
Love is a Dog From Hell
(사랑은 지옥에서 온 개)
  • Released: March 16, 2017
  • Label: Starship Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 26
0
  • Released: October 6, 2020
  • Label: Sameside Company
  • Formats: Digital download
 — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[28]
"Luv Sickness"
feat. Junggigo 		2008 — — 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 —
"Without You" (견딜만해)
feat. Hyolyn 		2014 4 Ferocity
"Love Is You"
with Starship Entertainment artists 		10 Non-album singles
"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 		— — 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
"Old couple" (용기내지 마세요)
feat. Kim Young Heum 		2020 — 0
"Heaven" (새주소)
feat. Jin Minho 		—
"I Miss You" (보고 싶단 말이야)
with Punch 		2021 97 Non-album singles
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Soundtrack appearances

Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[28]
"Chocolate Cherry Night" (쇼콜라 체리밤)
with Yozoh 		2014 — — Hi! School-Love On OST
"0 (Young)"
with Giriboy, Jooyoung feat. No.Mercy contestants 		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) —
"Bully" (엄석대)
with snzae 		2017 — — High School Rapper OST
"Tonight" (오늘 밤)
with BoA 		90 Hit the Top OST
"When It Rains" (비가 오면)
with Soyou 		2018 — The Third Charm OST
"In My Head" 2019 — Voice 3 OST
"Not Enough (Prod. BOYCOLD)" (담아)
with Swings & Kid Milli, feat. YUMDDA & pH-1 		37 Show Me the Money 8 OST
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Other charted songs

Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[28]
"Stalker" (스토커)
feat. Crucial Star 		2014 20 Ferocity
"Ganggab" (깽값)
feat. Jooheon 		67
"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
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Filmography

Television

Year Program Network Notes
2013 Show Me The Money 2 Mnet Contestant
2016 Show Me The Money 5 Mnet Judge/Producer with Gill
2017 High School Rapper 1 Mnet Judge
2018 Show Me The Money 777 Mnet Contestant
2019 Show Me The Money 8 Mnet Judge/Producer with Swings, Kid Milli, and Boycold

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 [48]
2015 Song of the Year (January) "Fire" Won

Golden Disc Awards

Year Category Nominated work Result Ref
2018 Digital Song Bonsang "Lost Without You" (ft. Bol4)" Nominated [49]
Global Popular Artist Award Mad Clown Nominated [49]

Melon Music Awards

Year Category Nominated work Result Ref
2015 Best Rap & Hip Hop Song "Fire" Won [50]

Mnet Asian Music Awards

Year Category Nominated work Result Ref
2015 Best Rap Performance "Fire" Nominated [51]

References

  1. ^ a b "MAD CLOWN Interview- being a K-POP star, TV show, difficulty assimilating in US high school". Sidewalk Talk. YouTube. July 19, 2018. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  2. ^ 매드클라운 [Mad Clown]. Daum Encyclopedia (in Korean). January 30, 2015. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Lee, Jin-a (May 15, 2016). "Rapper Mad Clown ties the knot". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  4. ^ a b 래퍼 '매드클라운', 5월 15일 일반인 여자친구와 결혼 [Rapper 'Mad Clown' to marry non-celebrity girlfriend on May 15th]. Sisun News (in Korean). April 25, 2016. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Jin, Eun-soo (April 7, 2014). "Mad Clown seriously hits the charts". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  6. ^ "K-Pop Hot 100: Park Hyo Shin Edges Out Apink". Billboard. April 15, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  7. ^ 매드클라운-기리클라운, 닮은 꼴 외모 "누가 누군지 모르겠네" [Mad Clown-Giri Clown, look alike "I don't know who is who"]. Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). January 9, 2015. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  8. ^ 매드클라운, '사랑은 지옥에서 온 개' 새 앨범 발표 [Mad Clown releases new album 'Love is a Dog from Hell']. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). March 16, 2017. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  9. ^ 매드클라운이 들려줄 발라드…미니앨범 '0' 오늘 발매 [The ballad that Mad Clown will tell you... Mini album '0' released today]. NoCutNeww (in Korean). October 6, 2020. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  10. ^ "Hyorin gives her support for Mad Clown with a featuring on his comeback track". allkpop.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  11. ^ "Melody Day Releases "Anxious" MV Feat. Mad Clown". Soompi. December 11, 2014. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  12. ^ ‘노머시’ 매드클라운부터 바스코까지 정면 대결 | 텐아시아 [Head-to-head confrontation from ‘No Mercy’ Mad Clown to Vasco | Ten Asia]. 10Asia (in Korean). January 28, 2015. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  13. ^ 매드클라운 주헌, '털어' 공개 '특급 콜라보' [Mad Clown and Jooheon releases 'Break It Out' 'Exclusive Collaboration']. News1 (in Korean). July 10, 2015. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  14. ^ 주헌X매드클라운 '털어' 음원 공개…'슈퍼 힙합 프로젝트 'SUPEXX' 앨범 발매 [Jooheon X Mad Clown's 'Shake It Up' music source released... 'Super hip-hop project 'SUPEXX' album release]. Aju News. July 10, 2015. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  15. ^ '힙합 손석희' 매드클라운 'PIECE OF MINE' 발매, EXID 하니x진실과 만남! - 부산일보 ['Hip-hop Son Seok-hee' Mad Clown 'PIECE OF MINE' release, EXID Hani x Jin Silkwa meeting! - Busan Ilbo]. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  16. ^ ‘쇼미더머니5’ 길·매드클라운, 프로듀서 나선다 “기회줘서 감사” ['Show Me the Money 5' Gil · Mad Clown, Producer "Thank you for giving me the opportunity"]. Asia Today (in Korean). March 12, 2016. Archived from the original on February 18, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  17. ^ [뮤직와치]‘쇼미5’ 탈락자? 길, 더할나위 없이 완벽한 복귀전 [[Music Watch] Who was eliminated from ‘Show Me 5’? Gil, the perfect comeback match]. Newsen. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  18. ^ 매드클라운 스타쉽과 전속계약 종료..홀로서기 한다 | 텐아시아 [End of exclusive contract with Mad Clown Starship... Stand alone | Ten Asia]. 10asia (in Korean). September 30, 2018. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  19. ^ 매드클라운X스텔라장 'No Question', 뻔하지 않은 컬래버레이션 [Mad Clown X Stella Jang 'No Question', an unobvious collaboration]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). January 15, 2019. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  20. ^ 매드클라운, 10월 6일 컴백 확정..발라드 앨범 '0'[공식] [Mad Clown confirms comeback on October 6.. Ballad album '0' [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). September 29, 2020. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  21. ^ 조현철 "매드클라운 동생이지만, 형 랩 안 좋아해" [Jo Hyeon-cheol "I am Mad Clown's sibling, but I don't like my older brother's rapping"]. TV Report (in Korean). October 22, 2017. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  22. ^ "WHO IS MAD CLOWN'S WIFE? LET'S FIND OUT!". Channel Korea. May 2, 2019. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  23. ^ Yoon, Jun-ho (September 22, 2022). 매드클라운(마미손), 일반인 아내와 지난해 이혼 [Mad Clown (MOMMY SON) divorced his wife last year]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022 – via Naver.
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  27. ^ "2017년 03월 Album Chart". Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
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  33. ^ Cumulative sales of "Sour Grapes":
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  36. ^ Cumulative sales of "Lie":
  37. ^ "2017년 Download Chart". Archived from the original on January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  38. ^ "2017년 03월 Download Chart". Archived from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
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  40. ^ "2016년 Download Chart". Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  41. ^ Cumulative sales of "Rose of Sharon":
  42. ^ Cumulative sales of "Going Home":
  43. ^ "2016년 29주차 Download Chart". Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  44. ^ a b c d "2014년 04월 Download Chart". Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  45. ^ a b "2015년 01월 Download Chart". Archived from the original on February 13, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  46. ^ a b c Cumulative sales of "Coffee Copy Girl", "Flowers", "Population Control":
  47. ^ Cumulative sales of "Lonely Animals":
  48. ^ 역대 시상식 [Awards Ceremony]. Gaon Chart Music Awards (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  49. ^ a b [32회 골든] 소속사별 후보 배출 비율..YG 최다·플레디스 약진 [[Episode 32 Golden] Ratio of nominations by agency... YG's highest number, Pledis' breakthrough]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  50. ^ "Yearly Award". Melon Music Awards (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 26, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  51. ^ "MAMA Nominees". mwave. Archived from the original on October 29, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2016.
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