We live in a time where representation in the creative industries has evolved, shifted perspectives and has given a lot of young people the confidence to embrace who they truly are. Music plays a crucial role in making us feel heard, seen and understood and we all have our favorite artists who just know how to capture us with their artistry and all they stand for. With that being said, the obsession with Reneé Rapp within especially the queer community does not come as a surprise.
Once you find out who she is, it’s easy to love her and there is proof in the pudding that the obsession with the 23-year-old rising pop queen is contagious. But it’s obviously not just her queerness that draws fans to her, it’s her insane vocal ability, her overall talent and most certainly her whole authentic personality. She has no filter and has always been her funny and very unserious self.
What the general public might not know is the fact that Reneé got her start on Broadway and her upbringing truly does scream THEATER KID. She is such a breath of fresh air and exactly what pop music needs right now. But even though she may sometimes appear as the most bold and confident human being, she’s a softy on the inside, with a lot of insecurities and fears just like the rest of us. Nevertheless, she doesn’t let that come in the way of achieving her goals and has always spoken up, about what matters most to her. If you know her, you also know that she’s very sarcastic and unhinged, but transparent and real at the same time.
So what drives someone like Reneé Rapp and gives her the confidence to succeed? According to her, it’s the power of delusion. Even if she has her doubts about something, and doesn’t quite know how, why or when it’s all gonna happen, she will keep doing her best, inevitably. Pretty bold right? I mean, it’s definitely working and we can all learn a lot from that mindset of hers. When you believe you can do something, reach the seemingly impossible, make your biggest dreams come true AND you keep working hard to get there, you WILL get there.
Besides being the radiant, resilient and well-spoken young woman she is – who has surely taken the industry by snow storm – Reneé writes lyrics like no other. Five tracks into her first EP Everything To Everyone and her fans were sold and just knew they would support her forever. A song like Don’t Tell My Mom can break your heart completely and heal you at the same time. You can feel the raw emotions in the stories she tells, that can create a place of comfort and stability for anyone who needs it. Each song has a particular meaning and affects and heals where it needs to affect and heal.
Reneé has always been genuine with her work and always puts out what feels good to her, straightforward, and her fans reward her for it by streaming her music until it becomes the soundtrack to their life’s story. When you can feel your own feelings listening to certain songs, that’s when you start gravitating towards someone’s artistry. Not only is Reneé’s music relatable, but it is accompanied by her insanely beautiful voice. If you wanna hear her debut album – and more – live, go buy tickets to the Snow Angel Tour right now, or regret it later when it’s all sold out and over.
Reneé is one of those artists who has been true to herself since the beginning. Starting her career already being out and proud of herself is very brave and inspiring. Young queer people have found their hero who lights up their every day and makes them wanna live unapologetically. She has become a part of her fans’ lives and treats each one of them like she’s known them forever, even if they are just meeting for the first time.
And with Reneé, it’s always been a two-way street. Her fans show her love and she gives it back in the most intense (and crazy) way possible. That just shows what a sweetheart she is and the special connection she has built with her audience. Is she chaotic? Her fans say: 100%! But she’s the kind of chaos you need in your life. Those who have met her can confirm that her energy is very positive and you can’t help but be happy in her presence.
So if you are not aware of the Reneé Rapp revolution, now is the time to sign up. You don’t just get incredible music and insane vocals, pure and constant entertainment and a quite marvelous personality. You get a young and still very underrated woman who inspires you to go after your dreams, to be proudly delusional and determined to reach for the stars if that is what you’re aiming for. The choice is yours, but just know that you can do it!
ROARA Magazine 