Ahead of their upcoming album ‘The Great Impersonator’, Halsey has opened up about the credit they feel they deserve for their previous work, particularly the success of ‘If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power’. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone UK, the artist shared their frustration over being overlooked for their creative contributions over the years.
Halsey, who uses she/they pronouns, spoke candidly about the lack of recognition, saying, “I really hate when it happens and it’s a person who refuses to admit that you’re dope but then they’re stealing from you or they’re referencing you or they’re writing about you.” This, she explained, has fuelled a sense of frustration and drive.
Image Courtesy: People
The singer particularly addressed the misconception surrounding the success of ‘If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power’, a collaborative project with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails. Halsey expressed frustration at those who credit the band for the album’s impact, asking, “You think that two rock dads wrote my female rage album about the horrors of being pregnant and accepting suburbia?”
In a prior interview, Halsey revealed how she approached Nine Inch Nails with the offer to produce the album, emphasising the themes of pregnancy, gender identity, and body horror. She wanted the album to have a visceral edge to do justice to its message, ensuring it was raw and powerful.
The album, which navigates the themes of pregnancy and childbirth through a lens of “body horror”, was released shortly after Halsey gave birth to their son, Ender. It was widely praised for its bold and unflinching exploration of these experiences.
In an Instagram post, Halsey explained that the album artwork reflects the dichotomy between being a sexual being and a mother, demonstrating that both aspects can coexist powerfully.
-Sushmita Sarkar