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 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][unreliable source?] He has a child, a son.[23]
On September 22, 2022, Mad Clown revealed that he divorced his non-celebrity wife the year prior after 5 years of marriage.[24]
^ ab래퍼 '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.
^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.
^'노머시' 매드클라운부터 바스코까지 정면 대결 [Head-to-head confrontation from 'No Mercy' Mad Clown to Vasco]. 10Asia (in Korean). January 28, 2015. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
^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.
^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.
^'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.
^[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.
^매드클라운 스타쉽과 전속계약 종료..홀로서기 한다 [End of exclusive contract with Mad Clown Starship... Stand alone]. 10asia (in Korean). September 30, 2018. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
^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.
^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.
^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.
^"Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on March 9, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
^역대 시상식 [Awards Ceremony]. Gaon Chart Music Awards (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
^ ab[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.
^"Yearly Award". Melon Music Awards (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 26, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
