Jessi (musician)

Jessica Ho (born December 17, 1988), better known by her stage name Jessi, is a Korean-American rapper and songwriter based in South Korea. She was born in New York, raised in New Jersey, and moved to South Korea at the age of 15.[1]

Jessi
Jessi in 2016
Born
Jessica Ho

(1988-12-17) December 17, 1988
Queens, New York City, U.S.
Other namesJessica H.O, Ho Hyun-joo
EducationRiver Dell High School, Korea Kent Foreign School
Occupation
  • Rapper
  • Songwriter
  • Host
Musical career
OriginSouth Korea
Genres
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2005–present
Labels
  • Doremi Media
  • OGAM Entertainment
  • Studio 221
  • YMC
  • P Nation
Associated acts
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationHo Hyeon-ju
McCune–ReischauerHo Hyŏn-ju
Stage name
Hangul
Revised RomanizationJesi
McCune–ReischauerJeshi

Career

2003–2014: Early career and Lucky J

In 2003, Jessi successfully auditioned for Doremi Media and moved to South Korea at age 15.[2] She released her debut single album Get Up in 2005 and performed the title song "Get Up" on the TV series Music Bank. In 2006 the hip hop group Uptown featured her in their album Testimony, replacing their original vocalist Yoon Mi-rae.[3] Jessi's second single album, entitled "The Rebirth", was released in January 2009. After the release, she took a break from music, and left Korea to return to America.[4]

In 2014, after a 5-year hiatus, Jessi returned as a member of hip-hop trio Lucky J with rapper J'Kyun and vocalist J-Yo.[5] Lucky J debuted with the digital single "Can You Hear Me" under YMC Entertainment in July of that year.[6] A month after their debut, Lucky J made an appearance in KBS's music competition program, Immortal Songs 2.

2015–2018: Television roles and Un2verse

From January to March 2015, Jessi was part of the first season of Unpretty Rapstar, a spin-off of the program Show Me The Money.[7] Unpretty Rapstar is a female rapper survival program, where contestants compete for the chance to be featured on tracks in a compilation album. Jessi was chosen as the second-place winner of the show by audience vote.[8] After her appearance on Unpretty Rapstar, Jessi was featured in JYP's single "Who's Your Mama?" and its music video, which were both released in April 2015.[9] The track topped all nine major music charts in Korea as soon as it was released.[10] Throughout 2015, Jessi appeared as a guest in various popular variety shows, including Running Man and Happy Together.[11][12] She released her first ever solo rap single, "Ssenunni", on September 15.[13] Jessi's first live performance in the US was held on October 16. She performed at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles with hip-hop duo Mighty Mouth as her opening act.[14] When Unpretty Rapstar 2 aired, Jessi appeared in several episodes as a mentor. She and Cheetah, the winner of the previous season, were also featured in Unpretty Rapstar 2 tracks produced by Verbal Jint.[15] In December 2015, Jessi performed her song "Ssenunni" at the Mnet Asian Music Awards.[16]

In 2016, Jessi starred as one of the permanent members in season one of popular Korean variety show, Sister's Slam Dunk.[17] In 2017, Jessi released another rap single, "Gucci" from her first mini-album, entitled Un2verse, both of which released on July 13.[18][19] In 2018, Jessi starred on Yo! MTV Raps. The show aired on MTV Asia on July 6.[20] On the same day, she released a single titled "Down".[21] According to Soompi, AOMG producer Gray took part in producing the track.[22]

2019–present: P Nation and Nuna

Jessi's contract with YMC Entertainment ended in October 2018, and in January 2019, she signed a contract with PSY's record label P Nation. Her first single under the label, "Who Dat B," was released on September 23, 2019.[23] "Who Dat B" peaked at number eight on the World Digital Songs Sales chart and 68 on the Billboard Korea K-Pop Hot 100.[24][25] She released another rap single, "Drip" featuring Jay Park, on November 2.[26] The collaboration reached number 16 on the World Songs chart.[24]

The singer released her third extended play Nuna on July 30, 2020.[27] The lead single, "Nunu Nana" was released in conjunction with the album. "Nunu Nana", peaked at number two on the Gaon Music Chart. Promotions of the single ended on August 23, 2020 as she performed on SBS's Inkigayo. On August 14, 2020 the music video for "Numb", another single under the Nuna extended play, was released.

On October 10, 2020, Jessi collaborated with singers Uhm Junghwa (Man-ok), Lee Hyori (Cheon-ok), and Hwasa (Silbi) to release the single "Don't Touch Me" under the band name "Refund Sisters". In this group, Jessi used the stage name Eunbi. This collaboration took place on the show "How Do You Play" from episodes 58 onwards, with Yoo Jaeseok (Jimmy Yu) as their producer, and Kim Jongmin (Kim Ji-sub) and Jung Jae-hyung (Jung Bongwon) as their managers.

Personal life

Jessi attended Korea Kent Foreign School along with Girls' Generation members Tiffany Young and Jessica Jung. Former CSJH The Grace member and current solo singer Stephanie Kim also attended the same school. Jessi successfully passed an S.M. Entertainment audition, the same company her three classmates were all under. However, she chose not to become part of the label, as she believed its approach to music did not match her style.[28] Before Jessi went on temporary hiatus from the music industry, she struggled to become accustomed to Korean culture.[4] She did not find immediate success after her debut, and was sometimes forced to sleep in saunas when she did not have enough money for a place to stay.[29]

In 2013, during her break from the music industry, a controversy about Jessi's involvement in an alleged assault surfaced.[30] The professed victim soon dropped the charges against the singer, and the investigation was closed.[31]

Music influences

Before debuting as a singer, Jessi cited that she listened to Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, TLC, Tupac, and Biggie when she was little.[32][33] She performed Aguilera's Genie in a Bottle during Doremi media audition in the states at age 15.

Discography

Extended plays
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[34]		 US
World
[35]
Un2verse 314
Nuna
  • Released: July 30, 2020
  • Label: P Nation
  • Formats: Digital download
 —— N/A
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Single albums
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
Get Up
  • Released: December 1, 2005
  • Label: Doremi Records
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. W.T.H
  2. Missin' U (Korean Ver.)
  3. Get Up
  4. 1-2 Step (Korean Ver.)
  5. Give It All
  6. Missin' U (English Ver.)
  7. All I Need... 1-2 Step (English Ver.)
  8. The Christmas Song
 —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Live albums
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
Kill Bill 2nd Live: Jessi
  • Released: February 22, 2019
  • Label: Soribada
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. 굳이 (Gucci) (Live)
  2. 젖어’S (Wet) (Live) (Feat. Flowsik)
  3. Spirit Animal (Live)
  4. Down (Live)
 — N/A
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

As a lead artist
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[38]		 KOR Hot
[39]		 US World
[40]
"Get Up" 2005 ——— N/A Get Up
"Life Is Good" (인생은 즐거워) 2009 ——— The Rebirth
"Unpretty Dreams" 2015 11—— Compilation Album Unpretty Rapstar Semi Final
"I Want to Be Me" (나이고 싶어) 31—— Non-album singles
"Ssenunni" (쎈언니) 29——
"Raise Your Heels" (뒷꿈치 들어)
(featuring Dok2)		 94——
"Excessive Love" (살찐 사랑) 2016 65——
"Don't Make Me Cry" (울리지마) 2017 85——
"Gucci" 99—9 Un2verse
"Down" 2018 ——— N/A Non-album single
"Who Dat B" 2019 —688 Nuna
"Drip" (featuring Jay Park) ——16
"Nunu Nana" (눈누난나) 2020 2217
"Numb" ———
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[38]		 US World
[40]
"How Much Is Your Love" (얼마짜리 사랑)
(Wheesung & Bumkey feat. Jessi of Lucky J)		 2014 15— Non-album singles
"No No No"
(Pharoh feat. Jessi)		 —— N/A
"Bonnie & Clyde"
(Vasco feat. C-Luv & Jessi)		 2015 —— Code Name : 211
"Who's Your Mama?" (어머님이 누구니)
(Park Jin-young feat. Jessi)		 112 Non-album single
"I Deserve It"
(San E feat. Jessi, Illinnit & i11evn)		 —— The Boy Who Cried Wolf
"Just Like You"
(Primary feat. Yankie & Jessi)		 73— 2
"Something I Can Do" (내가 할 수 있는 건)
(Black Nut feat. Jessi)		 12— Show Me the Money 4 Episode 5
"Me, Myself & I"
(Heize feat. Wheesung & Jessi)		 19— Unpretty Rapstar 2
"We"
(Turbo feat. K.Will, Jessi)		 54— Again
"Never Enough"
(Double K feat. Jessi)		 2016 —— N/A Non-album single
"Hangover" (술김에)
(Baechigi feat. Jessi)		 66— Regression
"Crazy Guy" (미친놈)
(#Gun feat. Jessi)		 5— Show Me the Money 5 Episode 9
"Talkin Bout"
(Microdot feat. Jessi)		 —— N/A +64
"BeBopaLula" (삐빠빠룰라)
(Tae Jin-ah feat. Jessi)		 —— Non-album singles
"We Are Young" (위하여)
(G2 feat. Jessi)		 ——
"Dawndididdawn"
(Dawn feat. Jessi)		 2020 —13 N/A Dawndididdawn
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Collaborations
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[38]
"I'll Be There"
(with The Nuts)		 2007 — N/A Platonic Syndrome: White Romance Vol.1
"My Type"
(with Cheetah feat. Kangnam)		 2015 2 Unpretty Rapstar Compilation
"Kwaejina Ching Ching Nane" (쾌지나 칭칭나네)
(with Kim Young-im & Crispi Crunch)		 2016 — N/A Non-album singles
"K.B.B" (가위바위보)
(with Microdot, Dumbfoundead & Lyricks)		 —
"Life is beautiful"
(with VaVa, Yitai Wang & DOK2)		 2020 N/A
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Soundtrack appearances
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[38]
"Engraved" (각인) 2015 — N/A Glamorous Temptation OST
"Why Do You" (너는 왜)
(with Hanhae of Phantom)		 2016 — Two Yoo Project Sugar Man OST
"My Romeo" — Cinderella with Four Knights OST
"A match (Kill Bill)" (성냥 한 개비 (킬빌))
(featuring Double K)		 2019 — Target : Billboard - Kill Bill
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Filmography

Television show
Year Title Network Role Notes Ref.
2015 Unpretty Rapstar Mnet Contestant Runner-up
Real Men 3 MBC Cast member
King of Mask Singer Contestant With the stage name "Miss Korea" (Episode 35)
2016 Sister's Slam Dunk KBS2 Cast member
Duet Song Festival MBC Contestant With Kim Seok-goo (Episode 1–2)
2017 High School Rapper Mnet Judge
2018 King of Mask Singer MBC Contestant As Laundry Fairy (Episode 161–162)
2020 Sixth Sense tvN Cast member [58]
Hangout with Yoo MBC Cast member Episode 57–68
Law of the Jungle – Tribe Chief and Granny SBS Cast member Episode 427–429 [59]
2020–present Showterview with Jessi SBS's Mobidic YouTube Host [60][61]
CAP-TEEN Mnet Judge

Awards and nominations
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s) / Work(s) Result Ref.
Gaon Chart Music Awards 2021 Song of the Year – July NUNU NANA Nominated [62]
Golden Disc Awards 2021 Best Solo Artist Jessi Won
KBS Entertainment Awards 2016 Best Newcomer in Variety Show Nominated [63]
Korea Cable TV Awards 2016 Cable Star Awards – Best Singer Won [64]
Korea First Brand Awards 2021 Best R&B/Hip-Hop Artist Won [65][66]
Hot Icon Won
MBC Entertainment Awards 2020 Excellence Award in Music/Talk Category – Female Omniscient Interfering View & Hangout with Yoo Won [67]
Mnet Asian Music Awards 2020 Worldwide Icon of the Year Jessi Nominated [68]
Best Dance Performance – Solo NUNU NANA Nominated
Favorite Dance Performance – Female Solo Won
Song of the Year Nominated
SBS Entertainment Awards 2020 Rookie Award SBS Mobidic: Jessi's Showterview Won [69]
Seoul Music Awards 2021 Best R&B Hiphop Award NUNU NANA Won [70]
Main Award (Bonsang) Jessi Pending
Popularity Award Pending
K-wave Popularity Award Pending
Style Icon Asia 2016 Awesome Swagger Won [71]
The Fact Music Awards 2020 Best Performer Won [72]
TMA Popularity Award Nominated

Notes

    References
    1. After School Club (episode 178).
    2. "The 10 Year Journey from Jessica H.O to Lucky J's Jessi". February 7, 2015.
    3. "KBS World Radio K-POP News". world.kbs.co.kr.
    4. "[Interview] ′Unpretty Rapstar′ Jessi Spills on Why She Left Korea, Struggling with Korean Culture and More - Mwave". mwave.interest.me. Archived from the original on June 27, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
    5. "Jessica H.o. to start anew under YMC Entertainment's upcoming group Lucky J".
    6. "Co-ed hip hop trio Lucky J kick off their activities with 'Can You Hear Me' MV".
    7. "Mnet to Launch Korea's First-Ever Female Rapper Survival Show "Unpretty Rapstar" - Soompi". www.soompi.com.
    8. "And the winner of 'Unpretty Rapstar' is....?".
    9. "J.Y. Park Gives PSY a Run for His Money With Ode to Big Butts, 'Who's Your Mama?'".
    10. "J.Y. Park's "Who's Your Mama" tops 7 charts in first place". April 15, 2015.
    11. "유재석 "제시, 쌍꺼풀 수술 전이 훨씬 예뻐"". program.sbs.co.kr.
    12. {KBS Happy Together} Suzy, Jessi, Seo Woo & more! (2015.04.23) Archived 2015-05-24 at the Wayback Machine
    13. "Jessi to Make a Hip Hop Comeback". soompi. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
    14. "Go see Unpretty Rapstar's Jessi at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles on October 16th!".
    15. "Sparks Fly Between Jessi and KittiB on "Unpretty Rapstar 2" - Soompi". www.soompi.com.
    16. "Jessi Kills It At 2015 MAMAs With Her Performance Of 'Ssenunni' [VIDEO] - The latest kpop news and music - Officially Kmusic". officiallykmusic.com.
    17. "Jessi, Tiffany, Min Hyo Rin, and more get together for a viewing party of their new variety show!". Retrieved July 10, 2017.
    18. "Un2verse - EP by Jessi". July 13, 2017.
    19. "Jessi – Un2verse - 1st Mini Album - KpopScene.com". KpopScene.com.
    20. "Meet the 12 artists in the spotlight for Yo! MTV Raps' return - MTV Asia". MTV Asia.
    21. "Jessi Aims to Break South Korean Societal Norms & Gets 'Down' In New Music Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
    22. "July Comebacks And Releases Coming Your Way - Soompi". www.soompi.com.
    23. ""Who Dat B" by Jessi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
    24. "Jessi Chart History (World Songs)". Billboard.
    25. "Jessi Chart History (Korea K-Pop Hot 100)". Billboard.
    26. ""Drip" (feat. Jay Park) by Jessi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
    27. "Nuna - EP by Jessi". Apple Music. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
    28. "Jessi could have become a member of Girls' Generation?".
    29. "Jessi on Her 'Tough Unni' Image, Difficulties After Debuting, and Not Paying Attention to Haters". Soompi. May 20, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
    30. "Singer Jessica H.o. accused of assaulting a woman".
    31. "Ms. Choi drops charges against Jessica H.o. for the alleged assault".
    32. Kates (October 23, 2020). "5 THINGS ABOUT SOUTH KOREA'S IT-GIRL, JESSI THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW". elle.com.sg. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
    33. Catching Up: Jessi (제시) (FULL Episode) I KPDB Ep. #73. September 8, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2020 – via Youtube.
    34. Peak chart positions for the following albums in South Korea:
      • Un2verse: 2017년 29주차 Album Chart [Week 29 of 2017 Album Chart]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
    35. "Jessi Chart History - World Albums". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
    36. 2017년 07월 Album Chart [July 2017 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 7, 2019.
    37. 2005.12월 - 가요 음반 판매량 [Album sales for December 2005] (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on February 25, 2006. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
    38. "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 11, 2020.
    39. "Jessi Chart History: Billboard Korea K-Pop 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
    40. "Jessi Chart History: World Digital Song Sales". Billboard.com. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
    41. Cumulative sales of "Unpretty Dreams":
    42. "2015년 04월 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
    43. "2015년 09월 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
    44. "2015년 50주차 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
    45. "2016년 12주차 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
    46. "2017년 04주차 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
    47. 2017년 28주차 Download Chart [Week 28 of 2017 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved July 20, 2017.
    48. "2014년 36주차 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
    49. Cumulative sales of "Who's Your Mama?":
    50. "2015년 18주차 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
    51. "2015년 34주차 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
    52. Cumulative sales of "Something I Can Do":
    53. Cumulative sales of "Me, Myself and I":
    54. "2015년 53주차 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
    55. "2016년 06월 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
    56. Cumulative sales of "Crazy Guy":
    57. "2015년 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
    58. "Lovelyz's Le Mi Joo in talks to star in new tvN variety 'Sixth Sense' with Yoo Jae Suk, Jeon So Min, & more". allkpop. August 24, 2020.
    59. Kang Seon-ae (November 9, 2020). "72세 김수미, '정글의 법칙' 뜬다…제시와 '센 케미' 기대". sbsfune.sbs (in Korean). Retrieved November 9, 2020.
    60. "Watch: Jessi Announces Summer Comeback With 1st Teaser". Soompi. July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
    61. "Jessi's interview with Mamamoo's Solar might be the most hilarious and adorable one in 2020". allkpop. July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
    62. "10th Gaon Chart Music Awards nominees". gaonmusicawards.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved January 4, 2020.
    63. Kim Mi-ri (December 25, 2016). "'9년 외길의 승리' 김종민, 2016 KBS 연예대상 대상 수상 (종합)". My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved January 13, 2021.
    64. Go Hong-joo (March 25, 2016). "박해진 웃고 '응팔' 싹쓸이..'케이블대상' 빛낸 사람들(종합)". enews24 (in Korean). Retrieved January 13, 2021.
    65. Kim Soo-jeong (December 3, 2020). "한국소비자포럼, 2021 대한민국 퍼스트브랜드 발표". News1 (in Korean). Retrieved January 13, 2021.
    66. "역대 수상브랜드". fba.kcforum (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2020.
    67. Hwang Soo-young (December 29, 2020). "[MBC 연예대상] 엄정화-제시-김종민, 우수상…'놀면 뭐하니?' 올킬". isplus.live.joins (in Korean). Retrieved December 29, 2020.
    68. "2020 MAMA Nominees". Mnet. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
    69. Jeon Hyo-jin (December 19, 2020). "[2020 SBS 연예대상] 차은우·오민석·제시, 신인상 수상". Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved December 19, 2020.
    70. "30th Seoul Music Awards". Seoul Music Awards. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
    71. Park Phan-seok (March 15, 2016). "'SIA' 송중기·하지원·송승헌·설현, 대세 스타 총집합..'행복한 150분'[종합]". Osen (in Korean). Retrieved January 13, 2021.
    72. Kim Jong-eun (December 12, 2020). "'2020 더팩트뮤직어워즈' 방탄소년단 3년 연속 대상 수상 [종합]". TV Daily (in Korean). Retrieved January 13, 2021.
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