Yaeji is an American singer, DJ, and producer. In 2015, she pursued her music career further.
She has released two EPs, Yaeji (2017) and EP2 (2018), and has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe.
Her music is a blend of house music, hip-hop, and electronica, and her vocals are often sung in English and Korean. She has been praised for her unique sound and ability to blend different genres of music.
Early Life
Yaeji (Kathy Yaeji Lee) was born in Flushing, Queens, New York City, on August 6, 1993. She is a DJ, singer, and producer of Korean descent. Yaeji’s childhood was filled with upheaval. When she was five, she relocated from New York to Atlanta.
Yaeji eventually returned to the United States to study conceptual art, East Asian studies, and graphic design at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University. While at Carnegie Mellon, she took up DJing as a hobby, crediting the after-hours electronic music dance club Hot Mass with her “indoctrination into nightlife.
” Yaeji began DJing at house parties after learning how to use Traktor. She DJed for two years before learning Ableton, producing her music, and debuting on Carnegie Mellon’s student radio station, WRCT.
Yaeji relocated to New York City after graduating from Carnegie Mellon in 2015 to pursue her music career full-time. In 2016, she launched her debut song, “New York 93,” in 2017, she released her debut EP, “Yaeji.”
Yaeji’s music has received recognition for its unique combination of electronic dance, house, and K-pop. She has played at major music festivals, including Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Governors Ball, and has toured widely throughout the United States and Europe.
Education
She studied conceptual art, East Asian studies, and graphic design at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During my time at Carnegie Mellon.
Career
Yaeji started DJing and making music. Yaeji, her debut EP, was released in 2017. The EP garnered positive feedback from critics, and Yaeji was selected as one of the BBC’s “Sound of 2018” musicians.
WHAT WE DREW, Yaeji’s debut album, was released in 2018. The album was a critical and financial triumph, establishing Yaeji as one of electronic music’s most interesting new performers. Since then, Yaeji has toured extensively and collaborated with various musicians, including Diplo, Major Lazer, and Soul Glo.
Smooth, soulful vocals, captivating melodies, and danceable beats distinguish Yaeji’s music. Her music is frequently intertwined with Korean culture, and she has spoken about the necessity of Asian-American representation in the electronic music field. Yaeji is a rising star in electronic music and will undoubtedly continue to create waves in the years to come.
Awards & Nominations
BBC Sound of 2018
The FADER 100
i-D’s Sound of 2018
The New York Times “The 25 Best Albums of 2018”
Pitchfork’s “Best New Music” for “Drink I’m Sippin On”
Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance Recording for “Raingurl”
iHeartRadio Music Award nomination for Best Dance Song for “Raingurl”
MTV Europe Music Award nomination for Best New Artist
Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance/Electronica Album for What We Do
iHeartRadio Music Award nomination for Best Dance Song for “Drink I’m Sippin On”
Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance/Electronica Album for EP2
Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance/Electronica Album for After Hours
Yaeji has also won several awards, including:
Korean Music Award for Best New Artist
Korean Music Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album for What We Do
Korean Music Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album for EP2
Personal Life
Yaeji has not publicly shared any information about her personal life, including her siblings, parents, spouse, or children. She has said that she prefers to keep her personal life private.
Discography
Albums
What We Drew 우리가 그려왔던
With a Hammer
EPs
Yaeji EP
EP2
Singles
New York ’93
Guap
Noontide
Feel It Out
Therapy
Last Breath
Drink I’m Sippin On
Raingurl
One More
Waking Up Down
For Granted
Done (Let’s Get It)
Passed Me By
Remixes
MG Sides
Physically Sick
Faculty Series, Vol. 1
Faculty Series, Vol. 2
Charli XCX – Charli
Oneohtrix Point Never – R Plus Seven
Compilation appearances
Now, That’s What I Call Music! 67
The Gap x Dazed 100 Mixes
Yaeji has also released several DJ mixes, including:
DISCWOMAN 04 x Yaeji
FADER Mix
Kraeji w/ Yaeji & OHHYUK
Net Worth
Yaeji’s net Worth is estimated at around $5 million as of 2024. She has earned wealth through her music career, including touring, releasing albums and singles, and collaborating with other artists.
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