Jessie Reyez

Canadian singer-songwriter (born 1991)

Jessie Reyez

Reyez in Toronto, Canada (2019)

Background information
Birth name| Jessica Reyez
Born|  (1991-06-12) June 12, 1991 (age 34)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres|

* R&B[1]
* pop
* hip hop

Occupations|

* Singer
* songwriter

Instruments|

* Vocals
* guitar
* ukulele
* piano

Years active| 2014–present
Labels|

* FMLY
* Island[2]
* Republic[3]

Producer(s)| Tim Suby
Website| jessiereyez.com

Musical artist

Jessica Reyez (born June 12, 1991) is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Her 2016 single, "Figures", peaked at number 58 on the Canadian Hot 100 and received triple platinum certification by Music Canada (MC) and platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[4] Her debut extended play (EP), Kiddo (2017), led her to win Breakthrough Artist from four nominations at the 2018 Juno Awards. Her second EP, Being Human in Public (2018), was released the following year, 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 won the R&B/Soul Recording of the Year once more for her 2019 single "Feel it Too" (with Tory Lanez and Tainy), at the 2020 Juno Awards, where she was also nominated for Artist of the Year. Reyez has written songs for Calvin Harris, Kehlani, Dua Lipa, and Normani, most notably penning the hit "One Kiss", and has collaborated with Eminem on multiple occasions.[5] Her debut studio album, Before Love Came to Kill Us (2020), was met with widespread critical acclaim and commercial success, peaking at number 13 on the US Billboard 200.[6]

## Early life

[edit]

Jessica Reyez was born in Toronto, Ontario to Colombian parents.[7] She was introduced to the guitar by her father, leading to a career in art and music. She played guitar as a child and began writing her own music in high school.[7] Reyez and her family then moved to Brampton, where she attended  St. Thomas Aquinas CSS.[8] After graduating, she opted out of post secondary education and instead chose to pursue her music while doing odd jobs on the side. In 2012, Reyez and her family moved to Florida, where she was primarily bartending and busking on the beach,[7] but she returned to Toronto in 2014 after being accepted to The Remix Project's Academy of Recording Arts.[9] At the Remix Project, Reyez was mentored by Daniel Daley from Dvsn, and her music was heard by King Louie.[7]

## Career

[edit]

### Early career and Kiddo (2014–2017)

[edit]

In 2014, Reyez and King Louie released a joint single titled "Living in the Sky", followed by a second single, "It Hurts (Selena)", in 2015.[7] In early 2017, she released the single "Shutter Island"[10] and toured Europe opening for PartyNextDoor. Her follow-up single, "Figures", was premiered by Zane Lowe on Beats 1 radio, alongside its music video. "Figures" peaked at number 58 on the Canadian Hot 100 in 2017[4] and was certified triple platinum by Music Canada.

In April 2017, Reyez released her debut EP, Kiddo[11] as well as her short film Gatekeeper, which addressed sexism and exploitation in the music industry. It specifically was based on her experience with music producer Noel "Detail" Fisher, who was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women, including artist Bebe Rexha.[12] Kiddo peaked at number 83 on the Canadian Album Chart.

Kiddo was placed on the Long List of the 2017 Polaris Music Prize and lead to four nominations at the 2018 Juno Awards (R&B/Soul Recording of the Year, Breakthrough Artist, Video of the Year, and Juno Fan Choice Award),[13] where she won Breakthrough Artist. She also received two 2017 iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards nominations for Best New Canadian Artist and Fan Fave Video for "Shutter Island".[14][15] She was also nominated for two 2018 MTV Music Video Awards, including Push Artist of the Year and Video With A Message (for "Gatekeeper"). Reyez performed "Figures" at the 2017 BET Awards on June 25, 2017[16] and on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on August 8, 2017.[17] Later in 2017, she signed a record and publishing deal with Island Records.[18]

### Being Human in Public (2018–2019)

[edit]

Billboard named Reyez one of the "10 Hip-Hop and R&B Artists to Watch in 2018".[19] She also received a SOCAN Songwriting Prize nomination for the song "Cotton Candy".[20] Recorded in 2017, Reyez collaborated with Lewis Capaldi on his 2018 single “Rush”. Reyez joined Capaldi again in the music video of the single. She then released her second EP, Being Human in Public, and toured across North America. The EP won 2019's 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. It also appeared on the short list for the 2019 Polaris Music Prize.

In August, Reyez collaborated with Eminem on "Nice Guy" and "Good Guy", from the album Kamikaze, both charting on the Billboard Hot 100[21] and appeared on the soundtrack to Fifty Shades Freed. On April 9, 2019, Reyez released the single "Imported" featuring 6lack, a re-working of a song off her last EP. The single was later certified Gold by both the RIAA and Music Canada. She also had a cameo in the Netflix film, Someone Great and appeared on The Lion King: The Gift, performing (with 070 Shake) and co-writing the song "Scar".

### Before Love Came to Kill Us (2020–2021)

[edit]

Reyez received her first Grammy nomination, when Being Human in Public was nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards.[22][23] Reyez opened for Billie Eilish on her Where Do We Go? world tour, with some of the dates postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic.[24] She was also booked to perform for the first time at Coachella festival,[25] which was also postponed due to the pandemic.[26]

Reyez released her debut studio album, Before Love Came to Kill Us, on March 27, 2020. The album includes collaborations with Eminem and 6lack, with the deluxe edition including additional features from Rico Nasty, Melii, JID, and A Boogie wit da Hoodie. The album was preceded by the single "Love in the Dark" and also included previous singles "Figures" and "Imported". Before Love Came to Kill Us debuted at #13 on the Billboard 200 and was short-listed for the 2020 Polaris Music Prize.[27][28]

Reyez was nominated for two awards at the 2020 Juno Awards: Artist of the Year and R&B/Soul Recording of the Year (for "Feel It Too" with Tory Lanez and Tainy), winning the latter award.[29] The music video for Reyez's song "Far Away" won the 2020 Prism Prize, with director Peter Huang winning the $20,000 award.[30] Reyez was featured in Beyoncé's musical film Black Is King, which premiered on Disney+ in July 2020.[31]

She received nominations for five awards at the 2021 Juno Awards: Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year (for Before Love Came to Kill Us), with two of her music videos nominated Video of the Year.[32] "No One's in the Room" which was directed by Emma Higgins, ended up taking the prize.[33][34]

### Yessie (2022–present)

[edit]

Reyez released her second studio album, Yessie, on September 16, 2022.[35] The album consists of 11 tracks, featuring one collaboration with former collaborator 6lack on the song "Forever".[36]

## Discography

[edit]

Main article: Jessie Reyez discography

Studio albums

* Before Love Came to Kill Us (2020)[37]
* Yessie (2022)[38]
* Paid in Memories (2025)[39]

## Tours

[edit]

Headlining

* The Kiddo Tour (2018)
* Being Human in Public Tour (2019)
* Before Love Came to Kill Us Tour (2020)
* Yessie Tour (2022–23)

Supporting

* PartyNextDoor – European Tour (2014)
* Halsey \- Hopeless Fountain Kingdom Tour (2018)
* Billie Eilish – Where Do We Go? World Tour (2020)
* Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever, The World Tour (2022)
* Sam Smith – Gloria World Tour (2023)
* Jhené Aiko – The Magic Hour Tour (2024)

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

List of awards and nominations for Jessie Reyez  Year  | Award  | Category  | Work  | Result

|
|
|
|

2017  | iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards | Best New Canadian Artist  | Herself  | Nominated
Fan Fave Video  | "Shutter Island" (directed by Peter Huang)  | Nominated
Polaris Music Prize | Long List  | Kiddo | Nominated
SOCAN Songwriting Prize | Anglophone Song  | "Figures"  | Nominated
2018  | Juno Awards | Breakthrough Artist | Herself  | Won
R&B/Soul Recording of the Year | Kiddo | Nominated
Video of The Year | "Gatekeeper" (directed by Peter Huang)  | Nominated
Juno Fan Choice Award | Herself  | Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards | Push Artist of the Year  | Herself  | Nominated
Video with a Message  | "Gatekeeper"  | Nominated
MTV Europe Music Award | Best New Act | Herself | Nominated
Prism Prize | Short List  | "Gatekeeper" (directed by Peter Huang) | Nominated
2019  | SOCAN Songwriting Prize | Anglophone Song  | "Cotton Candy" | Nominated
Juno Awards | R&B/Soul Recording of the Year | Being Human in Public | Won
Polaris Music Prize | Short List | Nominated
Prism Prize | Short List  | "Body Count" (directed by Peter Huang) | Nominated
2020  | Grammy Awards | Best Urban Contemporary Album | Being Human in Public | Nominated
Juno Awards | Artist of the Year | Herself  | Nominated
R&B/Soul Recording of the Year | "Feel It Too" (with Tory Lanez and Tainy)  | Won
Polaris Music Prize | Short List  | Before Love Came to Kill Us | Shortlisted
Billboard  | Impact Award  | Herself  | Won
Prism Prize | Grand Prize  | "Far Away" (directed by Peter Huang)  | Won
2021  | Juno Awards | Artist of the Year  | Herself  | Nominated
Songwriter of the Year | Nominated
Contemporary R&B/Soul Recording of the Year | Before Love Came to Kill Us | Nominated
Video of the Year | "Intruders" (directed by Les Solis, Peter Huang)  | Nominated
"No One's in the Room" (directed by Emma Higgins)  | Won

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Collins, Hattie (July 5, 2017). "5 Things You Need to Know About Jessie Reyez". Vice. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
2. ^ "KJessie Reyez Announces Debut Album & Drops Feminist Anthem 'No Sweat'". iTunes. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
3. ^ "JESSIE REYEZ ANNOUNCES DEBUT EP". Umusic. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
4. ^ a b "Jessie Reyez – Chart history (Canadian Hot 100)". www.billboard.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
5. ^ "Jessie Reyez And Eminem Have Obsessive Love on "Coffin"". Billboard. March 27, 2020. Archived from the original on May 2, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
6. ^ "Hear Jessie Reyez Cover Patsy Cline's "Crazy"". exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
7. ^ a b c d e "How Jessie Reyez Became the 2018 Juno Awards' Most Nominated Artist". exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on June 17, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
8. ^ Edwards, Samantha (October 10, 2018). "A day in the life of Jessie Reyez, Toronto's next big pop star". NOW Toronto. Toronto ON. Archived from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020. "Born in Toronto, Reyez grew up near Jane and Driftwood and then moved to Brampton ."
9. ^ Patsuk, Slava (October 23, 2014). "Toronto's Jessie Reyez Connects with King Louie on Unlikely Terms". Noisey. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
10. ^ Twardzik, Tom (January 24, 2017). "Listen to the Newest Single By Upcoming R&B Hitmaker Jessie Reyez". Popdust. Archived from the original on January 25, 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
11. ^ Patrick, Ryan B. "Jessie Reyez Kiddo". Exclaim. Archived from the original on May 3, 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
12. ^ Leight, Elias (May 10, 2018). "Jessie Reyez Accuses Beyonce Producer Detail of Sexual Misconduct". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
13. ^ Friend, David (February 7, 2018). "Who is Jessie Reyez? A look at Toronto's soulful voice leading the Juno nominees". National Post. The Canadian Press. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
14. ^ "Fan Fave Video Nominee Jessie Reyez Drops Personal Short Film 'Gatekeeper'". MMVAs. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
15. ^ "Watch the iHeartRadio MMVAs Sunday June 18 @ 9E/6P". MMVAs. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
16. ^ "Beyoncé Reigns Supreme At 2017 BET Awards - Canyon News". Canyon News. June 26, 2017. Archived from the original on June 26, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
17. ^ Cantor, Brian (August 8, 2017). "Jessie Reyez Delivers Excellent Performance On Jimmy Fallon's "Tonight Show"". Headline Planet. Archived from the original on August 26, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
18. ^ "Jessie Reyez Interview: On 'Gatekeeper' Film & Island Records Deal". Billboard. September 5, 2017. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
19. ^ "10 Hip-Hop and R&B Artists to Watch in 2018". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 15, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
20. ^ "2018 SOCAN Songwriting Prize Nominees Revealed". Exclaim!. May 24, 2018. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
21. ^ Leight, Elias (August 31, 2018). "Eminem Producer Explains Why 'Kamikaze' Is a Throwback to Slim Shady". Rolling Stone. New York City: Wenner Media LLC. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
22. ^ "Jessie Reyez grabs first Grammy nod alongside fellow Canadians Shawn Mendes, Drake | Entertainment & Showbiz from CTV News". www.ctvnews.ca. November 20, 2019. Archived from the original on November 23, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
23. ^ "Alessia Cara and Tory Lanez lead the 2020 Juno nominations". CBC Music. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
24. ^ Robles, Jonathan (March 27, 2020). "Jessie Reyez shares towering debut album 'Before Love Came to Kill Us'". Variance Magazine. Archived from the original on April 12, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
25. ^ "Jessie Reyez Reveals Before Love Came to Kill Us Tour". Billboard. February 18, 2020. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
26. ^ "Seven Festivals & Concerts to Stream This Weekend: Coachella, Farm Aid & More". Billboard. April 10, 2020. Archived from the original on April 12, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
27. ^ "Jessie Reyez". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
28. ^ "Here's the Polaris Music Prize 2020 Short List". exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
29. ^ "PUP, Half Moon Run, Jessie Reyez, more among 2020 Juno Award winners | Indie88". June 30, 2020. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
30. ^ Trapunski, Richard (July 24, 2020). "Prism Prize 2020: Jessie Reyez wins best music video". NOW Magazine. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
31. ^ Shaffer, Claire (July 31, 2020). "5 Takeaways From Beyonce's Elaborate New Visual Album 'Black Is King'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
32. ^ Weaver, Jackson. "Junos 2021: The Weeknd gets 6 nominations; JP Saxe, Justin Bieber, Jessie Reyez score 5 each". CBC News. Archived from the original on May 28, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
33. ^ "Junos announce full performer lineup—including JP Saxe, Ali Gatie, Tate McRae and Jessie Reyez". CBC News. Archived from the original on May 28, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
34. ^ "Juno Awards: Congratulations to B.C.'s winners". vancouversun. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
35. ^ "YESSIE". Spotify. Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
36. ^ "Jessie Reyez Drops New Album 'Yessie,' Shares "Only One" Live Performance". Complex Networks. Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
37. ^ @Jessiereyez (January 20, 2020). "My debut album #BeforeLoveCameToKillUs Pre order it on Thursday" (Tweet). Retrieved January 21, 2020 – via Twitter.
38. ^ Legaspi, Althea (August 12, 2022). "Jessie Reyez Previews Yessie LP With "Mutual Friend" Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
39. ^ Breihan, Tom (March 7, 2025). "Jessie Reyez Samples Smashing Pumpkins' "1979" on New Single "Psilocybin & Daisies"". Stereogum. Retrieved March 7, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

Jessie Reyez at Wikipedia's sister projects

* Media from Commons
* Data from Wikidata

* Official website
* Jessie Reyez at AllMusic

* v
* t
* e

Jessie Reyez

Discography

Studio albums|

* Before Love Came to Kill Us
* Yessie

EPs|

* Kiddo
* Being Human in Public

Singles|

* "Figures"
* "Imported"
* "Feels like Home"
* "Gimme"

Featured singles|

* "Rush"

Other songs|

* "Nice Guy"
* "Good Guy"
* "Coffin"

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Czech Republic

Artists|

* MusicBrainz
* Grammy Awards

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