Jessie Reyez, born on June 12, 1991, in Toronto, Ontario, is a Colombian-Canadian singer-songwriter who has made a significant mark on the global music scene with her raw talent and emotionally charged performances. Raised by Colombian parents, Reyez was introduced to music at an early age, with her father teaching her to play guitar. This early exposure to music became the foundation for her future career. As a teenager, she began writing her own songs, a passion that only grew stronger over time. After moving to Brampton, Reyez attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School, where she continued to hone her musical skills.
Following high school, Reyez opted out of post-secondary education, choosing instead to pursue her music career while taking on odd jobs to support herself. Her journey took her to Florida in 2012, where she bartended and busked on the beaches, performing her music wherever she could. In 2014, she returned to Toronto after being accepted into The Remix Project’s Academy of Recording Arts. This pivotal moment allowed her to connect with industry professionals, including Daniel Daley of Dvsn and King Louie, the latter of whom collaborated with her on the single “Living in the Sky” in 2014.
Reyez’s breakout moment came in 2016 with the release of her debut single “Figures,” a deeply personal track that resonated with audiences for its raw emotion and vulnerability. The song quickly gained traction, peaking at number 58 on the Canadian Hot 100 and earning multiple platinum certifications. This success was followed by the release of her debut EP, Kiddo, in 2017, which showcased her unique blend of R&B, pop, and hip-hop influences. The EP included the powerful short film Gatekeeper, where Reyez candidly addressed sexism and exploitation in the music industry, drawing from her own experiences.
Her debut EP’s success led to widespread recognition, including four nominations at the 2018 Juno Awards, where she won Breakthrough Artist of the Year. She continued to build on this momentum with her second EP, Being Human in Public, released in 2018. The project won the R&B/Soul Recording of the Year at the 2019 Juno Awards and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album. Reyez also collaborated with Eminem on his album Kamikaze, contributing to the tracks “Nice Guy” and “Good Guy,” both of which charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2020, Reyez released her highly anticipated debut studio album, Before Love Came to Kill Us, to critical acclaim. The album explored themes of love, heartbreak, and mortality, and debuted at number 13 on the Billboard 200. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the postponement of her tour with Billie Eilish and her performance at Coachella, Reyez’s album cemented her place as a powerful voice in contemporary music. The album’s success was followed by multiple Juno nominations and awards, further solidifying her status as a leading figure in the industry.
In 2022, Reyez released her second studio album, Yessie, which continued to showcase her evolution as an artist. With its introspective lyrics and innovative sound, Yessie proved that Reyez was not just a breakout artist but a lasting presence in the music world. Her journey from busking on Florida’s beaches to receiving Grammy nominations and collaborating with industry giants like Eminem and Calvin Harris is a testament to her talent, perseverance, and authenticity.