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Rei Ami

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Rei Ami
Rei Ami (right) the snake
Born
Sarah Yeeun Lee

(1995-05-25) May 25, 1995 (age 30)
Seoul, South Korea[1]
Musical career
OriginUnited States
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
Instrument
  • Vocals
Years active2019–present
LabelsVisionary Records
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2018–present
Subscribers162K[3]
Views28,446,445[3]
Silver Play Button100,000 subscribers2020-2023[4]

Sarah Yeeun Lee (born May 25, 1995), known professionally as Rei Ami (pronounced REY-amee), is an American singer-songwriter and rapper from Seoul, South Korea. 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.

Personal life

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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, being of 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]

Musical style

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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.[8]

Career

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2019–2020: Beginnings

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Lee filmed the visualizer for her breakout single “Snowcone”[9][10] with a budget of under $100,[11][12][13] which projected to her success, signing to Visionary Records.[14][15]

2020–2024: Freak, FOIL, and more

[edit]
Behind the scenes of the "Freak" music video.

The official music video for "Freak" by Sub Urban,[16] featuring Lee,[17][18][19] was released on March 13, 2020,[17] alongside the former's EP, Thrill Seeker.[20] 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.[18]

Her debut mixtape, FOIL, released on June 25, 2021, showcases her versatility, featuring collaborations with artists like Aminé on "do it right,"[21][22] and Lolo Zouaï on "Cherry Chapstick."[23] 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.[24]

2025: KPop Demon Hunters

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Rei Ami is featured in the 2025 upcoming film KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack.[25]

Tours

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As a co-headliner

Discography

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Mixtapes

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Title Details
FOIL

EPs

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Title Details
shhh[31]

Singles

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  • "Snowcone"[11]
  • "Mac & Cheese"[23][15]
  • "Dictator"[33][34]
  • Make it mine[5]
  • body bag[35]
  • 2020: Runaway[36]
  • 2020: Bye
  • 2020: Freak (feat. Sun Urban)
  • 2021: do it right (feat. Aminé)[22]
  • 2021: That's on you!
  • 2021: F.R.A.
  • 2021: Ricky Bobby
  • 2021: Hot One (feat. Leyla Blue, Baby Tate)[37]
  • 2022: Plaything (feat. Pussy Riot, Kito)

References

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  1. ^ a b "Rei Ami". Lola Grand. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
  2. ^ Kress, Bryan (2020-09-22). "Alt-Pop Artist Rei Ami Signs With Visionary Records: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  3. ^ a b "About REI AMI". YouTube.
  4. ^ "UCqrgJZq4jMkXJ0-H5DXyM_Q Monthly YouTube Statistics". Socialblade.com. Retrieved January 23, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ a b c d Ceccarelli, Katey (August 23, 2019). "REI AMI arrives with sinister glee in "MAKE IT MINE"". Earmilk. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  6. ^ Ahlgrim, Callie (2020-02-21). "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 2025-03-29.
  7. ^ "From Battle of the Bands to newfound fame: A Q&A with REI AMI". The Diamondback. 2020-06-09. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  8. ^ Suigetsu, DJ (2020-10-18). "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 2025-03-29.
  9. ^ Murphy, Sam (2019-09-25). "Rei Ami's 'Snowcone' Puts Her Within Reach Of The Charli XCX Pop Class". The Interns. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  10. ^ Ahlgrim, Callie. "I spent the day with REI AMI, who just dropped her debut mixtape and is ready to be worshipped". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
  11. ^ a b Nazareno, Mia (2021-06-25). "One To Watch: Rei Ami Explains How a Music Video That Cost $50 Changed Her Career". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
  12. ^ ＴＲＡＳＨ 新 ドラゴン (2019-10-15). REI AMI - SNOWCONE. Retrieved 2025-03-08 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ "Rei Ami gets wet in 'Ricky Bobby' music video". liftedasia.com. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  14. ^ Kress, Bryan (2020-09-22). "Alt-Pop Artist Rei Ami Signs With Visionary Records: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
  15. ^ a b Perdomo, Ivenuel (2020-09-25). "Rei Ami Signs With Visionary Records and Teases Her Upcoming Single 'Mac and Cheese' | Glitter Magazine". glittermagazine.co. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  16. ^ Daly, Rhian (2020-04-15). "Sub Urban is the TikTok-conquering star making horror-infused, macabre pop". NME. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
  17. ^ a b Matozzo, Marissa. "Welcome to Sub Urban's Gruesome 'Freak' Show". www.papermag.com. Retrieved 2025-03-09. 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.
  18. ^ a b Leight, Elias (2020-10-12). "How Do You Predict the Next TikTok Music Hit? With a Ton of Data". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-03-30. 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.
  19. ^ Serra, Maria. "10 artists you've heard on TikTok who you actually need to listen to". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved 2025-03-09. Recently, he released his debut EP, Thrill Seeker, featuring hit single and second TikTok phenomenon "Freak" featuring REI AMI.
  20. ^ 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 2025-03-30.
  21. ^ Riddell, Rose (2021-03-05). "Listen: REI AMI's new song 'do it right' featuring Aminé". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  22. ^ a b Findlay, Mitch (2021-03-08). "REI AMI & Aminé Connect For "Do It Right"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  23. ^ a b c Ginsberg, Gab (2021-06-25). "REI AMI Breaks Down Debut Mixtape FOIL Track by Track: Exclusive". Consequence. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
  24. ^ "Tracking All the Stars in Rihanna's Savage x Fenty Vol. 2 Show". Harper's BAZAAR. 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2025-03-29. 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
  25. ^ Parlevliet, Mirko (2025-04-24). "KPop Demon Hunters First Look From Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation". Vital Thrills. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  26. ^ Hatfield, Amanda. "Tinashe announces fall tour, prepping new album '333'". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  27. ^ Folk, Antwane (2021-07-12). "Tinashe Announces '333 Tour' Dates". Rated R&B. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  28. ^ Brodsky, Rachel (2021-07-12). "Tinashe Unveils North American Fall 2021 Tour Dates". UPROXX. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  29. ^ Gwee, Karen (2024-02-22). "SXSW 2024: Thuy and SE SO NEON lead Friends:Forever showcase of Asian talent". NME. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  30. ^ Pinto, Julia (2024-03-06). "Jaded Presents FRIENDS:FOREVER Showcase at SXSW 2024". SXSW. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  31. ^ a b Go, Mayks (2024-03-15). "Rei Ami On SXSW's FRIENDS:FOREVER And Her 'Rage Pop' Music". billboardphilippines.com. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  32. ^ Maxamillion, Polo (2021-06-25). "REI AMI - Ones To Watch". Ones to Watch. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
  33. ^ "REI AMI shows her duality on Dictator". The FADER. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
  34. ^ Riddell, Rose (2020-01-23). "Interview: 2020 Must-Know - REI AMI". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  35. ^ "REI AMI Returns to Slay in Delightfully Dark Single "Body Bag"". Ones to Watch. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  36. ^ Riddell, Rose (2020-02-28). "Listen: REI AMI's new single 'Runaway'". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  37. ^ "Leyla Blue on Her "Hot One" Video With Rei Ami, Baby Tate - PAPER Magazine". www.papermag.com. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
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