Bebe Rexha is taking full creative control in her new era of music.
The Grammy‑nominated pop star, 36, released the high‑energy dance track “New Religion” on Friday, March 6 as the latest single from her upcoming visual album Dirty Blonde — her first project as an independent artist in partnership with EMPIRE Distribution.
“New Religion” features English dance group Faithless and not only samples their classic hit “Insomnia,” but includes elements of the original production with the blessing of members Rollo, Sister Bliss and Maxi Jazz — a process Rexha worked hard to secure. The single is the third release from Dirty Blonde, following “I Like You Better Than Me” and “Çike Çike.” She’s rolling out the album in a unique way: releasing each song individually and letting fans vote on the order.
Ahead of the release, Rexha spoke with PEOPLE about making “New Religion,” how fans directly influenced the track, and why she feels “unapologetically myself” in the Dirty Blonde era.
PEOPLE: How are you feeling in your new independent era?
BEBE REXHA: I feel amazing, honestly. I’m happy, finally. I see the light on the other side of the tunnel. It was getting a little scary there for a second. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. Just being surrounded by people who actually care about me — the energy is completely different.
PEOPLE: Your new single samples Faithless’ “Insomnia.” What’s your connection to the original?
REXHA: My uncle was trying to be a DJ when I was growing up in New York City — the word is trying. I remember him playing it for me for the first time. I’d hear it throughout my life without knowing who the artist was. As I got older, I realized how iconic it was. In Europe, it was massive — a total banger in the dance community.
I didn’t even think about remaking it. It just fell into our laps in the studio. We were writing around this concept with the phrase “new religion,” and it fit. We took the sample, worked around it, and had fun. Then I had to go through the whole process of getting the blessing from Sister Bliss, Rollo, and the Faithless camp.
PEOPLE: And you did.
REXHA: Yeah — not easy. It’s been about 30 years, and they’ve never properly allowed someone to sample it, let alone use the original sounds. I messaged them asking for the original drop, and they said, “That’s not going to be easy.” It was on tape. I was like, “It’s on f—ing tape?” The whole process… you can imagine.
But music on tape just sounds so f—ing good. I remember sitting at brunch in London with Sister Bliss as she explained how they made it back then. I’m from the digital era asking, “What effects did you use?” and she laughed — “That’s not how we did it.” It’s amazing to have a piece of the original record on mine. It only took three years — hence the gray hairs.
PEOPLE: How have fans reacted to the Dirty Blonde releases so far?
REXHA: They love it. They’re excited. I feel like I got bullied into putting “New Religion” out next. I love all the records — some I’m dying for people to hear, like “The Way I Want You.” But if they want “New Religion,” let them have it.
PEOPLE: Fans have been voting on release order. How has that been?
REXHA: I’ve been getting threats. They’ve been threatening me — but I love it… I don’t love it. Let me revert that before I get crazier threats.
PEOPLE: You take fan feedback seriously. Do you trust them?
REXHA: Here’s something I haven’t told anyone. On one of my last projects, I didn’t have bridges. Songs are shorter now, my ADHD kicks in, and I don’t want to sit through three minutes and 30 seconds. My fans were like, “We want bridges. Your most successful songs have bridges.”
I had already written “New Religion” with no bridge. I told the writers, “I’m going to go in and write a bridge.” They were shocked. But I did — and now the snippet going baby viral is the f—ing bridge. Guess the fans know something. They’re smart.
PEOPLE: You sing in Albanian on “Çike Çike.” What does that mean to you?
REXHA: It’s been really cool for me and my family. I haven’t fully processed it. In pop music, I always wanted to fit in and not show too much of who I was. Now this song will forever live in my discography and reflect how I grew up. I’m trying to be more authentically myself and not fit into a mold. I’m surprised I haven’t done it sooner.
PEOPLE: What inspired the album title Dirty Blonde?
REXHA: “Dirty blonde” sounds like hair color or something filthy — and it is a little filthy, but in a way that means being unapologetically yourself. I was signed to a major label, surrounded by people who made me feel stuck. I kept thinking something was wrong — my look, my music, everything.
When I went independent, my manager said, “We don’t care what anyone says. This is you being yourself. When do you feel best?” I said, “I f—ing love being a blonde.” That’s when I feel like me. So Dirty Blonde became my way of saying I’m unapologetically myself. I’m around people who believe in me and uplift me — finally, after the longest f—ing time.
