Rei Ami

Last updated

Rei Ami
Birth nameSarah Yeeun Lee
Born (1995-05-25) May 25, 1995 (age 30)
Seoul, South Korea [1]
Origin Maryland, United States
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • voice actress
InstrumentVocals
Years active2019–present
Labels Visionary Records
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2018–present
Subscribers162K [3]
Views28,446,445 [3]
YouTube Silver Play Button 2.svg100,000 subscribers2020-2023 [4]

Sarah Yeeun Lee (born May 25, 1995), known professionally as Rei Ami (pronounced RAY-ah-MEE), is a Korean-American singer, rapper and voice actress. 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 from KPop Demon Hunters .

Contents

Personal life

Lee was born on May 25, 1995 in Seoul, South Korea [5] and relocated to Maryland, United States [5] with her family at six years old. From a devout Christian household, [5] she would start music with the instruments piano and guitar. Her parents paid for tutoring making sure she would perform at church services. [1] 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. [6] Rei was an alumna of University of Maryland before she started her musical career. [7] . Rei Ami is a self proclaimed anime fan, and in a Tik Tok, attributed her stage name to the Sailor Moon characters Hino Rei, and Mizuno Ami; the civilian identities of Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury respectively. [8]

Musical style

Rei Ami's music is characterized by its unpredictability and genre-blending sound. Her unique style has earned her a dedicated fanbase and recognition within the music industry. [9]

Career

2019–2020: Beginnings

Lee filmed the visualizer for her breakout single “Snowcone” [10] [11] with a budget of under $100, [12] [13] [14] which projected to her success, signing to Visionary Records. [15] [16]

2020–2024: Freak and Foil

Behind the scenes of the "Freak" music video. Freakbts.jpg
Behind the scenes of the "Freak" music video.

The official music video for "Freak" by Sub Urban, [17] featuring Lee, [18] [19] [20] was released on March 13, 2020, [18] alongside the former's EP, Thrill Seeker . [21] 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. [19]

Her debut mixtape, Foil, released on June 25, 2021, showcases her versatility, featuring collaborations with artists like Aminé on "Do It Right", [22] [23] and Lolo Zouaï on "Cherry Chapstick". [24] 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. [25]

2025: KPop Demon Hunters

Rei Ami is featured on the soundtrack of the 2025 film KPop Demon Hunters . [26] She voices 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).

Tours

As a co-headliner

Discography

Mixtapes

TitleDetails
Foil

EPs

TitleDetails
Shhh [32]

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[40] 		AUS
[41] 		CAN
[42] 		KOR
[43] 		MLY
[44] 		NZ
[45] 		PHL
Hot
[46] 		SGP
[47] 		UK
[48] 		WW
[49]
"How It's Done"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntr/x)		20258791098129295 KPop Demon Hunters
"Golden"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntr/x)		1111112111
"Takedown"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntr/x)		2115253718182413— [A] 11
"What It Sounds Like"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntr/x)		15121544710179— [B] 7
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2025 K-World Dream Awards Best OST"Golden" (with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntr/x)Won [54]
MTV Video Music Awards Song of Summer Nominated [55]

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. [48]
  2. ↑ "What It Sounds Like" did not enter the Official Singles Chart, but peaked at number 7 on the Official Singles Sales and number 14 on the Streaming chart. [48]

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 "About REI AMI". YouTube.
  4. ↑ "UCqrgJZq4jMkXJ0-H5DXyM_Q Monthly YouTube Statistics". Socialblade.com . Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Ceccarelli, Katey (August 23, 2019). "REI AMI arrives with sinister glee in "MAKE IT MINE"". Earmilk. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ "From Battle of the Bands to newfound fame: A Q&A with REI AMI". The Diamondback. June 9, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  8. ↑ https://www.tiktok.com/@rei.ami/video/7528930294997601567?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7516969574152291854
  9. ↑ Suigetsu, DJ (October 18, 2020). "88risingも注目するLo-Fiなエモ系コリアンアメリカンラッパー REI AMI | DJ水月の変わってそうで変わってない少し変わった音楽". djsuigetsu.com (in Japanese). Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. 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.
  13. ↑ ＴＲＡＳＨ 新 ドラゴン (October 15, 2019). REI AMI - SNOWCONE . Retrieved March 8, 2025– via YouTube.
  14. ↑ "Rei Ami gets wet in 'Ricky Bobby' music video". liftedasia.com. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  15. ↑ Kress, Bryan (September 22, 2020). "Alt-Pop Artist Rei Ami Signs With Visionary Records: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  16. 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.
  17. ↑ Daly, Rhian (April 15, 2020). "Sub Urban is the TikTok-conquering star making horror-infused, macabre pop". NME. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ 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.
  22. ↑ Riddell, Rose (March 5, 2021). "Listen: REI AMI's new song 'do it right' featuring Aminé". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  23. 1 2 Findlay, Mitch (March 8, 2021). "REI AMI & Aminé Connect For "Do It Right"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  24. 1 2 3 Ginsberg, Gab (June 25, 2021). "REI AMI Breaks Down Debut Mixtape FOIL Track by Track: Exclusive". Consequence. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  25. ↑ "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
  26. ↑ Parlevliet, Mirko (April 24, 2025). "KPop Demon Hunters First Look From Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation". Vital Thrills. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  27. ↑ Hatfield, Amanda. "Tinashe announces fall tour, prepping new album '333'". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  28. ↑ Folk, Antwane (July 12, 2021). "Tinashe Announces '333 Tour' Dates". Rated R&B. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  29. ↑ Brodsky, Rachel (July 12, 2021). "Tinashe Unveils North American Fall 2021 Tour Dates". UPROXX. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  30. ↑ Gwee, Karen (February 22, 2024). "SXSW 2024: Thuy and SE SO NEON lead Friends:Forever showcase of Asian talent". NME. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  31. ↑ Pinto, Julia (March 6, 2024). "Jaded Presents FRIENDS:FOREVER Showcase at SXSW 2024". SXSW. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  32. 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.
  33. ↑ Maxamillion, Polo (June 25, 2021). "REI AMI - Ones To Watch". Ones to Watch. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  34. ↑ "REI AMI shows her duality on Dictator". The Fader. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  35. ↑ Riddell, Rose (January 23, 2020). "Interview: 2020 Must-Know - Rei Ami". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  36. ↑ Riddell, Rose (February 28, 2020). "Listen: Rei Ami's new single 'Runaway'". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  37. ↑ "Leyla Blue on Her "Hot One" Video With Rei Ami, Baby Tate". Paper . Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Rei Ami Returns to Slay in Delightfully Dark Single "Body Bag"". Ones to Watch. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Dillon Francis - This Mixtape is Fire TOO". Spotify.
  40. ↑ "Huntr/x: Ejae, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  41. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Huntr/x: Ejae, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami Chart History (Billboard Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Digital Chart: 2025 Weeks 30". Circle Chart . Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  44. ↑ "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]
  45. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Huntr/x: Ejae, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami Chart History (Billboard Philippines Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  47. ↑ Peaks on the Official Singapore Chart:
  48. 1 2 3 "HUNTR/X/EJAE/AUDREY NUNA/REI songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  49. ↑ "Huntr/x: Ejae, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami Chart History (Billboard Global 200)". Billboard . Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  50. ↑ "British single certifications – Huntr/X/Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei – How It's Done". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  51. 1 2 3 "New Zealand single certifications – KPop Demon Hunters Cast". Radioscope. Retrieved August 22, 2025.Type KPop Demon Hunters Cast in the "Search:" field.
  52. ↑ "British single certifications – Huntr/X/Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei – Golden". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  53. ↑ "Canadian certifications – Kpop Demon Hunters". Music Canada . Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  54. ↑ 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.
  55. ↑ 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.
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