Lee Ye-ji(Korean:이예지;born August 26, 1994),[1][2]better known by her stage nameYezi,is a South Korean rapper and singer. She debuted as a member of South Korean girl groupFiestarin 2012. Yezi was a semi-finalist onUnpretty Rapstar 2in 2015, during which she released several singles. Her debut solomaxi single,Foresight Dream,was released on January 28, 2016.
Yezi | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Lee Ye-ji |
Born | Gangneung,South Korea | August 26, 1994
Genres | |
Occupations |
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Instruments |
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Years active | 2012–present |
Labels |
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Member of | Fiestar |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 이예지 |
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Revised Romanization | I Yeji |
McCune–Reischauer | I Yeji |
Early life and career
editYezi was born inGangneung,Gangwon Province and grew up there. She was a student at Kang Won-rae Dance School and learned dancing fromClon.[3]She traveled four hours to Seoul every weekend to perform as abackup dancerfor singers such asPark Mi-kyung andHong Kyung-min.[4]Her parents were originally against her working in the entertainment industry, but changed their minds when they saw how much Yezi was advancing, and she moved to Seoul in her second year of middle school.[5]
Yezi auditioned atLOEN Entertainmentafter one of their trainees saw her videos posted onCyworld.The videos were the two most popular on the social network at the time, and showed Yezi singing and dancing.[6]Yezi became interested in rap while listening to rapperYoon Mi-rae.[6]After training at LOEN for three years, she debuted in the new girl groupFiestarin August 2012.[7][8]
Solo career
edit2015–2017:Unpretty Rapstar 2and solo debut
editIn September 2015, it was announced that Yezi was part of the lineup ofMnet'sUnpretty Rapstar 2.The show is the second season of the television series,Unpretty Rapstar,a competition for female rappers.[9]She was initially disliked by viewers because she kept asking others to repeat themselves; it was later revealed she told Mnet staff her hearing is "not that good".[10] She then criticized the show's producers in herfreestyle rap,[11]which was edited out and not broadcast. Yezi became popular with viewers after her bold performance of "Crazy Dog" in the third episode.[12][13]She was eliminated in episode eight, but returned for the semi-final after winning a revival round.
Two of Yezi's performances were released as singles during the show: "Solo (Remix)" (featuringJay ParkandLoco) and "Listen Up" (featuringHanhae). Both songs charted on theGaon Digital Chart,at numbers 16 and 27, respectively.[14][15]Yezi was not well known as a member of Fiestar, and had significantly more public recognition afterUnpretty Rapstar.[13][16]She stated: "Before the show, people were like 'I think I saw her somewhere', but now people recognize me immediately, even if I'm not wearing my performance clothes."[13]Her fans appreciated her "fierce" rapping style and "bad girl" image.[17][18]
Yezi pre-released a new version of "Crazy Dog" on December 11, 2015. It was produced by Rhymer ofBrand New Musicand featuresSan E,one of the judges onUnpretty Rapstar.[17]Her debutmaxi single,Foresight Dream,was released on January 28, 2016. It was produced by Rhymer and has four songs, including "Cider", which was promoted on variousmusic shows.[19]Another song, "Sse Sse Sse", features fellow contestantsGilme,KittiBand Ahn Soo-min.[16]
On 23 December 2015, Yezi released a promotional single titled "Z-Noid" for the gameCounter-Strike Onlineand also filmed a music video.
On 7 July 2016, Yezi also featured on the soundtrack forWanted (South Korean TV series)in a song titled "Shadow" alongsideJung Chae-yeon.On 8 September, she released a single which called "Chase" with singerBabylon.The Jazz version was released at 12 noon on the same day.
On 24 May 2017, Yezi released her second digital single "Anck Su Namum". This album marked her first producer credit since debut for an album of her own, accompanied by her usual composition and writing credit.Shinsadong Tigeris the co-producer of this album.
2018–present: Solo career with JG Star
editOn May 25, 2018, Yezi's girl group, Fiestar, disbanded after five years of activity as the members did not sign contracts withFave Entertainmentagain.[20]All members decided to go their separate ways upon leaving the company. Yezi would feature on singles byJung In,YONGZOO,and her former labelmate, NANO (History's Jaeho), before signing with a new management agency.
On July 2, 2019, JG Star Entertainment announced that Yezi had signed with their agency.[21]Her first single under the agency, "My Gravity," was released on January 30, 2020.
On October 18, 2020, Yezi appeared on a popular Korean show,The King of Mask Singer,singing songs such asBTS'"Dynamite" andLee Hi's "Rose" to announce her return and wanting to be seen as a multi-talented musician rather than a rapper with just a "strong image." She hopes to collaborate with artistYoon Sangsomeday, inspired by his collaboration with former labelmateIU.[22]
Yezi would go on to subsequently release various singles such as "Home," "Mimew (미묘( mê miêu ))", "Raining All Night," "Secreto," and "No Name," showcasing her versatile talent in rapping, vocals, and dance.[citation needed]
Her most recent single, "Acacia," released on June 12, 2022. Yezi participated in writing and composing songs, "Mimew (미묘( mê miêu ))," "Raining All Night," and, "Acacia."[23]
Discography
editSingle albums
editTitle | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
---|---|---|---|
KOR [24] | |||
Foresight Dream |
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19 |
|
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Singles
editTitle | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
KOR [26] | |||||
"Such a Woman" (Ziafeaturing Yezi) |
2014 | — | After 11 Days | ||
"Don't Stop" (Unpretty Rapstar 2contestants) |
2015 | 17 | Unpretty Rapstar 2 Compilation | ||
"Solo (Remix)" (featuringJay ParkandLoco) |
16 | ||||
"Listen Up"함부로 해줘) (featuringHanhae) |
27 | ||||
"Crazy Dog"(미친개) (featuringSan E) |
45 | Foresight Dream | |||
"Cider"(사이다) | 2016 | 51 | |||
"Chase"(끌려다녀) (featuringBabylon) |
108 | Non-album singles | |||
"Anck Su Namum"(아낙수나문) | 2017 | — | |||
"I Love You Even Though I Hate You"(미워도 사랑하니까) (as Tango Girl) |
— | King of Mask Singer Episode 111 | |||
"Runaway"(도망가) (with Sool J and ultimadrap) |
— | Non-album singles | |||
"Love Me"(날 사랑해요) (withJung In) |
2018 | — | |||
"In Your Eyes"(눈을 맞추면) (withYONGZOO) |
— | ||||
"My Gravity" | 2020 | — | |||
"Home" | — | ||||
"Home (Fenner Remix)" | — | ||||
"Mimew"(미묘( mê miêu )) | — | ||||
"Raining All Night" | — | ||||
"Secreto" | 2021 | —[a] | |||
"No Name" | 2022 | — | |||
"Acacia"(아카시아) | —[b] | ||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Album participations
editTitle | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"Sobok Sobok"(소복소복) (Soheefeat. Yezi) |
2017 | The Fillette |
"It's my mind"(내 맴) (withLEandNC.A) |
Hip Hop Tribe 2: FINAL ll | |
"Love Me (Remastered)"(날 사랑해요) (withJung In) |
2018 | A-jae Sensibility |
"Maladjustment"(부적응) (NANO feat. Yezi, Prod. J.pearl) |
& |
Soundtrack appearances
editTitle | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
---|---|---|---|---|
KOR [26] | ||||
"Shadow"(그림자) (withJung Chae-yeon) |
2016 | — | Wanted OST Part 3 | |
"In Your Eyes (Drama Ver.)"(눈을 맞추면) (withYONGZOO) |
2018 | — | Are You Human? OST Part 7 | |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^Kim Ji-yeon (January 18, 2016)."[인터뷰] 예지" 갓예지? 미친개예지로 불러달라 "".enews24(in Korean).RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^"피에스타 – My name is 차오루, 예지"[Fiestar – My name is Cao Lu, Yezi].TenAsia(in Korean). September 19, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon October 22, 2012.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^Seo Byeong-gi (December 15, 2015)."'언프리티 랩스타2'참가 '피에스타' 예지… "나 자신에 막말…솔직해서 시원하대요"".Herald Business(in Korean).RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^Jang Mi-ran (March 9, 2016)."'주간아이돌' 예지 "과거 홍경민 박미경 댄서출신""['Weekly Idol' Yezi "In the past, backup dancer for Hong Kyung-min and Park Mi-kyung" ].Newsen(in Korean).RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^"A Reversal of Six Personalities. Let's play, FIESTAR!".HIM(in Korean). Seoul, South Korea. November 2012 – via Daily Kpop News.
- ^abLee Min-ji (January 2, 2016)."Yezi Says She Hopes 2016 Will Be Fiestar′s Year".Newsen.CJ E&M.Archived fromthe originalon May 31, 2016.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^Gil Hye-jeong (December 7, 2015)."예지" '언프리티랩스타2', 후회없이 해보고 싶었다 "(인터뷰①)"[Yezi, "I wanted to go all out with no regrets in 'Unpretty Rapstar 2'" ].Star News(in Korean).RetrievedMay 2,2016.
- ^Ho, Stewart (August 31, 2012)."[Video] Fiestar Drops Debut MV for 'Vista' Featuring JYJ's Kim Junsu".enewsWorld.CJ E&M.Archived fromthe originalon May 31, 2016.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^Won Ho-jung (September 8, 2015)."'Unpretty Rapstar' presents Vol. 2 with 11 rappers ".The Korea Herald.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^Jo Eun-mi (October 3, 2015)."'악마의 편집' 셀프 인증한 엠넷 '언프리티 랩스타'"[Mnet acknowledges 'Devil's editing' on 'Unpretty Rapstar'].Insight(in Korean). Archived fromthe originalon June 1, 2016.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^Lee, Madeleine (December 1, 2015)."2015 Was Korean Rap's Breakthrough Year".Noisey.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^Yi, Yoonjung (December 4, 2015)."FIESTAR Yezi to Release New Track 'Crazy Dog' Before Official Solo Debut".BNT News.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^abcKim Yena (December 17, 2015)."[bnt interview] 'Crazy Dog' Yezi," No Regrets "".BNT News.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^"2015년 42주차 Digital Chart"(in Korean). Gaon Chart. October 15, 2015.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^"2015년 48주차 Digital Chart"(in Korean). Gaon Chart. November 26, 2015.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^abWon Ho-jung (January 29, 2016)."[Album Review] Yezi goes hard on solo debut".The Korea Herald.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^ab"'Unpretty Rapstar' Yezi to drop 'Crazy Dog' featuring SanE ".K-Pop Herald.December 9, 2015.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^Yi, Yoonjung (December 11, 2015)."Fiestar Yezi to Release 'Crazy Dog' Prior to Her Solo Debut!".BNT News.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^Lee, JinHo (January 28, 2016)."Super Junior′s Ryeowook and Fiestar′s Yezi to Fly Solo on ′M COUNTDOWN′ Today (1-28)".enewsWorld.CJ E&M.Archived fromthe originalon February 14, 2016.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^"FIESTAR's Contract With Agency Ends + Members Go Separate Ways".Soompi.RetrievedJune 3,2022.
- ^"FIESTAR's Yezi Signs With New Agency".Soompi.RetrievedJune 3,2022.
- ^"Former Girl Group Rapper And Solo Artist Shows Off Soulful Voice On" The King Of Mask Singer "".Soompi.RetrievedJune 3,2022.
- ^"예지".멜론(in Korean).RetrievedJune 3,2022.
- ^"2016년 05주차 Album Chart"(in Korean). Gaon Chart. February 11, 2016.RetrievedMay 1,2016.
- ^"2016년 02월 Album Chart"(in Korean). Gaon Chart. March 2016. p. 2.RetrievedAugust 4,2016.
- ^ab"Gaon Digital Chart".Gaon Music Chart(in Korean).RetrievedMarch 11,2020.
- "Don't Stop".September 13–19, 2015.
- "Solo (Remix)".October 4–10, 2015.
- "Listen Up".November 15–21, 2015.
- "Crazy Dog".December 13–19, 2015.
- "Cider".January 24–30, 2016.
- ^2021년 26주차 Download Chart.
- ^2022년 20주차 Download Chart.