The 33-year-old New York City-born Bebe Rexha is one of the fastest-rising names in popular music. The artist came up in 2013 as a songwriter on the Grammy Award-winning song, “The Monster,” by Eminem. Since then, she has written for other artists (as you can see below) and undertaken her own solo career, beginning with her debut EP in 2015.
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To date, the songwriter has released three studio LPs from the 2018 offering, Expectations to Bebe, which she dropped in April of 2023. Below, we wanted to dive into a handful of songs you likely didn’t know Bebe Rexha wrote for other artists, including Iggy Azalea.
1. “Team,” Iggy Azalea
Written by Lauren Christy, Bebe Rexha, Iggy Azalea, Omega, Fuego, STIX, Louis Harden, Marlon Barrow, Ryan Avilez
The Australian lyricist released “Team” in 2016. It features Azalea rapping about the ups and downs in her life and coming to the conclusion that as long as she loves herself, she doesn’t need anyone else—she’s a one-person team.
Keep on pushing like a dealer (say what?)
(Hell nah) Keep on shooting, Reggie Miller (say what?)
(Hell nah) Go and give ’em all the finger
You gotta set the score right, call it Hans Zimmer
My time wherever I go
I took a chance like I’m from Chicago
Hundred-plus in that Murcielago
‘Bout to go ape, hey, yurn it to the cango
Baby, I got me
Baby, I got me
And that’s all I need
Yeah, that’s all I need
Baby, I got me
Only friend, by me
Playing on my team
Is someone like
2. “Glowing,” Nikki Williams
Written by Arnthor Birgisson, Sandy Wilhelm, Bebe Rexha, Daniel James, Leah Haywood
The South African singer-songwriter released her debut single, “Kill, Fuck, Marry,” co-written by Sia, in 2012. Williams released her second single, “Glowing,” later that year, which includes the hand of Bebe Rexha at the pen. The song hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart and later No. 21 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart. The song is an ode to the person who helped the vocalist.
This is my confessional
Seven seconds till I hit the ground
But you saved my life!
Now I feel indestructible
So protected when you’re around
Yeah, you saved my life!
You make me, you make me feel so incredible
You and I, you and I feels unbelievable
You’re making, you’re make yeah so undeniable
3. “Hey Mama,” David Guetta
Written by David Guetta, Giorgio Tuinfort, Ester Dean, Nicki Minaj, Afrojack, Sean Douglas, Bebe Rexha
From the French producer David Guetta, “Hey Mama” features rapper Nicki Minaj and singer Bebe Rexha. Both Minaj and Rexha have writing credits on the track, too. The tune, which hit No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, at first didn’t officially credit Rexha as a featured performer on the song—she sings the chorus. But after consideration, she now appears as of 2015.
Beating my drum like, dum-di-di-day
I like the dirty rhythm you play
I wanna hear you calling my name
Like, “Hey, mama, mama, hey, mama, ma”
Banging the drum like, dum-di-di-day (hey)
I know you want it in the worst way
I wanna hear you calling my name
Like, “Hey, mama, mama, hey, mama, ma” (hey)
Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
