Bebe Rexha on New Music, Insecurities

The American artist also discusses how she deals with mental health issues

- DAVID BRITTO

WHEN AMERICAN ARTIST BEBE REXHA left college, with only $600 in her bank account, she began shopping for a record deal. To her disappointment, the singer-songwriter fell short at bagging one at the time. However, to her sheer luck, rapper Eminem heard her song “The Monster” and asked to have it. The track went on to become a smash hit offSlim Shady’s 2013 album The Marshall Mathers LP 2 that featured Rihanna on vocals. Rexha received writing credits for the song – which also went on to win the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Rap/ Sung Performance – after which her life completely changed.

Since then, there have been more hit collaborations with artists such as G-Eazy (“Me Myself & I”), The Chainsmokers (“Call Me”), Martin Garrix (“In The Name Of Love”), David Guetta and J Balvin (“Say My Name”) and more. In 2018, Rexha released her full-length debut album Expectations to positive reviews and is now readying her sophomore record. The vocalist recently released the LP’s first single, the funky and dancey “Baby, I’m Jealous,” featuring rapper Doja Cat.

In this exclusive interview with Rolling Stone India, Rexha talks about how her new music addresses her insecurities, gives advice to people suffering from anxiety or depression, being a torchbearer for women and more.

I caught your American Music Awards set with Doja Cat, it looked terrific online. What was it like for you performing in that sort of environment and atmosphere? I read that there were cardboard cutouts and stuff around.