Bebe Rexha Has Been 'Focusing on Myself' Post-Breakup as She Releases 'Cocky' New Song 'Chase It' (Exclusive)

The Grammy-nominated singer tells PEOPLE about entering her new dance era after splitting from ex-boyfriend Keyan Safyari

• Bebe Rexha's new single, "Chase It (Mmm Da Da Da)," and its music video are out now

• The singer-songwriter is preparing to release a project of dance music

• After splitting from ex-boyfriend Keyan Safyari last year, she's undergone "a lot of therapy" and worked to focus on "things that make me happy"
  

Bebe Rexha is feeling confident and ready to dance.

The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter released her new single "Chase It (Mmm Da Da Da)" on Friday, May 17, and the high-energy track marks the start of a fresh era in Rexha's life and career — less than a year after her last album, Bebe, came out.

"I went through a breakup and I think taking a break for me would've been too much," the 34-year-old musician, who split from ex-boyfriend Keyan Safyari last year, tells PEOPLE. "I just kind of threw myself into music because it's the only thing that really helps me."

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Inspired to immerse herself in dance music following the success of hits like 2023's "I'm Good (Blue)" with David Guetta, Rexha crafted the new club banger with cowriter Aluna and producer Chris Lake, whom she wanted to collaborate with after feeling "obsessed" with their song "Beggin'."

The lyrics of "Chase It" find her in a self-assured place where she's not looking for a man — but knows she could easily find one if she wanted.

"Everybody wants to be in love, but I haven't been chasing that. I'm kind of focusing on myself, and it's really freeing and fun. And it's kind of like, 'So if you want this, then come chase it because I'm not chasing it right now,'" she explains.

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"And then I say, 'Well, but I won't leave alone tonight,' and it's kind of cocky in a way," adds Rexha, "because I know you're going to end up coming to me at the club or wherever we are, and I won't go home alone tonight."

Last month, she delivered the song's live debut during her main stage performance at Coachella, which felt like the launch of a "new chapter" where she feels "confident" and "comfortable."

"I've gone through so much in the past X amount of years that people don't know about, and I feel like I finally have now come to peace with a lot of things. I finally feel excited and alive," says Rexha, who received ravenous praise from fans after the set. "It's so awesome seeing everybody so excited, but I'm like, 'You have no f---ing idea.' It's like, I'm so excited."

Around Coachella, the "One in a Million" performer began teasing "Chase It" with a clip on social media to positive reception — before quickly learning its sexy, assertive nature would inspire listeners to make some spicy content online using the track.

"I've been seeing a lot of workout videos," begins Rexha, who's been boxing to the song herself. "I saw one vagina, like, straight-up... I don't know how it's on Instagram. A lot of male packages, but in pants. A lot of tits. I don't know what, but it's bringing the freak [out in people]."

"Chase It" acts as the lead single from her upcoming dance project, which she's still putting the finishing touches on. The new era arrives at an especially grounded time for Rexha, whose undergone "a lot of therapy" and focused on her physical wellbeing as she's worked to recover from the breakup.

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"I've been working out a lot and trying to do things that are better for me, things that make me happy," says the star, who explored choreography in the "Chase It" music video, working with Ruby Pappan (Karol G, Jennifer Lopez) to curate a dance routine that felt "authentic" to her. "You feel so much sexier and better when clothes fit better, and you just feel happier."

Having scored several EDM hits throughout her career, dance music is in Rexha's blood. Growing up, her uncle would DJ at their family's house in Staten Island, playing freestyle music like Debbie Deb's "When I Hear Music" — which has influenced the "techno, house [and] U.K. garage" sounds of her new material.

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"The [project's] through line so far is me taking everybody on this journey of what has inspired me through the past, what I listened to growing up and what I'm loving now," says Rexha, teasing "in your face and unapologetic" upcoming tracks like "I'm the Drama," which she previewed at Coachella.

"But then there are also a lot of songs that are dance, but really beautiful lyrically and say some really honest things," she adds. "There's a lot of sexy songs — don't get me wrong — and a lot of c---y songs, but then there are also songs that talk about breakup and real things."

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