# Bebe Rexha
**Bebe Rexha** (born Bleta Rexha, 1989, in New York, NY) is an American pop singer and songwriter who wrote hit songs for other artists before building a multi-platinum solo career of her own[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography). She first drew industry attention as the writer of "The Monster," a number-one Billboard Hot 100 hit for Eminem and Rihanna, and later scored her own crossover smashes with "Meant to Be" and "I'm Good (Blue)"[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | Bleta Rexha, 1989, New York, NY; grew up in Staten Island as the daughter of Albanian immigrants[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography) • [3](https://time.com/5317477/bebe-rexha-sisterhood-pop-music/) |
| Breakthrough as writer | "The Monster" (Eminem featuring Rihanna) reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and went RIAA quadruple-Platinum[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography) • [2](https://press.warnerrecords.com/sites/g/files/g2000014901/files/2022-07/bebe-rexha-to-release-expectations_1523904686612.pdf) |
| Biggest solo hits | "Meant to Be" with Florida Georgia Line (number two on the Hot 100, a record 28 weeks atop Hot Country Songs) and "I'm Good (Blue)" with David Guetta (Grammy-nominated, topped charts in nearly two dozen countries)[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography) |
| Studio albums | Expectations (2018), Better Mistakes (2021), Bebe (2023), Dirty Blonde (2026)[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography) |
| Labels | Warner Bros. from 2013; independent era from 2026 under Bebe Rexha Music LLC / EMPIRE[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography) • [6](https://los40.com/2026/06/12/critica-de-dirty-blonde-de-bebe-rexha-una-diva-del-pop-sigue-siendolo-incluso-desde-un-sello-independiente/) |
| Grammy nominations | "Meant to Be" and "I'm Good (Blue)" both received Grammy nominations[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography) |
## Early life and start in music
Rexha grew up in [Staten Island](https://www.edgepedia.org/staten-island) as the daughter of Albanian immigrants and began performing in musicals at age four[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography) • [3](https://time.com/5317477/bebe-rexha-sisterhood-pop-music/). She has said she started writing poems at eight and wrote her first song at 16[5](https://www.nme.com/features/bebe-rexha-interview-firsts-2921322). As a teenager she was named Best Teen Songwriter at the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences' annual Grammy Day event, where she met a range of established producers[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography). A New York native, she also commuted from Staten Island to attend songwriting workshops at BMI[4](https://www.bmi.com/spotlight/indie-spotlight-lolla-rewind-bebe-rexha).
In 2010, [Fall Out Boy](https://www.edgepedia.org/fall-out-boy)'s Pete Wentz recruited her for Black Cards, a side project intended to reflect his more experimental and electronic side. Rexha sang on several EPs before leaving the band in 2012 to pursue a solo career[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography). She uploaded demos and acoustic covers to YouTube and signed with Warner Bros. in 2013[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography).
## Songwriting for other artists
Rexha's early industry footprint came through songs she wrote or co-wrote for others. She penned "Like a Champion" for Selena Gomez and "Glowing" for Nikki Williams, but the track that changed her standing was "The Monster," which she wrote for Eminem and Rihanna; it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified quadruple-Platinum in the United States[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography) • [2](https://press.warnerrecords.com/sites/g/files/g2000014901/files/2022-07/bebe-rexha-to-release-expectations_1523904686612.pdf).
She also co-wrote and carried the hook of "Hey Mama," David Guetta's double-platinum single with [Nicki Minaj](https://www.edgepedia.org/nicki-minaj) and Afrojack, which passed one billion YouTube/VEVO views and was nominated for a Billboard Music Award for Top Dance/Electronic Song[2](https://press.warnerrecords.com/sites/g/files/g2000014901/files/2022-07/bebe-rexha-to-release-expectations_1523904686612.pdf). By 2018, BMI described her as a go-to songwriter and collaborator for artists including Guetta and Minaj, Martin Garrix ("In the Name of Love"), Rita Ora ("Girls"), and the Chainsmokers ("Call You Mine")[4](https://www.bmi.com/spotlight/indie-spotlight-lolla-rewind-bebe-rexha).
## Solo career: EPs and Expectations
Her first EP, *I Don't Wanna Grow Up*, arrived in May 2015 with the singles "I'm Gonna Show You Crazy" and "I Can't Stop Drinking Without You"[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography). In 2016 she reached the pop Top Ten with "Me, Myself & I," her collaboration with rapper G-Eazy, and was featured on [Martin Garrix](https://www.edgepedia.org/martin-garrix)'s multi-platinum "In the Name of Love," which had climbed into the Top 30 by the end of that year[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography).
Rather than a conventional album, her next project was a pair of six-track EPs: *All Your Fault, Pt. 1* in early 2017 (with Ty Dolla $ign and G-Eazy) and *All Your Fault, Pt. 2* in August 2017 (with [Lil Wayne](https://www.edgepedia.org/lil-wayne), 2 Chainz, Gucci Mane, Cashmere Cat, and [Florida Georgia Line](https://www.edgepedia.org/florida-georgia-line))[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography). The song with Florida Georgia Line, "Meant to Be," became a country-pop crossover phenomenon: it reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, received a Grammy nomination, and spent a record 28 weeks at number one on the [Hot Country Songs](https://www.edgepedia.org/hot-country-songs) chart[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography). At the time of its release, Warner noted it had made Rexha the first female artist in history to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Chart[2](https://press.warnerrecords.com/sites/g/files/g2000014901/files/2022-07/bebe-rexha-to-release-expectations_1523904686612.pdf).
Her debut full-length album, *Expectations*, was released on June 22, 2018, via Warner Bros. Records, with Rexha co-writing and co-producing every song and production from [Max Martin](https://www.edgepedia.org/max-martin), Ali Payami, Jason Evigan, Louis Bell, the Stereotypes, and Hit-Boy, among others[2](https://press.warnerrecords.com/sites/g/files/g2000014901/files/2022-07/bebe-rexha-to-release-expectations_1523904686612.pdf). Critics were divided: Metacritic recorded a metascore of 65 based on six reviews, with NME and The Independent scoring it 80 and The Guardian 20[9](https://www.metacritic.com/music/expectations/bebe-rexha/critic-reviews). The Guardian's review argued that her many disparate collaborations suggested an artist searching for an identity, while The Independent praised the album's range and called it a culmination of eight years of industry work[7](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/22/bebe-rexha-expectations-review-fiercely-trite-pop) • [8](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/5sos-new-album-review-bebe-rexha-nine-inch-nails-kamasi-washington-a8408281.html).
## Better Mistakes and Bebe
Rexha's second album, *Better Mistakes* (2021), returned to her roots with a punk-inflected sound and emotionally direct lyrics, and featured guests ranging from [Travis Barker](https://www.edgepedia.org/travis-barker) to Pink Sweat$ and Lunay[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography) • [10](https://contentmode.com/bebe-rexha/).
In 2023 she pivoted to dance music on her self-titled third album, *Bebe*, which included the Grammy-nominated global smash "I'm Good (Blue)" with [David Guetta](https://www.edgepedia.org/david-guetta). The song interpolated [Eiffel 65](https://www.edgepedia.org/eiffel-65)'s "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" and topped charts in nearly two dozen countries; it was her sixth collaboration with Guetta[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography). *Bebe* also contained the Grammy-nominated Guetta collaboration "One in a Million" and featured [Snoop Dogg](https://www.edgepedia.org/snoop-dogg) ("Satellite") and Dolly Parton ("Seasons")[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography).
## Independent era and Dirty Blonde
Rexha left [Warner Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/warner-records) and moved to [Empire Distribution](https://www.edgepedia.org/empire-distribution), marking a shift to independent releases[6](https://los40.com/2026/06/12/critica-de-dirty-blonde-de-bebe-rexha-una-diva-del-pop-sigue-siendolo-incluso-desde-un-sello-independiente/). In early 2026 she released the singles "I Like You Better Than Me" and "Çike Çike," followed by "New Religion" with [Faithless](https://www.edgepedia.org/faithless), which samples Faithless's 1995 track "Insomnia" and reached number one on the Billboard Dance/Airplay chart and US dance radio[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography) • [11](https://los40.com/2026/05/05/bebe-rexha-rompe-a-llorar-al-celebrar-su-ultimo-logro-en-estados-unidos-con-new-religion-esto-se-siente-como-un-renacimiento/).
Her fourth album, *Dirty Blonde*, was released on June 12, 2026, her first fully independent album. It was presented as a visual album with 13 songs and 13 completed music videos, extending her electronic dance era with the Guetta collaboration "Sad Girls," the house-inflected "Çike Çike," and the trance-styled "Hysteria"[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography) • [12](https://los40.com/2026/02/13/la-nueva-era-de-bebe-rexha-se-abre-con-el-disco-dirty-blonde/). Reviews noted the album's genre-spanning production while observing that its breadth sometimes came at the cost of cohesion[6](https://los40.com/2026/06/12/critica-de-dirty-blonde-de-bebe-rexha-una-diva-del-pop-sigue-siendolo-incluso-desde-un-sello-independiente/).
## Collaborations and public profile
Collaboration has been a constant of Rexha's career, spanning electronic artists (Cash Cash, David Guetta, Martin Garrix), rappers (G-Eazy, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj), and country acts (Florida Georgia Line)[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography). Later high-profile pairings include Kylie Minogue and Tove Lo on "My Oh My," Netsky on "Light That Leads Me" (2025), and Faithless on "Dollars and Dimes"[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography).
Her public statements have also drawn attention. Before the 2019 Grammys, she said publicly that several fashion houses had declined to dress her because of her body type; she attended the ceremony in a dress by Moonsori, and the episode prompted a wider conversation about the fashion industry's treatment of artists on red carpets[13](https://los40.com/2026/09/28/bebe-rexha-recuerda-como-taylor-swift-la-ayudo-cuando-ningun-disenador-queria-vestirla-para-los-grammy/). In a 2018 Time interview, she described her early career as "all men, all the time" and spoke about building female community in the industry[3](https://time.com/5317477/bebe-rexha-sisterhood-pop-music/).
## References
1. [Bebe Rexha Biography, AllMusic (Neil Z. Yeung)](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bebe-rexha-mn0002992951/biography)
2. [BEBE REXHA TO RELEASE EXPECTATIONS JUNE 22ND, Warner Records press release (April 13, 2018)](https://press.warnerrecords.com/sites/g/files/g2000014901/files/2022-07/bebe-rexha-to-release-expectations_1523904686612.pdf)
3. [The New Women of Pop Are Choosing Sisterhood Over Competition, Time (Raisa Bruner, June 21, 2018)](https://time.com/5317477/bebe-rexha-sisterhood-pop-music/)
4. [Indie Spotlight Lolla Rewind: Bebe Rexha, BMI](https://www.bmi.com/spotlight/indie-spotlight-lolla-rewind-bebe-rexha)
5. [Bebe Rexha talks NME through her 'Firsts', NME](https://www.nme.com/features/bebe-rexha-interview-firsts-2921322)
6. [Crítica de 'Dirty Blonde' de Bebe Rexha, LOS40 (June 12, 2026)](https://los40.com/2026/06/12/critica-de-dirty-blonde-de-bebe-rexha-una-diva-del-pop-sigue-siendolo-incluso-desde-un-sello-independiente/)
7. [Bebe Rexha: Expectations review – fiercely trite pop, The Guardian (Laura Snapes, June 22, 2018)](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/22/bebe-rexha-expectations-review-fiercely-trite-pop)
8. [Album reviews: 5SOS, Bebe Rexha, Nine Inch Nails and more, The Independent (June 21, 2018)](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/5sos-new-album-review-bebe-rexha-nine-inch-nails-kamasi-washington-a8408281.html)
9. [Critic Reviews for Expectations, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/music/expectations/bebe-rexha/critic-reviews)
10. [Bebe Rexha interview, ContentMode](https://contentmode.com/bebe-rexha/)
11. [Bebe Rexha celebra su número 1 con 'New Religion', LOS40 (May 5, 2026)](https://los40.com/2026/05/05/bebe-rexha-rompe-a-llorar-al-celebrar-su-ultimo-logro-en-estados-unidos-con-new-religion-esto-se-siente-como-un-renacimiento/)
12. [La nueva era de Bebe Rexha se abre con el disco 'Dirty Blonde', LOS40 (February 13, 2026)](https://los40.com/2026/02/13/la-nueva-era-de-bebe-rexha-se-abre-con-el-disco-dirty-blonde/)
13. [Bebe Rexha recuerda cómo Taylor Swift la ayudó para los Grammy, LOS40 (September 28, 2026)](https://los40.com/2026/09/28/bebe-rexha-recuerda-como-taylor-swift-la-ayudo-cuando-ningun-disenador-queria-vestirla-para-los-grammy/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Individual musical biographies › Pop and R&B singer-songwriters › Dance and electronic singers, 2000s to present*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license