Rei Ami

Last updated

Rei Ami
ANYC25 from YouTube video by TBC - Rei Ami with Zoey cosplayer 02 (cropped).jpg
Rei Ami at Anime NYC in 2025
Background information
Born
Sarah Yeeun Lee

(1995-05-25) May 25, 1995 (age 30)
Seoul, South Korea [1]
Origin Germantown, Maryland, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • rapper
InstrumentVocals
Years active2019–present
Labels Visionary Records
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2018–present
Genre music
Subscribers211 thousand
Views31,516,927 million
Last updated: december 4, 2025

Sarah Yeeun Lee (born May 25, 1995), known professionally as Rei Ami (pronounced RAY-AH-mee [3] ), is an American singer and rapper. Initially presenting a rap sound, she released her debut studio album, Foil, and later rose to prominence with the song "Freak" with Sub Urban in 2020, which gained virality on TikTok. She is also known for providing the singing voice for the character Zoey in the film KPop Demon Hunters . "Golden", one of the songs she co-performed for the film, topped the Billboard Hot 100, as well as charts in several other countries.

Contents

Early life

Lee was born on May 25, 1995 in Seoul, South Korea [4] and relocated to Germantown, Maryland, United States [4] with her family at six years old. She graduated from Northwest High School in Germantown, Maryland in 2014. From a devout Christian household, [4] she would start music with the instruments piano and guitar. Her parents paid for tutoring making sure she would perform at church services. [1] Rei graduated from University of Maryland, College Park in 2018, [5] before she started her musical career. [6]

Career

visualizer music video of the song "Trippin' Toddlers" by Rei Ami

In 2019, Lee filmed the visualizer for her breakout single "Snowcone" [7] [8] with a budget of under $100, [9] [10] [11] which projected to her success, signing to Visionary Records. [12] [13]

2020–2024: Freak and Foil

The official music video for "Freak" by Sub Urban, [14] featuring Lee, [15] [16] [17] was released on March 13, 2020, [15] alongside the former's EP, Thrill Seeker . [18] The video, which was directed by Andrew Donoho, has a circus-themed background. Rei Ami is depicted as a snake-human hybrid. On YouTube, the video has had over 292 million views and over 3.5 million videos on TikTok. [16]

Her debut mixtape, Foil, released on June 25, 2021, showcases her versatility, featuring collaborations with artists like Aminé on "Do It Right", [19] [20] and Lolo Zouaï on "Cherry Chapstick". [21] The project underscores her ability to seamlessly navigate between assertive rap verses and melodic pop hooks. Lee was also featured on Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Show. [22]

2025: KPop Demon Hunters

Rei Ami is featured on the soundtrack of the 2025 film KPop Demon Hunters . [23] She provides the singing and rapping vocals for the character Zoey, in the songs "Golden", "How It's Done", "What It Sounds Like", and "Takedown" (soundtrack version).

Personal life

Beyond her musical endeavors, Rei Ami has been candid about her personal challenges, including her diagnosis with depression during her freshman year of college. She credits music as a therapeutic outlet that has helped her navigate mental health struggles. [24]

Rei Ami is a self proclaimed anime fan, and in a TikTok, attributed her stage name to the Sailor Moon characters Hino Rei, and Mizuno Ami, the civilian identities of Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury, respectively. [3]

Discography

Mixtapes

TitleDetails
Foil

EPs

TitleDetails
Shhh [26]

Singles

As lead artist

TitleYearAlbum
"Make It Mine" [4] 2019Non-album single
"Snowcone" [9]
"Dictator" [27] [28]
"Runaway" [29] 2020
"Mac & Cheese" [21] [13]
"Do It Right" [20]

featuring Aminé

2021Foil
"That's on You!"
"F.R.A."
"Ricky Bobby"
"Hot One" [30]

featuring Leyla Blue and Baby Tate

Non-album single
"Plaything"

featuring Pussy Riot and Kito

2022
"Body Bag" [31] 2023Shhh

As featured artist

TitleYearDetails
"Freak" (Sub Urban featuring Rei Ami)2020Non-album single
"Bye" (Marsha Ambrosius featuring Rei Ami)
"Rainy" (Dillon Francis featuring Rei Ami) [32] 2023This Mixtape Is Fire Too
"I See Red" (lilbubblegum featuring Rei Ami)2024Non-album single

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[33] 		AUS
[34] 		CAN
[35] 		KOR
[36] 		MLY
[37] 		NZ
[38] 		PHL
Hot
[39] 		SGP
[40] 		UK
[41] 		WW
[42]
"How It's Done"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntrix)		2025879109812995 KPop Demon Hunters
"Golden"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntrix)		1111112111
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum [43]
  • ARIA: 4× Platinum [44]
  • BPI: 2× Platinum [47]
  • MC: 2× Platinum [48]
  • RMNZ: 2× Platinum [46]
"Takedown"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntrix)		2115253718182413— [A] 11
"What It Sounds Like"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntrix)		15121544710178137
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2025 KPop Demon Hunters Zoey (singing voice) Netflix original movie [51]
Saturday Night Live Herself [B] Season 51, Episode 1
Cameo		 [52]
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon HerselfGuest and live performer [B] [53]
99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Herself [B] Live performance [54]
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve Herself [B] Live performance [55]

Tours

As a co-headliner

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2025 Asia Artist Awards Best OST"Golden" [B] Won [61]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards Song – Onscreen Performance (Film)Nominated [62]
K-World Dream Awards Best OSTWon [63]
Korea Grand Music Awards Best Virtual ArtistNominated [64]
Los 40 Music Awards Best International New Artist Huntrix [B] Won [65]
MAMA Awards Best OST "Golden" [B] Won [66]
MTV Video Music Awards Song of Summer Nominated [67]
Melon Music Awards Song of the Year Pending [68]
Best OST Pending
Variety Hitmakers Awards Variety's HitmakersRei Ami [B] Honored [69]
2026 Gold Derby Music Awards Record of the Year"Golden" [B] Pending [70]
Grammy Awards Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Pending [71] [72]

Notes

  1. ↑ "Takedown" did not enter the Official Singles Chart, but peaked at number 20 on the Official Singles Sales and number 16 on the Streaming charts. [41]
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntrix

References

  1. 1 2 "Rei Ami". Lola Grand. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  2. ↑ Kress, Bryan (September 22, 2020). "Alt-Pop Artist Rei Ami Signs With Visionary Records: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Rei Ami [@rei.ami] (July 19, 2025). my lore pt 1 . Retrieved October 8, 2025– via TikTok.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Ceccarelli, Katey (August 23, 2019). "REI AMI arrives with sinister glee in "MAKE IT MINE"". Earmilk. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  5. ↑ Case, Wesley (October 14, 2025). "That 'KPop Demon Hunters' song stuck in your head? A Marylander sings it". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  6. ↑ "From Battle of the Bands to newfound fame: A Q&A with REI AMI". The Diamondback. June 9, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  7. ↑ Murphy, Sam (September 25, 2019). "Rei Ami's 'Snowcone' Puts Her Within Reach Of The Charli XCX Pop Class". The Interns. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  8. ↑ Ahlgrim, Callie. "I spent the day with REI AMI, who just dropped her debut mixtape and is ready to be worshipped". Business Insider. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Nazareno, Mia (June 25, 2021). "One To Watch: Rei Ami Explains How a Music Video That Cost $50 Changed Her Career". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  10. ↑ ＴＲＡＳＨ 新 ドラゴン (October 15, 2019). REI AMI - SNOWCONE . Retrieved March 8, 2025– via YouTube.
  11. ↑ "Rei Ami gets wet in 'Ricky Bobby' music video". liftedasia.com. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  12. ↑ Kress, Bryan (September 22, 2020). "Alt-Pop Artist Rei Ami Signs With Visionary Records: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  13. 1 2 Perdomo, Ivenuel (September 25, 2020). "Rei Ami Signs With Visionary Records and Teases Her Upcoming Single 'Mac and Cheese' | Glitter Magazine". glittermagazine.co. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  14. ↑ Daly, Rhian (April 15, 2020). "Sub Urban is the TikTok-conquering star making horror-infused, macabre pop". NME. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Matozzo, Marissa. "Welcome to Sub Urban's Gruesome 'Freak' Show". www.papermag.com. Retrieved March 9, 2025. The track itself incorporates the spine-chilling melodies and experimental vocalizations he is becoming recognized for, and also features a solo from South Korean hip-hop artist REI AMI.
  16. 1 2 Leight, Elias (October 12, 2020). "How Do You Predict the Next TikTok Music Hit? With a Ton of Data". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 30, 2025. In mid-August, the dominoes started to fall, a number of TikTok's biggest names used "Freak" in videos, and the track is currently on its way to becoming Sub Urban's second hit, with more than 3.5 million TikTok videos.
  17. ↑ Serra, Maria. "10 artists you've heard on TikTok who you actually need to listen to". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved March 9, 2025. Recently, he released his debut EP, Thrill Seeker, featuring hit single and second TikTok phenomenon "Freak" featuring REI AMI.
  18. ↑ Audio, A. B. C. "Sub Urban brings tentacles to a gunfight in new video for "Cirque"". South Central Illinois' News, Sports and Weather Station. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  19. ↑ Riddell, Rose (March 5, 2021). "Listen: REI AMI's new song 'do it right' featuring Aminé". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  20. 1 2 Findlay, Mitch (March 8, 2021). "REI AMI & Aminé Connect For "Do It Right"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  21. 1 2 3 Ginsberg, Gab (June 25, 2021). "REI AMI Breaks Down Debut Mixtape FOIL Track by Track: Exclusive". Consequence. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Tracking All the Stars in Rihanna's Savage x Fenty Vol. 2 Show". Harper's BAZAAR. October 2, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2025. Sean Lyles, Lyric Mariah, Tabria Majors, Aleali May, Sage White, Memphis Murphy, Vanessa Romo, Rei Ami, Miss 5th Ave, James Baek, Souizz, and Margie Plus - Number 31
  23. ↑ Parlevliet, Mirko (April 24, 2025). "KPop Demon Hunters First Look From Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation". Vital Thrills. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  24. ↑ Ahlgrim, Callie (February 21, 2020). "REI AMI was the 'Asian Hannah Montana,' until her coworkers discovered she's a pop star who raps about assassins and sugar daddies". Business Insider. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  25. ↑ Maxamillion, Polo (June 25, 2021). "REI AMI - Ones To Watch". Ones to Watch. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  26. 1 2 Go, Mayks (March 15, 2024). "Rei Ami On SXSW's FRIENDS:FOREVER And Her 'Rage Pop' Music". billboardphilippines.com. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  27. ↑ "REI AMI shows her duality on Dictator". The Fader. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  28. ↑ Riddell, Rose (January 23, 2020). "Interview: 2020 Must-Know - Rei Ami". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  29. ↑ Riddell, Rose (February 28, 2020). "Listen: Rei Ami's new single 'Runaway'". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Leyla Blue on Her "Hot One" Video With Rei Ami, Baby Tate". Paper . Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Rei Ami Returns to Slay in Delightfully Dark Single "Body Bag"". Ones to Watch. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Dillon Francis - This Mixtape is Fire TOO". Spotify.
  33. ↑ "Huntr/x: Ejae, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  34. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Huntr/x: Ejae, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami Chart History (Billboard Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Digital Chart: 2025 Weeks 30". Circle Chart . Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  37. ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Malaysia Chart Top 20 from 07/04/2025 to 07/10/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 15, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 28]
  38. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Huntr/x: Ejae, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami Chart History (Billboard Philippines Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  40. ↑ Peaks on the Official Singapore Chart:
  41. 1 2 "Huntr/x/Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Huntr/x: Ejae, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami Chart History (Billboard Global 200)". Billboard . Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  43. 1 2 3 "American single certifications – Huntr/x". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  44. 1 2 3 4 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2025 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  45. ↑ "British single certifications – Huntr/X/Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei – How It's Done". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  46. 1 2 3 4 "New Zealand single certifications – KPop Demon Hunters Cast". Radioscope. Retrieved October 2, 2025.Type KPop Demon Hunters Cast in the "Search:" fieldand press Enter.
  47. ↑ "British single certifications – Huntr/X/Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei – Golden". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  48. ↑ "Canadian certifications – Kpop Demon Hunters". Music Canada . Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  49. ↑ "British single certifications – Huntr/X/Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei – Takedown". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  50. ↑ "British single certifications – Huntr/X/Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei – What It Sounds Like". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  51. ↑ "Who sing for Huntrix and Saja Boys? Meet the Korean industry insiders, rising stars behind Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters'". June 26, 2025. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  52. ↑ "'SNL': 'KPop Demon Hunters' Singers Give Surprise Performance In Skit Sending Up Popular Netflix Film". October 4, 2025. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  53. ↑ Luxford, Victoria. "'KPop Demon Hunters' stars debut 'Golden' live on Jimmy Fallon" (Article). Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  54. ↑ Peters, Michelle. "HUNTR/X Brings 'KPop Demon Hunters' to 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade With 'Golden' Performance" (Article). Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  55. ↑ Cha, E. "LE SSERAFIM And HUNTR/X's Singing Voices To Perform On "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve"" (Article). Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  56. ↑ Hatfield, Amanda. "Tinashe announces fall tour, prepping new album '333'". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  57. ↑ Folk, Antwane (July 12, 2021). "Tinashe Announces '333 Tour' Dates". Rated R&B. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  58. ↑ Brodsky, Rachel (July 12, 2021). "Tinashe Unveils North American Fall 2021 Tour Dates". UPROXX. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  59. ↑ Gwee, Karen (February 22, 2024). "SXSW 2024: Thuy and SE SO NEON lead Friends:Forever showcase of Asian talent". NME. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  60. ↑ Pinto, Julia (March 6, 2024). "Jaded Presents FRIENDS:FOREVER Showcase at SXSW 2024". SXSW. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  61. ↑ Abraham, Hannah (December 6, 2025). "Asia Artist Awards 2025 Winners List: IU, Stray Kids, And IVE Win Big At 10th Anniversary Ceremony". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 7, 2025. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  62. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (November 5, 2025). "'Wicked: For Good', 'Sinners' & 'F1' Lead Hollywood Music In Media Awards Nominations". Deadline . Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  63. ↑ Grover, Ashima (August 21, 2025). "2025 K-World Dream Awards winners: Stray Kids, IVE's Wonyoung on popularity high; aespa, Seventeen snag Best Album". The Financial Express . Archived from the original on August 21, 2025. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  64. ↑ "2025 Main Voting Result". Korea Grand Music Awards . Archived from the original on November 21, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  65. ↑ Benito, Alba (October 16, 2025). "Estos son todos los nominados a LOS40 Music Awards Santander 2025" (in Spanish). Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  66. ↑ Kim, Yeon-ju (November 29, 2025). '케데헌', '2025 마마 어워즈' 2관왕 달성 ['KDH' achieves two awards at the '2025 MAMA Awards']. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  67. ↑ Grein, Paul (August 29, 2025). "Tate McRae, Sabrina Carpenter & More Nominated in Social Categories at 2025 VMAs: Full List". Variety . Archived from the original on August 29, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  68. ↑ "2025 Melon Music Awards nominees: Seventeen, Jennie race for Album of the Year; US artists make the cut". December 5, 2025. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  69. ↑ Aswad, Jem (November 18, 2025). "Tate McRae, the Marías, Buddy Guy, Alex Warren and KPop Demon Hunters to Be Honored at Variety's Ninth Annual Hitmakers Event". Variety . Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  70. ↑ Sullivan, Kevin P. (December 4, 2025). "Lady Gaga leads Gold Derby Music Awards nominations". Gold Derby . Archived from the original on December 5, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  71. ↑ Davidson, Denton (November 7, 2025). "2026 Grammy nominations: Full list (updating live)". Gold Derby. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  72. ↑ "Rei Ami | Artist | GRAMMY.com". The Recording Academy . Retrieved November 9, 2025.
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