JESSI is one of the most recognizable female rapper in Korean Pop or K-Pop. Her individuality, unique charm and of course her seemingly no care in the world personality attracted me to her.
She is the antithesis off all the Korean pop idols which seems to be crafted from a single mold. This type of charm is honestly quite refreshing particularly in an industry that churns out idols like templates.
Now that she signed in with PNation, a label that allows her to do her thing and not stifle her individuality and artistry, she produces great quality of music and music videos. Here are the things you may not know about Jessi.
EARLY LIFE
Jessica Ho was born on December 17, 1988 in Queens, New York City but grew up in New Jersey. She is the youngest of three siblings, having two older brothers. She was reported to be often bullied when she was a kid because of her ethnicity.
To pursue her dreams in the entertainment industry, she moved to Korea at a young age. It was her grandmother who she raised her from then. She attended Korea Kent Foreign School alongside with other Korean pop stars such as Tiffany Young and Jessica Jung from Girls Generation.
CAREER BEGINNINGS
Although Jessi had already passed on audition for SM Entertainment, she did not become a part of the entertainment giant. She believes that their approach to music and artistry did not coincide with where she wants her career to go. Because of this and her difficulty in acclimating in Korean culture, it took her awhile 2 have breakthrough after her debut.
In 2005, she made her debut with single album Get Up. She also temporarily replaced the original vocalist of the hip hop group Up Down in their album Testimony in 2006. in 2009 she released her second album called The Rebirth. Due to her slow career and difficult breakthrough, she returned to the United states to take a break.
BREAKTHROUGH
Jessi came back in 2014 after a five year hiatus from music. She became a part of the hip hop group Lucky J, alongside rapper JKyun and vocalist Jyo. The group debuted in 2014 under YMC Entertainment under the single Can You Hear Me.
Her popularity increased when she became a part of the show Unpretty Rapstar in 2015. Although she did not win the grand prize this open doors of opportunity for her. She was featured in the Korean entertainment legend JYP’s single “Who’s Your Mama?” In the same year. Due to the chart topping song, her name had become well known all over the nation.
SOLO PROJECTS
Also in 2015 she released her first ever rap single “Ssenunni”. This year also allowed her to perform in her home country in the United states for the very first time in Los Angeles with Mighty Mouth.
She signed a contract with P-nation the label of the super popular, Psy. This career move enable her do release that earworm single Who Dat B in 2018 which beat at #8 in the world digital song sales chart. She also collaborated with Jay Park on the rap single Drip which hit #16 on the World Songs chart.
She released her second extended play Nuna with the single Nunu Nana which hit #2 under Gaon digital chart. no this single is her first top ten single as a solo artist.
SHOWS
Jessi launched her new variety show Jessi’s Showterview on the SBS Mobidic Youtube Channel.
She is also a member all the Refund Sisters together with Lee Hyo-ri, Uhm Jung-hwa, and Hwasa. The group appears in the MBC reality variety show Hang Out With Yoo.
RECENT PROJECTS
Jesse recently with this the single What Type of X accompanied by a very impressive music video.
Have you watched the latest video? Isn’t it something? Apart from the artistry, lyrics and performance, Jessi is just really, a league of her own!
