The Essential Guide to YEZI, The Jack of All Trades
t’s not unusual for girl group members to find their footing as solo artists. Solo icons Taeyeon and Sunmi, both members of two of the biggest girl groups of recent times (from Girls’ Generation and Wonder Girls respectively), have now found their stride as individuals. What is unusual, however, is for a soloist to completely switch their concepts, showing a vibrant range of talents and discographic potential that is brimming with surprise. Yet for soloist YEZI, this is exactly what she’s done.
Debut and FIESTAR
To know about YEZI properly, we must first know about her former group, FIESTAR. FIESTAR made their debut as a six-member group on August 31, 2012 with the fun-filled jazz single “Vista.” Prior to their debut, many of the members already had a following through their pre-debut activities, including “cute maknae” Yezi, who was well known as an underground rapper prior to her debut.
Despite the prior buzz, FIESTAR would only reach moderate success and after four years, would have their final comeback with the single “Apple Pie.” It was announced on May 15, 2018 that four of the five remaining members (with Cheska departing in 2014) would be leaving the company after their contracts expired, with YEZI being one of them.
Going Solo
Despite FIESTAR’s sweeter concept, YEZI was able to show her sour side when she was cast as a member of Unpretty Rapstar 2 in late 2015. Here, she put her skills against some of the best female rappers in K-Pop, including Hyolyn of SISTAR, Jiyoon of 4Minute, and soloist HEIZE, and showed her true potential beyond her group’s softer concept. YEZI became a true competitor with her self-written rap “Crazy Dog,” and although she only reached the semi-finals of the contest, it would mark the beginning of her future solo career.
YEZI’s fierce image captured fans and gained her notability within the K-Pop world. So it seems as no surprise that YEZI was able to continue to appease fans not only with digital releases of “Crazy Dog” and her other Unpretty Rapstar verses, but with her solo debut that continued to thrive on the persona she had created on the show. In January 2016, YEZI released the maxi-single Foresight Dream, with “Cider” taking the helm as the title track. “Cider” is a perfect encapsulation of the bad girl image YEZI had created during her time on Unpretty Rapstar 2. This single shows how fierce YEZI can be with just the power of rap and persona, captivating fans from start to finish.
Following her solo promotions with “Cider,” it would take another year for YEZI to return to the dark image that fans craved. This time, in May 2017, YEZI took inspiration from Egyptian mythology to create the enchanting rap single “Anck Su Namun.” Featuring beautiful visuals and a mature concept yet to be seen by YEZI, “Anck Su Namun” proved the wait to be worth it, as YEZI seems to solidify her power as one of the bad girls of K-Pop.
A New Beginning
“Anck Su Namun” was the last single that YEZI released with Loen Entertainment after deciding not to renew her contract with them, resulting in the disbandment of FIESTAR in 2018. The following year, YEZI signed with JG Star Entertainment as a solo artist and began preparations to make her solo debut once again, this time under a new label.
In January 2020, YEZI finally made her anticipated return to K-Pop, but not in the way that we expected. Shedding her tough exterior, YEZI re-debuted with the emotional ballad “My Gravity.” This single seems to act as a rebirth for the soloist, who instead of showing her famous rap skills shows off her exceptional vocal abilities. “My Gravity” is an incredibly powerful ballad, but YEZI masters every note with ease, making it almost hard to believe that she is the same rap goddess that penned “Crazy Dog” years ago.
YEZI did not waste any time with her new company and was quick to put out a follow-up single to “My Gravity.” Once again, “Home” shows another side to YEZI—this time one filled with emotional maturity and bright energy. “Home” is another perfect showcase of the vocal abilities that YEZI has only just begun to showcase, as she demonstrates the power needed to carry the single to its end. “Home” also includes stellar choreography that is perfect for singing in the rain, or when you have a spare umbrella lying around, and creates an overall incredible performance from the veteran performer.
What’s Next for YEZI?
Since 2012, YEZI has already shown many different sides to her talents. Whether it be through her exceptional rapping abilities, her adept mastery of her vocals, or her keen dancing ability, YEZI has proved time and time again that she is a true force of nature within the K-Pop industry, and it is clear she has no signs of stopping. Now in the infancy of her time with her new label, YEZI is sure to continue to mesmerize fans with her innumerable talents and her brand new image. This K-Pop queen is sure to have more tricks hidden firmly up her sleeve, and we cannot wait until she shares them with the world.