Rei Ami

Rei Ami
Born
Sarah Yeeun Lee

(1995-05-25) May 25, 1995
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]
100,000 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. She was also the singing / rapping voice of Zoey from KPop Demon Hunters.

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, 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

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

2019–2020: Beginnings

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 and Foil

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

Rei Ami is featured on the soundtrack of the 2025 film KPop Demon Hunters.[25] 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

Title Details
Foil

EPs

Title Details
Shhh[31]

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[38] 		AUS
[39] 		CAN
[40] 		KOR
[41] 		MLY
[42] 		NZ
[43] 		PHL
[44] 		SGP
[45] 		UK
[46] 		WW
[47]
"How It's Done"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntr/x) 		2025 42 21 43 76 — 18 46 28 40 16 KPop Demon Hunters
"Golden"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntr/x) 		23 8 23 11 9 5 24 14 31 2
"Takedown"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntr/x) 		64 52 61 98 — 38 79 — —[A] 39
"What It Sounds Like"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntr/x) 		55 25 50 105 25 21 53 27 —[B] 27
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Notes

  1. ^ "Takedown" did not enter the Official Singles Chart, but peaked at number 100 on the Official Singles Downloads chart.[46]
  2. ^ "What It Sounds Like" did not enter the Official Singles Chart, but peaked at number 44 on the Official Singles Sales chart.[46]

References

  1. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "About REI AMI". YouTube.
  4. ^ "UCqrgJZq4jMkXJ0-H5DXyM_Q Monthly YouTube Statistics". Socialblade.com. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d 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. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  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 March 8, 2025.
  11. ^ a b 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.
  12. ^ ＴＲＡＳＨ 新 ドラゴン (October 15, 2019). REI AMI - SNOWCONE. Retrieved March 8, 2025 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ "Rei Ami gets wet in 'Ricky Bobby' music video". liftedasia.com. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  14. ^ Kress, Bryan (September 22, 2020). "Alt-Pop Artist Rei Ami Signs With Visionary Records: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  15. ^ a b 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.
  16. ^ Daly, Rhian (April 15, 2020). "Sub Urban is the TikTok-conquering star making horror-infused, macabre pop". NME. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  17. ^ a b 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.
  18. ^ a b 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.
  19. ^ 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.
  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 March 30, 2025.
  21. ^ Riddell, Rose (March 5, 2021). "Listen: REI AMI's new song 'do it right' featuring Aminé". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  22. ^ a b Findlay, Mitch (March 8, 2021). "REI AMI & Aminé Connect For "Do It Right"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c Ginsberg, Gab (June 25, 2021). "REI AMI Breaks Down Debut Mixtape FOIL Track by Track: Exclusive". Consequence. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  24. ^ "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
  25. ^ Parlevliet, Mirko (April 24, 2025). "KPop Demon Hunters First Look From Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation". Vital Thrills. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  26. ^ Hatfield, Amanda. "Tinashe announces fall tour, prepping new album '333'". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  27. ^ Folk, Antwane (July 12, 2021). "Tinashe Announces '333 Tour' Dates". Rated R&B. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  28. ^ Brodsky, Rachel (July 12, 2021). "Tinashe Unveils North American Fall 2021 Tour Dates". UPROXX. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  29. ^ Gwee, Karen (February 22, 2024). "SXSW 2024: Thuy and SE SO NEON lead Friends:Forever showcase of Asian talent". NME. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  30. ^ Pinto, Julia (March 6, 2024). "Jaded Presents FRIENDS:FOREVER Showcase at SXSW 2024". SXSW. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  31. ^ a b Go, Mayks (March 15, 2024). "Rei Ami On SXSW's FRIENDS:FOREVER And Her 'Rage Pop' Music". billboardphilippines.com. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  32. ^ Maxamillion, Polo (June 25, 2021). "REI AMI - Ones To Watch". Ones to Watch. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  33. ^ "REI AMI shows her duality on Dictator". The Fader. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  34. ^ Riddell, Rose (January 23, 2020). "Interview: 2020 Must-Know - Rei Ami". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  35. ^ Riddell, Rose (February 28, 2020). "Listen: Rei Ami's new single 'Runaway'". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  36. ^ "Leyla Blue on Her "Hot One" Video With Rei Ami, Baby Tate". Paper. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  37. ^ "Rei Ami Returns to Slay in Delightfully Dark Single "Body Bag"". Ones to Watch. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  38. ^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of July 12, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  39. ^ Peaks in Australia:
  40. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of July 12, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  41. ^ "Digital Chart: 2025 Weeks 27". Circle Chart. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  42. ^ "Malaysia Songs: Week of July 5, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  43. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. July 4, 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  44. ^ "Philippines Hot 100: Week of July 5, 2025". Billboard Philippines. July 5, 2025. Archived from the original on July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  45. ^ "The Official Singapore Charts Week 26 (20 - 26 Jun 2025)". RIAS. Archived from the original on July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  46. ^ a b c "HUNTR/X/EJAE/AUDREY NUNA/REI songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  47. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of July 12, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
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