Bonnie McKee, the GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter known for her chart-topping hits with Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and Kesha, appeared on the latest episode of “The Pop Report,” to discuss her new album “Hot City.”
The in-depth interview hosted by Zack Peter and Andy Lalwani covers a range of topics from McKee’s evolving music career to her thoughts on pop culture phenomena.
As discussed in the episode, McKee details her music career with high hopes and substantial industry acclaim. During a peak in her songwriting career, she crafted hits such as Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” Spears’ “Hold It Against Me,” and Kesha’s “C’Mon.” Her debut single, “American Girl,” was released in 2013, creating significant buzz and establishing a growing fanbase eager for more. However, despite this momentum, McKee’s full-length album Hot City was ultimately shelved.
McKee’s musical journey began in her youth in Seattle, where she recorded demos and sought advice from a family friend in the music industry. As a teenager, she sent an original song to a contact, leading to her first label deal with Reprise Records. In 2004, she released her debut album, Trouble. Despite its efforts, the album did not connect with audiences, and McKee felt sidelined by the label.
Struggling to make ends meet, McKee transitioned to writing songs and recording demos for other artists. A chance encounter with Katy Perry while McKee was selling clothes at a Los Angeles thrift store led to a pivotal collaboration. Perry, a fan of McKee’s first album, invited her to co-write for Perry’s second album, Teenage Dream. Their work, including hits like “California Gurls” and “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.),” earned multiple No. 1 spots on the Billboard Hot 100.
McKee’s songwriting success continued with chart-toppers for artists like Spears and Taio Cruz. After securing a deal with Epic Records, she began work on “Hot City,” but disagreements with the label led her to leave the company.
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On the podcast, McKee discusses the journey of her album “Hot City”. Originally planned for release in 2013, the album was shelved due to her departure from the record label. “I had made this whole album, which is now “Hot City,” while I was signed to that record deal. ‘American Girl’ is technically the first single from the “Hot City” album. After touring those songs, I wasn’t able to release them. When I left the label, I had to grieve those songs. I just started from scratch with the Bombastic EP, which was my first independent release,” McKee recounts.
The star also went on to reveal how Taylor Swift’s strategy to re-record her old hits influenced her own decision to revisit the “Hot City” album.
She stated, “Most label deals now include clauses preventing re-recording of songs for a set period. Luckily, I was able to re-record because there was no re-record clause in my contract. When Taylor Swift did it, I thought, ‘I wonder if I can do that?’ I checked my contract and realized I could re-record those songs, so I did,” McKee explains.
McKee also went on to note on her experience writing for Cher.
“I’m so fortunate to have worked with many icons. Although I didn’t meet Cher in person, writing for her was epic. It wasn’t a single, but it was really fun. If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be Cher. I admire her as an icon and a blueprint for maintaining fame gracefully.”
Regarding her current relationship with Katy Perry, McKee notes, “I haven’t talked to Katy Perry in a long time. I think she texted me on my birthday in 2020.” She also comments on Perry’s recent single, “Woman’s World,” stating at 30:08, “The melody is fantastic, and she looks great. I didn’t write or direct the video, so would I have done something differently? Probably. But I’m happy to see her doing her thing.”
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As the trend of “Brat Summer” has been on the rise, the singer also went on to praise many girls thriving in the music scene this year.
McKee discusses the summer pop music explosion and the rise of artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Charli XCX saying, “It’s so exciting! This summer has been great for pop music. I was worried I was getting old because I didn’t understand what was on the radio, but now that pop is back, I’m thrilled. I love seeing these artists support each other and the content they’re creating. It’s a really exciting time in pop music.”
She also went on to add, “The Kamala Harris situation and the Brat Summer trend have given me hope for democracy. It’s exciting to see Gen Z involved and making a cultural impact. It shows we have a chance and that people are motivated to support meaningful change. I’m excited about having a female in the White House and seeing where it goes, McKee stated.”
Kesha’s new single, “JOYRIDE,” was also a topic of discussion. “I really love the new Kesha song. ‘JOYRIDE’ is fantastic—so unique and left-field, and it’s such an earworm. Kesha is a great lyricist and performer. I’m a fan.”
About The Pop Report
“The Pop Report” offers a fresh perspective on pop culture and entertainment news. With weekly guest interviews and coverage of major headlines, the podcast provides listeners with insights into reality TV, film, and media.
