5 top songs of K-pop rapper CL, the ‘Baddest Female’
Nobody has toed the line harder than South Korean star CL – and this is apparent in her music, too.
The rapper, who was part of the disbanded four-member girl group 2NE1, has been turning heads with her mad rapping and singing skills since the group debuted in 2009 – disrupting the industry (which was and is still saturated with bubblegum-pop songs) with its own dynamic take on the K-pop genre.
With hit songs that are provocative and addictive, CL, 28 – whose real name is Lee Chae-rin – is a fixture in the entertainment industry.
Here are the top five songs featuring CL – either as lead artist or as part of a collaboration.
The Baddest Female, 2013
This was one of her first ventures as a solo artist – and she doesn’t hold any punches. This single didn’t put her on the map so much as it reminded people of her unquestionable talent and charisma. On YouTube, the music video currently has over 43 million views – a testament to her popularity and her talent.
MTBD, 2014
CL quickly followed her success with another hit song, titled MTBD – which stands for “mental breakdown” – which was released as part of 2NE1’s album, “Crush”. The strong beat, complemented by her inimitable style, makes this one of her best songs in our opinion.
Hello Bitches, 2015
There’s only one way to say “hello” – and it’s the way CL likes to do it. The music video is also an artistic tribute to her talent, as evidenced by the smooth dance moves and camerawork.
Doctor Pepper, 2015
Coke or Pepsi? If it was up to CL, you’d only get Dr Pepper as an option. For this song, CL collaborated with Diplo, RiFF RAFF and OG Maco to offer this Trap music with serious bars and heavy beats.
Lifted, 2016
Lifted marked her debut into the US market with her first single in English. Unlike her other songs, this single is slow-paced with a strong reggae-vibe. It also somehow reminds us of lazy sunny days spent doing nothing but lounge around with the radio on.
The fact that it also heavily samples Wu-Tang Clan’s Method Man doesn’t hurt either. Just take a listen to the lyrics: “Hey, you, get off my cloud / You don’t know me, and you don’t know my style” and “And I’m about to go get lifted / Yes I’m about to go get lifted”.
Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
The star, with a talent for provocative and addictive songs, has been in the public eye since 2009 and her days with girl group 2NE1