Reneé Rapp, the multifaceted singer-songwriter and actor, is back with a vengeance. Her new album, Bite Me, set to drop on August 1st, promises to be a bold and unapologetic exploration of personal experiences. From surviving challenging situations to navigating the complexities of fame, Rapp’s signature dark humor and resilience shine through in her music. Fresh off starring in the blockbuster movie musical adaptation of Mean Girls, and wrapping up her role in HBO’s The Sex Lives of College Girls, the 25-year-old is ready to reclaim her narrative and step into her power.
Rapp’s journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. Coming off her debut album, the rising star experienced burnout, prompting her to prioritize self-care and reclaim control over her time. This new approach deeply influenced the making of Bite Me, allowing her to channel difficult experiences into empowering anthems. In this article, we delve into Rapp’s creative process, her relationship with girlfriend Towa Bird, and her reflections on navigating the public eye, based on a Rolling Stone interview.
Finding Space to Write and Record
Rapp reflects on the contrast between recording her debut album amidst the demanding schedule of Mean Girls and having more creative freedom with Bite Me. She emphasizes the importance of seeking her own approval and cultivating a supportive environment. “I started seeking my own approval, which was the biggest difference. And not only did I try to cultivate my own approval, but I was trying to cultivate my own environment,” she explains. This involved prioritizing time with friends and drawing inspiration from real-life experiences, resulting in a more authentic and relatable body of work.
The Importance of Irreverence and Dark Humor
The singer delves into the role of irreverence in her music, explaining that it’s a natural extension of her personality. Rapp aims to communicate with a sense of power, ensuring the ball remains in her court even when facing adversity. “I like to make sure that the ball will always be in my court, even if I got royally fucked over and terrorized by people I worked with,” she asserts. This dark-humored resilience allows her to transform painful experiences into empowering and relatable songs.
‘That’s So Funny’: Turning Pain into Mockery
Rapp shares the inspiration behind the song “That’s So Funny,” describing it as an emotional ballad with a mocking twist. Inspired by a situation that deeply hurt her, she wanted to express the diabolical nature of the experience while highlighting her own resilience. “I wanted it to reflect how deeply hurt I was by that situation,” she reveals. The song serves as a testament to her ability to walk away from painful situations while maintaining her composure.
Musical and Personal Influences
When asked about her influences, Rapp cites personalities like her father, whom she describes as hilarious and loving. Musically, she draws inspiration from Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill and Joan Jett’s powerhouse persona. Additionally, Rapp finds inspiration in strong and admired figures like Kate Moss, emphasizing the significance of attitude and personality in her creative process.
Collaborating with Towa Bird
Rapp discusses working with her girlfriend, singer-songwriter and guitarist Towa Bird, on the song “At Least I’m Hot.” She expresses her love for being around Bird, describing her as her best friend. Despite feeling intimidated by Bird’s talent, Rapp values their collaborative process. “I get scared working with her sometimes because she’s just really intimidating… When she came in to cut her part on ‘At Least I’m Hot,’ I felt so anxious because I don’t like asking people for anything,” she admits, highlighting their close bond.
Taking a Break and Reclaiming Control
Rapp reflects on her experience with burnout after releasing Snow Angel and the importance of taking a break. She emphasizes the challenge of stopping and the fear associated with it. “It was really scary. It takes a long time to figure out how to actually let yourself take a break,” she explains. Ultimately, prioritizing her personal life and defying external pressures were crucial steps in reclaiming control.
Defiance and Setting Boundaries
Rapp acknowledges that her defiance has garnered both love and respect. She believes it’s an innate trait, though she grapples with constant self-doubt. Despite projecting self-assurance, she experiences internal anxieties about her performance and worthiness. She highlights the importance of setting boundaries to protect her well-being and creative vision.
The Business Side of Pop Stardom
Rapp acknowledges the challenges of building a pop star career. While she enjoys performing, she discovers a greater passion for the album-making process. The artist also touches on the anxieties of public perception, trust issues, and the constant need for self-promotion. But she emphasizes that she runs big operations. Rapp said, “I always thought when I was younger that I’m such a performer. I do love to be out there, but I actually like the making of an album much more than I do the promotion and seeing it come to life.”
Misconceptions and Theories
She expresses shock at the degree to which people can misinterpret events and voice their opinions. While she was once driven to defend herself, she has since come to the conclusion that she is not obligated to reveal her whole life story to anybody. Rapp said, “I learned that people really get things wrong and are really loud about it. At first, I struggled with that because I would see so many things about my life and experiences online that were so untrue, and it made me so frustrated and so angry. I felt this deep need to defend myself, and then I started to realize that I actually don’t owe [anyone] my life story.”
Great Expectations for Bite Me
Rapp concludes by sharing her fears about releasing Bite Me. She expresses her love for the album and the hard work she invested in it. But she fears that her deep rooted feelings won’t be reciprocated. She said, “I love it so much. I worked so hard on it, and I had so much fun making it that I think the hard part is not shooting myself in the foot by getting really anxious about it.”
Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts
Reneé Rapp’s journey towards Bite Me has been one of self-discovery, resilience, and defiance. By prioritizing her well-being, setting boundaries, and embracing her authentic voice, she has created an album that promises to resonate with listeners on a profound level. From the importance of irreverence to the challenges of navigating fame, Rapp’s insights offer a glimpse into the life of a multifaceted artist who refuses to be defined by external expectations.
As she embarks on her arena tour and prepares for the release of Bite Me, it’s clear that Reneé Rapp is poised to continue making waves in the music industry. With her unwavering commitment to authenticity and her ability to transform personal struggles into universal anthems, she’s an artist to watch in the years to come.
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