Bebe Rexha

Bebe Rexha

Rexha in 2016
Background information
Birth name Bleta Rexha
Born (1989-08-30) August 30, 1989
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • trumpet
Labels
Associated acts
Website beberexha.com

Bleta "Bebe" Rexha (Albanian pronunciation: [ˌblɛta ˌbibi ˈɾɛd͡ʒa];[1] (born August 30, 1989) is an American singer, songwriter and record producer of Albanian descent.[2][3] She is best known as a featured singer on several Billboard Hot 100 songs, including G-Eazy's "Me, Myself & I" and David Guetta's "Hey Mama".[4][5] She also co-wrote the chart-topping Eminem and Rihanna single, "The Monster" (among many other songs).[2][6] In March 2016, she released "No Broken Hearts", featuring Nicki Minaj,[7] the first single from her upcoming debut studio album, All Your Fault.[8] The album is due to be released on February 2017.[9]

Early life and education

Rexha was born Bleta Rexha in Brooklyn, New York to ethnic Albanian parents, who emigrated to the United States in the 1980s.[3] Her first name, Bleta, means "bumble bee" in Albanian, which is why she uses the nickname "Bebe".[2] The family moved to Staten Island, New York when Rexha was six. Beginning in elementary school, Rexha played the trumpet for nine years and eventually taught herself how to play guitar and piano.[10][11] Rexha attended Tottenville High School in Staten Island,[12] where she took part in a variety of musicals.[4][13] She also joined the choir while in high school.[11] There she learned that her voice was a coloratura soprano.[14][15]

As a teenager, Rexha submitted a song to the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences' annual "Grammy Day" event. Rexha earned the "Best Teen Songwriter" award, beating around 700 other entrants.[3][16][17] She would later come into contact with talent scout, Samantha Cox, who convinced Rexha to enroll in songwriting classes in New York City. At the time, she was 15 years old and took the classes with men in their 40s.[10][18]

Career

Rexha with Pete Wentz on September 1st, 2011 at the Rumsey Playfield.

Rexha's career began after she had a chance encounter with Fall Out Boy bassist, Pete Wentz, at a New York City recording studio in 2010.[11][19] She would eventually become the lead vocalist of Wentz's new experimental project, Black Cards. The band played a variety of live shows and released several singles and remixes. In January 2012, however, Wentz announced that Rexha had left the band to pursue other endeavors.[20]

In 2013, Rexha was signed to Warner Bros. Records as a solo artist.[21] Prior to signing, Rexha had written several songs, including "Like a Champion" for Selena Gomez and "Glowing" for Nikki Williams.[6] Her most prominent songwriting effort of 2013 was Eminem and Rihanna's "The Monster." Rexha had begun writing and producing the song with Jon Bellion, Frequency, and Aalias in 2012, and it was intended to be on her own upcoming album. It was originally titled, "Monster Under My Bed." The song eventually made its way to Riggs Morales, the Vice President of A&R at Atlantic Records, who stripped the original version down and made it the fourth single off of Eminem's album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2. It went on to top the charts for the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[22] Rexha also wrote and was featured on Cash Cash's single, "Take Me Home" that year.[21][23]

On March 21, 2014, Rexha released her debut single "I Can't Stop Drinking About You."[23] The song peaked at number 22 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart.[24] The music video for the song was released on August 12, 2014 and was inspired by imagery from films like Girl, Interrupted and Melancholia.[25] Rexha released two more singles, "I'm Gonna Show You Crazy" and "Gone," in December 2014.[26][27] Her debut EP was released through Warner Bros. on May 12, 2015 and was entitled I Don't Wanna Grow Up.[28]

Earlier in 2014, Rexha was featured on rapper Pitbull's song "This Is Not a Drill."[29] She also co-wrote[6] and was featured in David Guetta's "Hey Mama" also featuring Nicki Minaj and Afrojack. The song peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received 1.1 million downloads by June 2015. The song did not originally give Rexha a feature credit despite the fact that she sings the chorus and background vocals. She was eventually given a feature credit in June 2015.[28][30]

In October 2015, Rexha co-wrote and was featured on G-Eazy's "Me, Myself & I" which peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100[31] at number 1 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart.[32] The song was originally titled "I Don't Need Anything" and was intended as a song for Rexha herself. Instead, she brought the song idea to G-Eazy and was featured during the chorus.[33]

In March 2016, Rexha released the first single off of her debut album, A.Y.F.. The single, "No Broken Hearts," features Nicki Minaj and was produced by The Invisible Men.[7][18] Prior to the release of the song, Rexha saw Minaj's manager, Gee Roberson, at a party. She let him listen to the track and asked if Minaj would do a feature. Roberson sent the song to Minaj and she agreed to do the feature. The music video for the song was released in April 2016 and was directed by Dave Meyer.[34] The video had accumulated over 135 million views on YouTube.[35] A.Y.F. is due to be released[9] in January 2017.

On July 29, 2016, Rexha together with Dutch DJ and record producer Martin Garrix released the single "In the Name of Love". It has since peaked at number 30 on US Billboard Hot 100, at number 7 on US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs and has entered the top 10 charts in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Italy and New Zealand. The music video was released on 23 August 2016 on Martin Garrix YouTube Channel.

On November 6, 2016, Rexha hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA), taking place in Rotterdam, Netherlands. She also performed her new single "I Got You".[36]

Discography

EPs

Albums

Production and writing credits

Rexha has written and co-produced for a number of artists, including:[37]

Year Artist Album Song
2010 Shinee Lucifer "Lucifer"
Nikki Williams N/A "Glowing"
2013 Selena Gomez Stars Dance "Like a Champion"
Eminem
(featuring Rihanna)		 The Marshall Mathers LP 2 "The Monster"
Cash Cash
(featuring Bebe Rexha)		 Overtime (EP)
and Blood, Sweat & 3 Years		 "Take Me Home"
2014 Tinashe Aquarius "All Hands on Deck"
Pitbull
(featuring Bebe Rexha)		 Globalization "This Is Not a Drill"
David Guetta
(featuring Bebe Rexha)		 Listen "Yesterday"
David Guetta
(featuring Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha and Afrojack)		 "Hey Mama"
Bella Thorne Jersey "Jersey"
"One More Night"
2015 Havana Brown
(featuring Bebe Rexha and Savi)		 N/A "Battle Cry"
Reykon
(featuring Bebe Rexha)		 "All the Way"
G-Eazy
(with Bebe Rexha)		 When It's Dark Out "Me, Myself & I"
2016 Iggy Azalea Digital Distortion "Team"
"Three Day Weekend"
Nick Jonas Last Year Was Complicated "Under You"
Martin Garrix
(with Bebe Rexha)		 TBA "In the Name of Love"

Awards and nominations

Year Event Prize Nominated work Result
2015 Teen Choice Awards[38] Best Collaboration "Hey Mama" Nominated
MTV Europe Music Awards[39] Best Collaboration
MTV Video Music Awards Song of Summer
2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards[40] Dance Song of the Year
Billboard Music Award[41] Top Dance/Electronic Song
MTV Europe Music Awards Best New Act Bebe Rexha Nominated
Best Push Act Nominated
Best Look Nominated

Tours

Co-headlining
Opening act

References

  1. ↑ Team, Forvo. "Bleta Bebe Rexha pronunciation: How to pronounce Bleta Bebe Rexha in Albanian". Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Macas, Trisha (28 June 2016). "Bebe Rexha: Music is about making people know they're not alone". GMA Network. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Ebro Darden (host), Bebe Rexha (guest) (17 April 2016). Bebe Rexha talking about being Serbian and songwriting (Ebro Darden Interview). YouTube. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  4. 1 2 Lange, Maggie (6 April 2016). "Meet Bebe Rexha, the Woman Who's Been Making All Those Top 40 Songs So Catchy". GQ. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  5. ↑ Goodman, William (22 July 2016). "Bebe Rexha Plays Hits & New Tracks at Acoustic 'Next Up' Seattle Show". Billboard. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 "7 Songs You Didn't Know Bebe Rexha Wrote". Yahoo! Music. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  7. 1 2 Riotta, Chris (16 March 2016). "Nicki Minaj and Bebe Rexha's New Song "No Broken Hearts" Is the Breakup Anthem You Needed". Mic. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  8. ↑ Wass, Mike (28 June 2016). "Bebe Rexha's Debut Album Is Called 'A.Y.F.'". Idolator. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 Wass, Mike (8 August 2016). "Bebe Rexha's Debut LP 'A.Y.F.' Is Due In October". Idolator. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  10. 1 2 Vincentelli, Elisabeth (4 July 2015). "Rihanna dissed me, so I wrote her a hit song". New York Post. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 Nelson, Jeff (30 June 2016). "5 Things to Know About Bebe Rexha, the Breakout Singer-Songwriter You Need to Know (But Have Already Heard!)". People. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  12. ↑ Geisler, Conan (29 June 2016). "Eminem's 'The Monster' co-writer Bebe Rexha visits Philippines, hates to fly". Yibada. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  13. ↑ Rama, Albana (9 June 2014). "Singer Bebe Rexha wrote song for Eminem". Kosovo Diaspora. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  14. ↑ Nunn, Jerry (31 May 2016). "NUNN ON ONE: MUSIC Singer Bebe Rexha: 'Hearts' and soul". Windy City Times. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  15. ↑ Bebe Rexha (guest) (21 January 2016). Bebe Rexha: "Classical Songs Make Me Cry". Fuse. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  16. ↑ McGahan, Michelle (27 August 2014). "Bebe Rexha Talks Writing Eminem and Rihanna's 'The Monster,' Her Single 'I Can't Stop Drinking About You' + More [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]". PopCrush. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  17. ↑ Tanasă, Raluca (14 August 2014). "Bebe Rexha pune Albania pe harta starurilor pop internaționale - VIDEO" (in Romanian). INFOMUSIC. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  18. 1 2 Feeney, Nolan (21 June 2016). "Bebe Rexha's 7-step guide to breaking into the music industry". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  19. ↑ Song, Sandra (13 April 2016). "It's Bebe Rexha's Time to Shine". Paper. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  20. ↑ Montgomery, James (13 January 2012). "Pete Wentz Talks Future Of Black Cards". MTV. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  21. 1 2 Kennedy, John (24 October 2013). "Singer Bebe Rexha Talks Co-Writing Eminem And Rihanna's 'MMLP2' Collaboration 'The Monster'". Vibe. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  22. ↑ Tanners, Jon (7 January 2014). "Creating a Monster: How Bebe Rexha's Song Became Eminem's Chart-Topping Hit". Pigeons and Planes. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  23. 1 2 Yotka, Steff (21 March 2014). "Song Premiere: Bebe Rexha". Nylon. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  24. ↑ "Bebe Rexha - Chart History - Heatseekers Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  25. ↑ Midgarden, Cory (13 August 2014). "Meet Bebe Rexha: The Anti-Katy Perry Of Pop". MTV. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  26. ↑ Wass, Mike (17 December 2014). "Bebe Rexha Unveils Her "I'm Gonna Show You Crazy" Cover Art And Shares Two New Snippets: Listen". Idolator. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  27. ↑ Stern, Bradley (22 December 2014). "Bebe Rexha Debuts Powerful Ballad, "Gone": Idolator Premiere". Idolator. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  28. 1 2 Lipshutz, Jason (29 April 2015). "Bebe Rexha Explains Why She Isn't (Officially) Featured on David Guetta's 'Hey Mama'". Billboard. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  29. ↑ Wass, Mike (21 November 2014). "Bebe Rexha Teams Up With Pitbull On "This Is Not A Drill": Listen To The 'Globalization' Trap-Pop Anthem". Idolator. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  30. ↑ Ryan, Patrick (23 June 2015). "'Hey,' Bebe! 'Mama' singer gets due credit". USA Today. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  31. ↑ Ryan, Patrick (5 August 2016). "Q&A: G-Eazy on 'terrifying' Donald Trump, working with Britney Spears". USA Today. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  32. ↑ Trust, Gary (11 April 2016). "G-Eazy & Bebe Rexha Rule Pop Songs Chart With 'Me, Myself & I'". Billboard. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  33. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (22 January 2016). "Bebe Rexha Tells Origin Story of G-Eazy's "Me, Myself & I": Interview". Fuse. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  34. ↑ Wass, Mike (14 April 2016). "Bebe Rexha On "No Broken Hearts," Songwriting & Her Debut LP: Interview". Idolator. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  35. ↑ Levine, Nick (11 July 2016). ""Respect My Grind": Bebe Rexha Steps Up". Noisey. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  36. ↑ Atkinson, Katie (November 6, 2016). "Watch Bebe Rexha Perform 'I Got You' at 2016 MTV EMAs". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Bebe Rexha - Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  38. ↑ "Teen Choice Awards 2015 Winners: Full List". Variety. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  39. ↑ Sartore-Bodo, Dina (25 October 2015). "MTV Europe Music Awards 2015 Winners List: Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj & More". Hollywoodlife.com. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  40. ↑ "iHeartRadio Music Awards 2016: See the Full Winners List". Billboard. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  41. ↑ "Billboard Music Awards 2016: Complete Winners List". Billboard. 22 May 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  42. ↑ Graham, Adam (23 July 2015). "Bebe Rexha breaks out on Warped Tour". The Detroit News. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  43. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (18 May 2015). "Nick Jonas Announces 'Live In Concert' Tour: See the Dates!". Billboard. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  44. ↑ "Photos: Ellie Goulding Brings Her Delirium World Tour to Chicago". The Early Registration. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.

External links

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