Bibi Bourelly: The Raw Voice of Alternative R&B

Bibi Bourelly is a German-American singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for her gritty, genre-blending sound. Hailing from Berlin, she first gained major industry attention as the co-writer of Rihanna's 2015 platinum hit "Bitch Better Have My Money".

Early career

Born in 1994 in Berlin to a German mother and a Moroccan-American musician father, Bibi Bourelly was immersed in music from childhood. She began writing songs as a teenager and moved to Los Angeles at 18, where her raw demo tapes quickly garnered interest from major labels and established songwriters.

Breakthrough

Bourelly's breakthrough arrived in 2015 through her songwriting prowess. Her work on Rihanna's ANTI album, notably the confrontational anthem "Bitch Better Have My Money", established her as a formidable new voice in pop and R&B. This led to a record deal with Def Jam Recordings and the release of her debut EP Free the Real (Pt. 1) in 2016.

Key tracks

Bitch Better Have My Money — Co-written by Bourelly for Rihanna, this platinum-certified single launched her songwriting career globally.

Ego — Her 2016 debut solo single showcased her distinctive, raspy vocal style and blues-inflected guitar playing.

Riot — This powerful track from her 2018 EP Bibi Bourelly exemplifies her rock-influenced approach to soul music.

What If — A later release highlighting her evolving sound, blending introspective lyrics with a minimalist, atmospheric production.

Following her initial EP, Bourelly has focused on independent releases, cultivating a dedicated fanbase drawn to her unfiltered lyrical honesty. She has collaborated with artists like Lil Wayne, King Los, and DJDS, further exploring the edges of alternative R&B and rock. Her music often features live instrumentation, centered on her dynamic guitar work, setting her apart in the modern pop landscape.

Fans of Bibi Bourelly's authentic, guitar-driven alternative R&B might also enjoy the work of Jorja Smith for her soulful UK vocal style and narrative depth. SAINt JHN shares a similar talent for blending gritty, raw lyricism with genre-defying production. The experimental R&B of Steve Lacy mirrors Bourelly's DIY ethos and guitar-centric sound. Kiana Ledé also explores the fusion of R&B with rock and alternative influences, creating a comparable musical tension.

Bibi Bourelly's distinctive sound earns regular rotation on our network's alternative R&B and modern soul radio stations. Her tracks are featured on online radio streams dedicated to emerging songwriters and independent music radio stations that champion raw, artistic expression.

Listeners can discover the powerful music of Bibi Bourelly on the curated alternative R&B and singer-songwriter stations available on onairium.com, where her genre-defying work continues to resonate with a global audience.