After making a name for herself as a hit songwriter and crafting chart-topping hits for renowned artists like Katy Perry and Britney Spears, Bonnie McKee found herself at a crossroads in her own music career. Despite her immense talent and success in penning No. 1 smashes, her record label at the time didn’t fully grasp her artistic vision.
For years, McKee’s dedicated fanbase eagerly awaited the release of the material she had created, yearning to hear the songs she would have put out into the world. Fueled by this demand and her unwavering belief in the timeless quality of her music, McKee took matters into her own hands. She made the bold decision to re-record and release her album, ‘Hot City’, a project that had been in the making for a decade.
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In an exclusive interview, the musician expressed her perspective on this long-awaited release. “I think a lot of people in the industry — not the fans — think I’m nuts for putting something out that’s so old”, McKee shared. “But I’ve always said a good song is a good song, and these songs always spoke to me.”
McKee’s journey in the music industry began during her teenage years when she secured a major record deal and released her debut album, ‘Trouble’. Despite her initial efforts, the project faced commercial challenges, leading to her departure from the label.
However, McKee’s story took a new turn when she secured a publishing deal and transitioned into a highly successful career as a songwriter for other artists. Her songwriting prowess brought forth an array of radio hits, including Perry’s ‘California Gurls’, ‘Teenage Dream’, ‘Part of Me’, and ‘Roar’, along with Spears’ ‘Hold It Against Me’.
‘Hot City’ is set to feature beloved fan-favourite tracks like ‘SLAY’, ‘Forever 21’, and ‘I Wanna Call You’, along with a brand-new collaboration titled ‘Snatched’ featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Priyanka. The album also includes previously released gems such as ‘American Girl’, ‘Sleepwalker’, and ‘Stars in Your Heart’, promising a nostalgic yet fresh musical experience for fans old and new alike.
-Sushmita Sarkar