Bebe Rexha is without doubt one of pop music’s most underrated artists, however, it seems that 2018 is the year that she finally gets the recognition she deserves. Ahead of the release of her highly anticipated debut album Expectations, Bebe sat down with Schön! Magazine to discuss her forthcoming music, songwriting and coming full circle.
The talented singer and songwriter has made a name for herself over recent years following the release of her EPs All My Fault Part 1 and Part 2, in addition to collaborations with the likes of Martin Garrix, Louis Tomlinson and G-Eazy. However, her recent single ‘Meant To Be’ featuring Florida Georga Line has propelled Bebe to stratospheric new heights.
Among its many achievements, ‘Meant To Be’ has broken the record for the highest number of weeks spent at No.1 on the Hot Country Chart for a female lead vocal. The track has charted across the world and has been streamed over one billion times (audio and visual).
Speaking about the track’s phenomenal success, Bebe said: “I don’t know, I just went in and did what I do best and Florida Georgia Line did what they do best, and we were lucky to create this incredible song. It’s rare for a song to work in the country and pop chart simultaneously. I never thought being a girl from New York that I would ever have a country hit but I feel lucky that the country community has been so welcoming.”
Whilst ‘Meant To Be’ is still enjoying great success, Bebe is gearing up for the release of her debut album Expectations, which is due on June 22. She has already treated fans to two songs from the album: ‘Ferrari’ and ‘2 Souls On Fire’ featuring Quavo, which give us a taste of the variety we can expect.
Speaking about what listeners can look forward to from her debut album, Bebe told Schön!: “People can expect a lot of guitar sounds over 808 drums, mixing a lot of what I’ve done before with my influences also included – for me it’s a fresh sound. This album really shows the artist I truly am. I’ve taken all the things that have influenced my life, the artists that have inspired me musically and created an album that is honest and real.”
Music is a vital part of many people’s lives, and as Bebe acknowledges, it can often be a release for her fans which is why she likes to connect with fans through her songs. “With my music I always feel that it’s important to make my fans feel like they are not alone,” she said. “I think life in general is beautiful but also hard at times, I feel like if I can make someone feel better for 3 mins and 30 secs then I’ve done my job.”
Whilst many will know Bebe for songs such as ‘Meant To Be’, ‘The Way I Are (Dance With Somebody)’, ‘In The Name Of Love’, and ‘Me Myself and I’, she first made huge waves in the industry as the songwriter behind ‘The Monster’, Eminem and Rihanna’s global smash hit. Earlier this year, Bebe had the opportunity to meet Eminem for the first time and actually perform the song with him during his set at Coachella Festival.
Speaking about performing with the rapper, Bebe said: “It was incredible, having never had the chance to meet Eminem until that point and then when I do it’s performing to all those people at Coachella for his headline set…and I hear Rihanna was in the crowd, I hope she liked what I did.”
Despite finding it tough to pass on the song in the first place, Bebe acknowledged that it was an important move in her career. She also spoke about the fact that performing the song with Eminem meant that she’d come full circle with regards to ‘Monster’.
“At the time it was very hard giving up Monster, I knew when writing it that it was a big song but it was necessary in order for people to really take me seriously as songwriter and as I say for it to come full circle with me performing the song with Eminem at Coachella was incredible. Songwriting is absolutely essential for me both as an artist and person, it’s a therapy for me.”
Bebe Rexha’s full interview with Schön! Magazine is available here.
Expectations is available to pre-order now.