Let’s Get Kraeji With Yaeji
This artist doesn't just make music; she also builds community through her elaborate DJ sets
Words and art by Ryan Quan
Musical Artist of the Month: This monthly column is JoySauce social media editor Ryan Quan’s attempt at getting you to love these underrated and under appreciated API artists as much as he does. The series will combine fun facts, conceptual graphic work Ryan’s created as an ode to his favorite lyrics, and a few of each musician’s songs, to give you a crash course on these talented rising stars.
Kathy Yaeji Lee, known commonly as Yaeji, is a Korean American singer, DJ, and producer based in New York City. Often sporting round, thin-framed glasses and choppy bangs, she emanates an effortless, carefree aura that’s difficult to replicate. She isn’t afraid to show off her charismatic personality; and that’s what we love about her.
Her music is mellow and ethereal, yet seducing and sultry all at the same time. She’s the queen of taking multiple elements to create something entirely original. Whether she’s remixing an existing song, combining house, hip hop, and trap, or incorporating both English and Korean lyrics, the end result is always a bop.
In fact, Yaeji started to break through because of this talent. Her second official release, “Guap”, is a cover of a song by Mall Grab, an Australian DJ. And she first started gaining attention in 2017 after remixing Drake’s “Passionfruit” during her first Boiler Room session.
With “What We Drew 우리가 그려왔던”—her first full album—Yaeji shows how far she can explore different sounds and genres. She plays with distorted vocals, dreamy synths, catchy basslines, and collaborations with other talented artists, such as YonYon, G.L.A.M., and Nappy Nina.
The project was released in April 2020, only a month into the COVID-19 pandemic, and its unorthodox, experimental sound perfectly matched the turbulent mindset that many of us had during that time. A review by The Guardian aptly describes the album as “dance music for an existential crisis.”
But you can’t get a full understanding of Yaeji by only listening to her songs; you need to see her DJ, too. With each show, she intends to create community and make space for queer people of color. In an interview with Mixmag, she said, “We all experience pain and through that we can empower each other and create a family together.”
During the pandemic—when we needed community the most—Yaeji produced elaborate at-home shows to uplift our spirits. In a livestream in August 2020, she incorporated FaceTime video calls, video gameplay, and nature documentary-style visuals to raise money for The Bail Project.
Yaeji can do it all. Whether you need to study, throw a dinner party, or dance the night away, her music will give you exactly what you need. If you want to witness one of her unforgettable shows, check her website for upcoming performances.
Published on October 3, 2022
Words and art by Ryan Quan
Ryan Quan is JoySauce's social media manager, associate editor, and all-around visual eye. This queer, half-Chinese, half-Filipino writer and graphic designer loves everything related to music, creative nonfiction, and art. Based in Brooklyn, he spends most of his time dancing to hyperpop and accidentally falling asleep on the subway. Follow him on Instagram at @ryanquans, and check out his work on his website.