Bebe Rexha Reveals the Origin Story Behind Eminem & Rihanna’s “The Monster”

Bebe Rexha has spent years building a successful career as a singer, songwriter, and hitmaker, but one of her most important contributions to rap and hip hop happened long before many fans knew her name. During a recent conversation with DJ Whoo Kid, she reflected on the unlikely path that led to “The Monster” becoming one of the defining songs of the 2010s.

For many listeners, “The Monster” is remembered as the chart-topping collaboration between Eminem and Rihanna. The song became a massive commercial success, earned diamond certification, and remains one of the most recognizable records in modern rap and hip hop. What many people may not realize, however, is that the track began as a very different idea before finding its final form.

The story shared by Bebe Rexha offers a fascinating look into how songs evolve behind the scenes. It also serves as a reminder that some of the biggest moments in music history often start with uncertainty, rejected demos, and a creator who refuses to give up on a vision.

Bebe Rexha Knew the Potential of “The Monster” Early

Long before the song reached radio stations around the world, Bebe Rexha was developing it as part of her own creative work. At the time, she was shopping music to labels while working on material for an EP.

Speaking about that period, she explained:

“I was working on my EP and I had a song called ‘Monster Under My Bad’ and I was shopping it to labels but they didn’t get it. And also, the beat, when Eminem went it, a lot of people don’t know that he’s very hands-on with his production, the production we originally had was not where it needed to be. So I think a lot of labels heard the song but they didn’t hear what it could be. I had a lot of people passing that song. And it wasn’t until we sent it to Rigs Morales.”

Her comments highlight something common in rap and hip hop: sometimes industry executives hear what a song is, while artists hear what it can become. In this case, the gap between those two perspectives turned out to be enormous.

A Moment of Inspiration Connected the Song to Eminem

One of the most interesting parts of the story involves the moment when Bebe Rexha first imagined Eminem recording the track. According to her, the idea appeared naturally while she was still writing the song with her team.

She recalled:

“You know what’s crazy thing about The Monster? Me and my team were writing it for my EP and we had just put down the hook and we were in the room and as we were writing the song, I swear to god something came to me and I was like ‘This would be a perfect Eminem record,’”

Looking back, that instinct proved remarkably accurate. Eminem eventually recorded the song, Rihanna joined the project, and the result became one of the most successful rap and hip hop releases of the decade.

Stories like this show how creative intuition can sometimes play a bigger role than market research or industry strategy. A single thought during a writing session ultimately helped shape a global hit.

How “The Monster” Became a Rap and Hip Hop Classic

Success in rap and hip hop is rarely guaranteed, even when major artists are involved. Yet “The Monster” connected with audiences on a massive scale.

The combination of Eminem’s introspective verses and Rihanna’s powerful vocals created something that resonated far beyond traditional rap audiences. The song explored themes of fame, personal struggles, and self-reflection while still delivering a catchy and memorable hook.

Its success helped reinforce Eminem’s position as one of rap’s most influential artists while also adding another major achievement to Rihanna’s catalog. At the same time, the song quietly showcased the songwriting contribution that Bebe Rexha had brought to the project from the very beginning.

Years later, the record continues to receive streams, radio play, and recognition from fans who consider it one of the standout rap and hip hop collaborations of its era.

Bebe Rexha’s Experience Working Around Eminem

Years after helping create the song, Bebe Rexha had the opportunity to perform with Eminem at Coachella. While many artists might view that moment as a dream come true, she admitted there was also a sense of nervousness attached to it.

Reflecting on the experience, she said:

“When I performed with Eminem at Coachella, I was kind of nervous. I thought when I come out everybody’s gonna think I’m Rihanna. When I went to soundcheck, he was not what I expected. He was very quiet, composed, smart, very focused like he’s on the mission,”

Her observations offer a rare glimpse into Eminem away from the spotlight. While fans often see the larger-than-life performer on stage, Bebe Rexha described someone who approached his craft with discipline and intense focus.

That reputation has followed Eminem throughout his career. Many collaborators have spoken about his attention to detail, particularly when it comes to songwriting and production decisions.

Why This Story Still Matters Today

The journey behind “The Monster” is more than just an interesting piece of music trivia. It reflects the persistence required to succeed in rap and hip hop, especially behind the scenes.

Bebe Rexha believed in the song when others overlooked it. She trusted her instincts, continued pushing forward, and eventually saw that belief validated on one of the biggest stages possible. Her story is a reminder that great songs are not always immediately recognized for what they can become.

For aspiring writers, producers, and artists, there is an important lesson here. Sometimes the difference between a rejected demo and a diamond-certified hit is simply finding the right people who understand the vision.

Today, “The Monster” remains a landmark record in rap and hip hop history. And thanks to Bebe Rexha sharing its backstory, fans now have a deeper appreciation for the creative journey that helped turn an overlooked idea into a worldwide phenomenon.