Bebe Rexha between pop authenticity and constant reinvention
La artista Bebe Rexha durante una presentación en directo, combinando fuerza vocal y estética pop.
Bebe Rexha has emerged as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary pop, with a career that blends songwriting talent, vocal strength, and a clear artistic vision. From her early days in Brooklyn to her global rise as a performer and producer, she has crossed musical boundaries while staying true to herself. Through major collaborations, personal albums, and a powerful digital presence, Rexha has built an authentic brand that resonates across generations and challenges traditional norms within the music industry.
Origins and early steps in the music industry
Bebe Rexha was born in Brooklyn to Albanian-Kosovar immigrant parents. From a young age, she showed interest in music and singing, learning to play the trumpet and teaching herself piano and guitar. Her powerful voice and songwriting ability drew attention in her school environment, where she won a composition award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Her first professional recognition came in 2010, when she joined the experimental pop band Black Cards, founded by Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy. Although the project did not achieve commercial success, it gave her stage experience and led to a songwriting contract with EMI Music Publishing.
Songwriter for major names before stardom
Before launching her solo career, Rexha made a name for herself as a songwriter. She was behind one of Eminem and Rihanna’s biggest hits, “The Monster,” which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2013. She also co-wrote songs for artists such as Selena Gomez, Nick Jonas, and Tinashe.
This period was crucial for her development as an artist. It gave her access to the most relevant circles in the music industry and allowed her to showcase a versatility that would later define her solo career.
Solo career and international success
In 2015, Bebe Rexha released her debut EP I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, followed by a series of successful collaborations that increased her visibility. Highlights include “Me, Myself & I” with G-Eazy and “In the Name of Love” with Martin Garrix, which became global hits. Her style blended electronic pop, confessional lyrics, and a visual aesthetic that mixed glamour with authenticity.
In 2018, her first studio album, Expectations, was nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys. It featured the track “Meant to Be” with Florida Georgia Line, a pop-country fusion that stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 50 weeks, setting a record at the time for a female artist.
Her second album, Better Mistakes (2021), explored themes of mental health, identity, and self-acceptance with a sound leaning toward alternative pop. In 2023, she released Bebe, a retro-inspired album with disco elements and collaborations with Dolly Parton and Snoop Dogg, reaffirming her multifaceted presence.
Image, style, and relationship with her body
Bebe Rexha has been one of the most consistent voices in challenging beauty standards within the music industry. She has publicly confronted brands and designers who refused to dress her because of her size, using her social media platforms to speak out against fatphobia and demand more realistic representation in pop music.
Her message has received strong support from fans, establishing her as a symbol of self-acceptance for a generation that values diversity. Rather than conform, she has used each controversy as an opportunity to strengthen her artistic and personal identity.
Controversies and public positions
In 2023, during a concert in New York, she was struck in the face by an object thrown from the audience, prompting widespread outrage. She responded professionally, completed her tour, and used the incident to raise awareness about concert safety and respect for performers.
At other times, she has addressed mental health, bisexuality, and emotional dependence, both in interviews and in her lyrics. She approaches these topics from a reflective perspective, never as marketing tools, which has fostered genuine connection with her audience.
Digital presence and communication strategy
Bebe Rexha has built a loyal community on social media. Her approach combines transparency, humor, and direct engagement with followers. Her YouTube channel has over 9 million subscribers, with content ranging from high-budget music videos to more intimate moments.
On TikTok, where she has millions of followers, she has gone viral with song snippets, dance challenges, and spontaneous posts that highlight her connection with younger audiences. Her strategy is not based on scandal, but on consistency and authenticity.
Impact and evolving legacy
Though still young, Bebe Rexha has already made a significant impact in the industry. Her ability to blend genres, write for others, perform with intensity, and resist external pressure positions her as a complete artist. Unlike many stars shaped by teams, Rexha has always been actively involved in every creative and business decision.
In a market driven by formulas, her staying power proves that authenticity can also build lasting careers. Her journey continues, marked by ongoing evolution, but always anchored in a distinct voice that aims not to please, but to express.
