Bebe Rexha

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
You're on with Mario lopet It's up round with Mario Lopez.
Join me now in studio. Singer, songwriter, producer v V REXA.
How are you, How are you? Good morning? I'm well,
thank you. It's a pleasure to meet. You've been a fan.
I'm been a fan too, so I said, so I said.
When I walked through, I was like, you look photoshop.
I love you. And now I'm a bigger fans. Like

(00:21):
you know, like a lot of times, like you'll meet
people and you're like, yeah, you look pretty, but like
you don't look your pictures, but you look like your pictures?
Oh is that a good thing? Okay, good, all right,
I'll take it. I'll take it. That's that's out. Well,
you're very pretty and really young. My god, it's very pretty. No,
because I was hesitating because you're a lot, I know,
being a song I always think songwriters have to be

(00:42):
old lady. Yeah, we're just older, right, because you have
to have wisdom and it's yeah, but I guess I'm
so very young. Yeah, I guess so um, yeah, I guess.
I don't know. But I think now there's like a
new wave of girls like last night, I hosted this
dinner called Women in Harmony, and I did like all
the um like the hottest songwriters UM and producers and

(01:06):
singers like you know just right now that a singer
songwriters and a lot of the girls that showed up.
We're just nineteen, all super young and like really killing
the game right now in Havana and have written. It
was like all these incredible records. That's cool, Yeah, very cool.
How did the name baby Rexa? That's a cool name.
My real name is and it's Albanian for bumblebee. Yeah,

(01:28):
because when I was born, my grandfather was like, oh wow,
we should call she's big eyes, like bumblebee eyes. So
nobody could ever pronounce my name. Yeah, And you think
I grew up in New York, so you think that
people will get it, but like my Spanish should call
me like a ticket and then and then somebody and

(01:50):
they call me blida and like just dragging it up.
So I was like, you don't call me baby. That's
how it happened, got it? Got it? No? Nice? Nice? Well,
First off, congrats on single. I mean you got on
YouTube on your career, right, thank you, thank you, about you, bob,
about you right here, when did you realize that meant

(02:11):
to be was something special? Um? I didn't really, I
just wanted like when it started, like really like, I
don't know, it was just it's just so weird to
me because I'm like, I never like, I'm a Brooklyn
I was born in Brooklyn, raise in New York, so
I like I was, I never grew uping like I
want to have a country smash, you know what I mean.
It's like it's just honestly incredible. I think the second
one to number one, I was like, oh this is

(02:31):
I think this is pretty big. So yeah, and then yeah,
how was it working with Florida Georgia Line? It was.
I was nervous. I never worked with any country artists.
And I remember going in the room and there's another
group called um Little Big Town, and I thought they
were a little Big Town and a Little Big Town
was floor Like I was just confused. So I walked
in and I was like, where are the girls? Like

(02:52):
I was like confused. He's like, no, we're Florida Georgia Line.
I was like oh, And I was like so nervous.
I'm like how do I write? What do I say?
Like I just like I was thinking, like, how do
country songs, like, how do we usually think country songs go?
Like we're in the hand porch, you know, like truck whiskey,
hair in the wind, and then I go in there
and it was so cool and they were just incredible

(03:13):
songwriters that just did their own thing. I did my
own thing, and then we just wrote this awesome song
and it was great, like it was so chill, and
and then after we were the song, the next day,
Tyler was like, y'all should come out to Nashville. I
was like why. He's like, I wanna fly. He's like,
I want to fly out your whole team, and I'm
like why. He's like, because we wrote a beautiful song.
And I was like, I was like, we don't do
what in Los Angeles, Like we write a song, it

(03:35):
goes number one, then it because like eight times plan
them and you still don't even receive like even some
flowers from the person that like that you gave a
song to. Right, Yeah, yeah, um, we're they're actually like
planning like this whole number one party in Nashville that
my managers like you have to go to. I'm like, okay,
I'm excited. It's like thousands of thousand people show up
or something, and it's like this insane thing. But it's

(03:57):
amazing because now you've you've had such success with country
fans and they like you do. I hope they like
me feel like the song would you can be open
to do in some more country in the future. I
actually have become like a really big fan of country music,
and I've been listening to a lot of the artists
and like yesterday, like I really like Kelsey Ballerini and
she showed up yesterday to the dinner and we got

(04:17):
to talk about some stuff. And I've always been a fanly,
like you know, certain artists, and the Dixie Chicks hit
up my manager and we want to do a song together.
And I was like, are you kidding me? The Dixie Chicks, Yes,
I'm down for it, but it's like, that's it's not
my not my sound. You know. I have like an
album coming out that I'm working out on, that working
on that has a specific sound, and I think people

(04:37):
are going to really understand it. But I think that, um,
it's interesting. I think when people listen to it, they're
gonna be like, I can hear why she's done this?
This and this like has all these worlds kind of
combined and it makes sense and like and then all
the collaborations that I've done makes sense. Explain it. At
the end of the day, good music is good storytelling
to write, so it can all relate and people can
appreciate it. But you mentioned your new album, Expectations. Yeah,

(04:59):
I Expectations. I think, like, you know, there's a song
that we're putting out first call Ferrari and like it's funny.
I was listening to it on you know, listening to
it on the way and it's just this incredible record
and we're I'm going more like old school like what
Inspired Me, which is like no Doubt and like Atlanta's
more set and and um. And it's funny because the
first line of the song is um every day He's
a blur. But let's like, but it's not a country song.

(05:21):
It's like a pop record, you know that pop But
I don't know what it's. I don't know what the
hell you call it, but it's like but when I
listen to it, I'm like, this is so funny. Like
when I listened to the album, like it has like
this main like vibe and then it kind of goes
a little bit like rhythmic and then it has a
little that twanky feel to it. But it's just me.
It's just so interesting. I think it'll make sense for
everybody because I think for me, it's like I've been
lucky enough to have like these incredible collaborations and to

(05:43):
be able to work with all these amazing artists. It's like,
but it's like who are you? You know, and we
know that you've had hits with this person and this person,
but like who are you as an artist? I think
that's more important for me right now than just having
like hit songs on the radio. Yeah, but I also
feel like you don't necessarily have to label yourself either,
right true. As far as a lot of people, yeah,
I don't like to stick in genre with a lot
of people are always like, oh my god, it's a

(06:05):
collaborating collaboration, queen, you know what I mean. Like I'm
like that, like, yeah, you're right, But like I think,
you know, a lot of people don't know the stories
behind like when I did Me Myself and I Are
the Monster with Eminem Marianna, It's like it's like I
had in those situations, I had nothing going for me,
So I had to get like I wanted. I wanted
to and had to also the time give monster way

(06:25):
because I knew that it would open doors for me
and that no nobody's going to sign me off of that.
Did you always write music? Did you study it as
a kid? How did you fall into it? It was
it just a passion from when you were young. I
don't know. I just like watching like Disney Channel and
stuff like that, and like I'm allowed to say that,
I just like watching like the like the little like
the Princesses and stuff, and they sang and I wanted

(06:47):
to sing like them. And then I watched Greece and
that inspired me. And I don't know, I just like music.
I think for me, I was always like this little
nervous girl, and I think that music made me feel
calm and I didn't know what it was doing to me,
and that was just like a feeling that I liked,
So I kept on just so it wasn't necessary like
your parents pushed you towards anything. My mom and dad

(07:09):
are from My dad's from Albania and he's like I
think he played clarinet at one point. But they were
like they told me that they gave me, Like they
were like, if you want to do music, you have
to do like classical opera music. So I tried doing that,
but it was like too competitive. It's like a really
crazy like they like like well, like you know, um,
when I went to do like a pre Juilliard audition,
like somebody broke somebody else's like violin or something like that,
like right there, it's like it's like great, Like you think,

(07:32):
like the pop world is crazy, like the classical world
is even crazier. Going to a school for creative performing arts,
I didn't get accepted, really, none of them. Look at
that and you're having the last laugh. Though. I didn't
accepted into n y U the clud Days program. I
was dying to get into that. I didn't get accepted.
I didn't get it. I didn't get accepted. And good
that it didn't discourage you in school music. I didn't

(07:52):
get accepted into Juilliard. I didn't get accepted, right there?
Excuse me? You know you don't take no for an answer,
And what did they know? Yeah, like I think, like
you know, even a lot of thing that's what happens
a lot of times, is like like um, tomorrow I'm
going into mentor two of the contestants for market Idol.
And I waited ten hours in New Jersey with my
mom in line audition and I didn't know because I

(08:16):
was like, you know, like sixteen or whatever, and I
was I was like singing constantly, like thinking, that's how
you keep your voice formed up. I didn't know anything,
and by the time went to go audition, I had
like no voice. I was kept on singing for ten hours.
You can't sing for ten hours straight. You should put
something around your throat, like yeah, because I was like
singing the whole thing over and over again. When I sang,

(08:38):
I like cracked and I was there like next, what
song did you mercy um um uh by Duffy? Yeah yeah,
I said, oh wow, what a great story though, and
be able to like I saw when I saw when
I when I when I did the Ryan Um with
Ryan and Kelly Rippa the show, I got mad because

(09:00):
he was there and so was Randy at the same
because Kelly was out, it was Randy and Ryan. And
then when it went to break commercial break, I was like,
you guys didn't let me in here that on air?
Oh my god, did you make it too get I
didn't even get past the producers, like I was waiting
in the cold whatever, blah blah blah. I went there

(09:21):
staying in front of them, and they were like next cares.
I mean, like whatever. But now it's like, yeah, things happened,
and it was a great stories and you're like the
perfect morning to yeah for you, and and and you
got some pretty big shows coming up in South America,
Katy Perry. That's gonna I'm nervous because like I'm nervous
about well because usually like you start out and you're

(09:42):
not like the direct support, like you know, like you're
usually like the first and the second person above you,
and then there's main act. So this time on the
direct support, so it's like a longer set and like
you have to really pump up the crowd and like
everybody usually shows up. So I want to do a
good job and you're gonna be great. Yeah, and I'd
like not curse. I'm a little bit Brooklyn girl. I'm like,

(10:02):
you know, like come to accent um. It comes out
when I get mad. And and also I've worked for
I don't know. I actually did a lot of storytelling
when I was a little like a storytelling contest. I
don't know. This is like a weird thing. So like
I used to do storytelling contests and it just like
lost my accent. But when I get mad, I started,
like it comes out. It's coming out. You know what?
Almost called you right now? Let that? That's fine, say

(10:25):
it right, it's fine. But yeah, if you say let that,
don't mind it. I love it. But if you're like Bliza, no, no, no,
she's I don't like Bla sounds so well. The I
Heart Radio Music Awards are coming up. Your dog Bear
Rexa is up for cuts musicians. I'm not even a
nominating talking that's kind of gigs, that's kind of cool.

(10:46):
We're all big dog lovers. That my dog. I was
always bring her, but I left her today. I don't
know why. I think she's like just yeah, what kind
of dog is bear? She's a rescue so I think
I don't know what she is. I think she's like
Yorkie poo something else. I don't know, like she has
three or four things in her, but like she's really
cute and she actually, um, you know, the votes came

(11:08):
in and like the last three nominees are not her
it's Miley's pig, Dmi's dog. I forgot her name, and
then Taylor's cat or something wanted just to be nominated. Yeah,
we're you know, we're still very thankful for all Bear
Bear has because your dog have your own Instagram account? Twitter,

(11:29):
I didn't go. I G. It was a lot of work. Yeah,
why you have to do? I G. That's what's all
about Twitter? But Twitter, that's not even updated. Haven't I've been,
so you know it's crazy. Bear's almost at a hundred k. Really,
yea Julio had who you had a pretty good amount
of Julio the middle name R now Julio Lopez Juez

(11:59):
Chavin Spanish listen, I was in Mexico for two weeks
with Bruno Mars and you really yeah? I opened for him. Yeah,
just recently. And uh, I was in Mexico and I
learned how to speak like some Spanish. Would you learn?
Would you learn um um um um u kidom omelet

(12:26):
con tobios, sabios epimientos, cappuccino with some onions and a cappuccino. Nice?
You you have no aca when you speak, so you
speak for seven year. I don't know if you miss it,

(12:46):
but I'm pretty sure Mario would just ask you if
you would do a collaboration with him in Spanish. I mean,
I think that's appropriate. So I could write it and
then you could. I actually met last night. I met
the lady who wrote what was her name? I forgot
her name, Erica Ander Ender? Erica Anderson? Is that where
that I'm talking to my manager Erica Ender and he
and she wrote, yeah, it's not hot. She was there

(13:10):
last night and she like this like this like curly hair,
lescious hair. And she's like, I'm so proud that you
did this because Austin, like, you know, it's like women
always want to you know, we need to come together.
And she's like, I want to do this in Latin America.
I'm like, girl, I'm down, let's do it. Yeah. I
was trying to do her accent. I couldn't because I
got yelled at doing accents because it's not a nice thing.
But my dad has once. I make fun of my
dad all the time, so I forget that, Like it's

(13:32):
okay with my dad, but not other people people. My
dad is so funny. He's like, how's your dad sound? Um,
He'll be talking to somebody and like he speaks like
fine English, but like he'll be like, oh me too,
like we go, come on, we go, I pay for you,
let's go, let's go. I'm like that's how he talks,
like literally like got the immigrant. So I get it.
I get it. Um, I want to put you on

(13:52):
the spot. Quick questions, quick answers. Okay, current song obsession? Um,
uh Psycho post loan, last show you binge watched? Uh Scandal?
I love Carrie Washington? Oh my gosh, are you caught
up on that show? What do you mean caught up? Like?
Are you current on the show? Just like, honestly, I

(14:13):
just went to the last season. I'm just watching that.
I count a binge, I think. But okay, all right, nickname,
growing up baby stuck with me for real? Whoa was it? Okay? Okay,
go to karaoke song at last? Biota James. I'm not
saying it right now. Oh man, all right, Mario, Mario,

(14:38):
you can actually probably sing it well after a couple
of really frazier prove me wrong. You put me on
the spot. On the spot. I was gonna after a
couple of cock like you just do you do cocktails?
Just trade the lesson times. Yeah, you do a little sequila.
I know you can tell by your body. You do
tequila with little lime and sparkling water. The water just

(15:05):
come in here every day like a straight to the
vein kind of guy. He's got that's no, that's I
can tell by your body, that's your vibe. Are either
going to do the shot? You the shot with a
little bit you're not doing any I'll do it. I'll
do it. No, I don't like to make sure. I
just go straight. You want the sugar, I see, no,
just because I really just want to get every quicker.
But we'll go with that air. Yeah, I think there

(15:29):
was a compliment in there. The compliment is you look good,
you're taking care of your bank. What I'm saying, you're
I'm blushing over here. Thank you? Okay, where were we?
Biggest pet peeve um? When people do things with their
like with their mouths and stuff like that, like in
my ear, I can't stand that. Don't do that like noises,

(15:50):
like like just weird stuff like when they suck up
like something in their teeth after they ate, like space.
I can't do. You got a boyfriend, um, you got
you got a stable right now? Not gonna Staples, No, no, no, no,
I mean yeah, honestly, this this is what I feel
right now, right now. My career is so important to me,

(16:11):
and I think that I'm here for a reason and
I want to really make some incredible music and to me,
at this very moment in time, I feel so good
in my skin and that I haven't felt that way
in a long time. So I feel like I feel strong,
and I feel like I like I've heard about women
like you know, my mom would always tell me like, oh,
when I hit thirty something or thirty er, I feel

(16:31):
you start feeling good in your skin. And I'm twenty
eight now and I'm like, I feel so good about myself.
So I don't want a man right now, like if
it happens that, I'm down for it, Like, you know,
do I have guys that talk to me, that are
running after me and from oh I'm sure life, Yes,
but ain't nobody got time for that right now? Nobody

(16:52):
got time for that right now? We are all the girls,
you know whatever. I don't feel like I'm like every
man coming from me because I don't like, let's me.
I don't think enough girls taking the time just kind
of you know, focus on themselves and yes, guys always
be there. But you know what, like you, she's so
messed upish and I shouldn't say that because it's us.

(17:12):
She's like listen, She's like, yeah, like you need to
relax about the whole boyfriend thing. Like it's like it's
like if I threw you outside right now in a
hot dress with blah blah blah, you'd have ten thousand
guys coming for you, like they're all gonna want you.
So it's like just relax. But it was really actually
more like r rated. But I'm not gonna do Okay.
I like Mom though, I like Mom, Okay, celebrity crush,

(17:36):
growing up um Orlando Bloom okay? From like the Lord
of the Rings or what are the Pirates of the Caribbean? No?
From it was the l Fears, Yes, the one with
the with the Titans, the Titans three, the Trojans, the Trojans,

(17:58):
Wait and Blue. We're just gonna go with the last question.
Who plays you in the bb REXA story? I don't
know where there yet, To be honest with you, but
I don't know. Awfully, you know, it's such a cool
answer right there. Well, I'm an even bigger fan. Now

(18:21):
you're welcome, come by any time. Congratulating roll through roll
through pretty much. Ye will adjust accordingly if we know
you're stopping by. But again, congrats on everything and you
can follow her on Instagram at bb REXA thank you
for stopping mine. Can we take a big, real quick
of course, with little pet