Emily Li (born October 3, 1999), professionally known as Emei, is an American alternative pop musician based in Los Angeles, California.
Li was born on October 3, 1999, in New Jersey to Chinese immigrant parents. She grew up listening to Amy Winehouse, Ella Fitzgerald, the Jackson 5, Sara Bareilles, and Taylor Swift, and has been singing since she was 9 years old.
As a teenager, Li competed on Dancing with the Stars in China.
When Li was 15, she took a year off from school to compete on Chinese Idol and placed third. She attended Yale University, where she was a member of its a cappella group Mixed Company.
In 2022, Li's single âÂÂLate to the Partyâ went viral, gaining 5.5 million streams on music platforms and 9.5 million views on TikTok and Instagram Reels. Her 2024 single with Whethan, âÂÂSUNNYDâÂÂ, was also a smash hit. It was adopted by SunnyD, the orange juice company, as its song of the year.
In January 2023, she performed at the halftime of a Los Angeles Clippers game against the San Antonio Spurs. In November 2023, Li teamed up with production duo NOTD on "Hold On Me".
Li's stage name is "a cross between her Chinese name, An Mei, and her English nickname, Emmy."
In November 2024, Li released her third EP, RABBITHOLE. She described it as âÂÂgoing through this journey of going down into panic and anxiety and then coming out of it.âÂÂ
In 2022, Li graduated from Yale University with a degree in cognitive science.
In 2024, Li lost her grandmother, who was a big part of her childhood. The song "ginger tea" is dedicated to her.