Jessie Reyez
Biography Jessie Reyez
Jessie Reyez
Earnest and raw, Jessie Reyez’s music comes from a genuine place. Born in Toronto, Canada to Colombian immigrants, Jessie’s is a story that constantly weaves different worlds together. She was first introduced to the guitar by her father as a child when she had already shown signs of being an impressive vocalist. Reyez’s inseparability with the instrument and gifted voice insured her lifelong artist’s journey from a young age.
Reyez began to pursue music more seriously out of high school and found a few early collaborators while still in Toronto. However, in 2012, Jessie's family made a long awaited move to South Florida. Reyez continued trying to break into the music industry, but found it even more difficult than in her home city. Instead, she took the DIY approach: shooting, recording, and teaching herself to edit her own videos with friends.
After catching some early attention online in 2014, Jessie returned to Toronto to attend The Remix Project’s Academy of Recording Arts- an internationally awarded artistic incubator. It was through Remix that she connected with the creatives that would help her realize the next phase of her journey.
Graduating at the end of 2014, Jessie began taking part in writing camps and connecting with diverse talents across the world such as King Louie, Chance the Rapper, Calvin Harris & frequent collaborator Tim Suby. In late 2016 she released her violent heartbreak anthem, ”Figures", as the first song released off her debut EP "Kiddo". The single was premiered by Zane Lowe and championed by Elton John on Beats1 Radio, speaking intimately to people around the world while earning a great deal of attention from labels as well as acquiring millions of plays across multiple platforms.
”Kiddo” is a soundscape of Jessie's life inspired by some of her most emotional experiences. Whether sad, angry or triumphant, the EP gracefully crosses lines and callously ignores boundaries. When asked what genre in which she does consider herself, Jessie will often reply in complete seriousness: “Quentin Tarantino".
Over the past year Reyez’s career has catapulted into stardom. She has graced different media platforms including a late night TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, a premiere performance of “Gatekeeper” on Late Night With Seth Meyers, and a performance of “Figures” at the 2017 BET Awards. Reyez has even secured her creative genius by stepping outside of the box and releasing the significant short film “Gatekeeper: A True Story” that accompanied the track “Gatekeeper”, exposing industry sexism and predatory behavior. The film garnered coverage from media including Noisey, Complex, Pigeons & Planes, Billboard, BET, Rolling Stone, W Magazine, HITS, Interview Magazine and more.
Her standout hit single “Figures” has reached over 80 million streams worldwide and garnered over 20 million global video views. Reyez recently enlisted the soulful Daniel Ceasar for “Figures, A Reprise” and the two performed the song together at this years JUNO Awards. In addition to the performance, Jessie received Canada’s most prestigious award in music: a Juno for 2018’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year, further solidifying her immense talent and artistry.
