CL Makes Power-Packed Return With ‘Post Up’

South Korean rapper CL made her big comeback today with the track “Post Up,” a short but powerful anthem that declares the start of a brand new artistic era. CL, whose real name is Lee Chaerin, explained that the track and its accompanying video are a gift to her fans, stating on Instagram, “‘Post Up’ is a short video that I’m releasing ahead of my new album as a thank you to all of my GZBz. I hope you will all enjoy my special gift.”  The rapper teased the release on social media for several weeks with images and short clips from the video.

“Post Up” is produced by Baauer (“Harlem Shake”) and Portuguese producer Holly, and pairs the latter’s signature deep bass with haunting percussion instrumentals as a foundation for CL’s fiery verses. Written by the rapper herself, the track is a celebration of her unique style and legacy in K-pop as she says, “Bet you ain’t ever seen a badass Asian like me/I go by the name of— you already know,” implying–correctly–that she needs no introduction. Although just barely hitting the two-minute mark, “Post Up” decimates haters and non-believers and declares that although CL has been through hell over the past few years, she is more than ready to continue her journey to the top, “If life is a game, the mission is to level up/Even if I fall nine times, I’ll get up 10.” The track also features a shoutout to her former group 2NE1, referring to her bandmates Sandara Park, Minzy and Park Bom as, “My past, my forever blessing.”

Directed by Cho Gi Seok and Lee Hyein, the music video for “Post Up” keeps it simple with CL dancing in a white room, draped in designer clothing and bathed in purple, blue and red lights as the frames and outfits change. Her signature silver hair, heavy eyeliner and unapologetic attitude make a comeback as she gazes at the camera with confidence. The rapper ends the video with a short but vicious dance break, a brilliant throwback to her style as a performer during her live stages.

“Post Up” is CL’s first release since last year’s In the Name of Love, an EP comprising nine confident and emotional tracks that outlined her freedom from her former label YG Entertainment and her feelings about her three-year hiatus from 2016 to 2019. The rapper unveiled she will drop a brand new album and single next month and “Post Up” serves as the intro to the release.