Jessie Reyez
Hip-Hop / R&B
ActiveAbout
Jessica "Jessie" Reyez, born on June 12, 1991, is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose raw, emotionally powerful music has earned her international acclaim and recognition as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary R&B and pop. Born in Toronto to Colombian parents, Reyez's family later moved to Brampton. She played guitar as a child and began writing her own music in high school, developing the confessional songwriting style that would become her trademark.
After high school, Reyez moved to Florida, where she primarily worked as a bartender and busked on the beach. She returned to Toronto in 2014 after being accepted to The Remix Project's Academy of Recording Arts, a pivotal moment in her career development. In 2014, Reyez and King Louie released a joint single titled "Living in the Sky," followed by "It Hurts (Selena)" in 2015. Her 2016 breakthrough single "Figures" peaked at number 58 on the Canadian Hot 100 and received triple platinum certification by Music Canada and platinum by the RIAA, establishing her as a major new talent.
In April 2017, Reyez released her debut EP "Kiddo" alongside her powerful short film "Gatekeeper," which addressed sexism and exploitation in the music industry, winning her Breakthrough Artist from four nominations at the 2018 Juno Awards. Her second EP, "Being Human in Public" (2018), won R&B/Soul Recording of the Year at the 2019 Juno Awards and was nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards. Reyez has also proven herself as a sought-after songwriter, penning hits including Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa's "One Kiss," and has collaborated with Eminem on multiple occasions. Her debut studio album, "Before Love Came to Kill Us," was released on March 27, 2020, featuring collaborations with Eminem and 6lack.