It wasnt easy: Rexhas been signed by a record label before only to be dropped.
And shes had to fight to get credit on songs she had a major hand in creating.
Rexha harbors no hard feelings, though.
Credit: RAMONA ROSALES for EW
I rolled up my sleeves and said, I want to make a mark on this world.
He was like, Youre the fixer.
Youre able to fix the songs, she recalls.
RAMONA ROSALES for EW
She didnt think it would go anywhere.
But after hearing someone mistake her vocals for Minajs, Rexha fought for the change.
I was so upset, she says.
Never let a good idea go to waste
Before it became a No.
Currently, shes repurposing a six-year-old song she wrote in her childhood bedroom for a rappers new album.
The songs seem to find their homes, Rexha says.
I just totally connected to [Iggys] personality and loved her whole vibe, Rexha says.
She was very similar to meshe doesnt beat around the bush.
If she likes it, shes like, I love it, oh my God!
If she doesnt like it, shell definitely tell you that.
When an artist knows what they want, it makes it a lot easier.
A mutual friend finally introduced the two, and within a week they hit the studio together.
Ive always gone with my gut feeling, Rexha says of picking her collaborators.
I wanted to be as good as them.
They just seemed so hard to attain, so beautiful, she says.
Now, shes quick to correct anyone who thinks she didnt work hard to get where she is.
Lets get one thing straight,she tweeted earlier this year.
Im not just a pop tart.
No one ever put me on.
I write every single song Im on.
Been hustling from day 1.
Let inspiration strike
Lately when Rexha writes a song, she freestyles over beats producers send her.
Shell cue up a track, record three takes, and then see if any of her ideas stick.
If it comes, then I know its special and I keep it, Rexha says.
If it doesnt, I dont even kill myself, I just let it be.
Instead, she found the words to the song as soon as she heard the instrumental.
I really just needed to write the song to feel better, Rexha says.
When I listen to No Broken Hearts, it makes me feel like everythings better.
Sometimes thats all we need.
If a three minute and 30 second song makes someone feel okay, thats more than enough.
