Jo Dong-rim (; born March 25, 1985), better known by the stage name Mad Clown (), is an American 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 released the extended plays Ferocity (2014), Piece of Mine (2015), Love is a Dog From Hell (2017), and 0 (2020).
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
2008–2012: Debut and early career Mad Clown debuted in 2008 and released his first EP in 2011.
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.
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. 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. In 2015, he featured on Jooheon of Monsta X's first mixtape, SUPEXX.
Mad Clown released his third extended play Piece of Mine in January 2015.
In 2016, he was a judge and producer for the fifth season of Show Me the Money.
In 2018, Mad Clown did not renew his contract with Starship. 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".
In September 2020, Mad Clown announced his first EP following his departure from Starship. The album, titled 0, was released on October 6 through Sameside Company and has four ballads.
Personal life Mad Clown's younger brother is film and television actor Jo Hyeon-cheol.
Mad Clown married his non-celebrity wife on May 15, 2016, after a year of dating. He has a child, a son.
On September 22, 2022, Mad Clown revealed that he divorced his non-celebrity wife the year prior after 5 years of marriage.
Discography Extended plays Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales KOR Anything Goes Released: November 4, 2011 Label: Soul Company Formats: CD, digital download 55 Ferocity () Released: April 4, 2014 Label: Starship Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download 21 KOR: 1,070 Piece of Mine Released: January 9, 2015 Label: Starship Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download 8 KOR: 1,492 Love is a Dog From Hell() Released: March 16, 2017 Label: Starship Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download 26 KOR: 657 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
"Luv Sickness" 2008 — rowspan="3" rowspan="2" "Farewell" () — "Basil" () 2011 — Anything Goes "Stupid In Love" () 2013 1 KOR: 1,159,949 rowspan="2" "Brilliant Is..." 75 "Without You" () 2014 4 KOR: 967,646 Ferocity"Love Is You" 10 "Fire" () 2015 1 KOR: 1,087,147Piece of Mine "Get Low" () 65 KOR: 74,428 rowspan="8" "Sour Grapes" () 2 KOR: 774,942Cumulative sales of "Sour Grapes":
"Softly" () 24 "Like Romance Comics" () 2016 17 KOR: 125,593 "H.ear Your Colors" () 57 KOR: 42,946 "What Was That" () 14 "Lie" () 10 KOR: 367,398Cumulative sales of "Lie":
"Love Wishes" () 77 "Lost Without You" () 2017 5 KOR: 1,012,764 Love is a Dog From Hell "Love is a Dog From Hell" () 17 KOR: 137,618 "Wash!Wash" () — rowspan="8" rowspan="5" "Christmas Day" () 63"Butterfly" ()2018 —"Thirst" () —"No Question" 2019 47"Old couple" ()2020 —0"Heaven" () —"I Miss You" ()202197"—" denotes releases that did not chart.
Soundtrack appearances Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album KOR "Chocolate Cherry Night" () 2014 — Hi! School-Love On OST "0 (Young)" 2015 71 KOR: 43,760 No.Mercy OST "Once Again" () 2016 2 KOR: 1,056,319 Descendants of the Sun OST "Rose of Sharon" () 12 KOR: 244,242Cumulative sales of "Rose of Sharon":
Show Me the Money 5 OST "Going Home" () 6 KOR: 433,732Cumulative sales of "Going Home":
"Bad Blood" () — KOR: 27,111 "Bully" () 2017 — rowspan="5" High School Rapper OST "Tonight" () 90 Hit the Top OST"When It Rains" () 2018 —The Third Charm OST"In My Head" 2019 —Voice 3 OST"Not Enough (Prod. BOYCOLD)" () 37Show Me the Money 8 OST"—" denotes releases that did not chart.
Other charted songs Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album KOR "Stalker" () 2014 20 KOR: 222,519 Ferocity "Ganggab" () 67 KOR: 66,904 "Your Scent" () 60 KOR: 68,996 "Gum" () 72 KOR: 59,328 "Hide & Seek" () 2015 24 KOR: 107,061 Piece of Mine "Battle Cry" () 59 KOR: 63,089 "Coffee Copy Girl" () 79 KOR: 40,007Cumulative sales of "Coffee Copy Girl", "Flowers", "Population Control":
"Flowers" () — KOR: 35,188 "Population Control" — KOR: 29,987 "Lonely Animals" () 44 KOR: 66,518Cumulative sales of "Lonely Animals":
"—" 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 Judge2018Show Me The Money 777MnetContestant2019 Show Me The Money 8 Mnet Judge/Producer with Swings, Kid Milli, and Boycold
Awards and nominations
Gaon Chart Music Awards
YearCategoryNominated workResultRef2013 Song of the Year (September)"Stupid In Love" (with Soyou)2015Song of the Year (January)"Fire"
Golden Disc Awards YearCategoryNominated workResultRef 2018Digital Song Bonsang"Lost Without You" (ft. Bol4)"Global Popular Artist AwardMad Clown
Melon Music Awards
YearCategoryNominated workResultRef2015Best Rap & Hip Hop Song"Fire"
Mnet Asian Music Awards YearCategoryNominated workResultRef2015 Best Rap Performance"Fire"
References