Beka Barz Reveals the Story Behind "Wannabe" in a Candid Interview and Explosive New Release
- STAFF
- Sep 5
- 13 min read
Updated: Sep 6
By: Staff
“Wannabe” is a breathtaking anthem of resilience, blending fierce energy with unmatched authenticity.
Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions with the release of "Wannabe" from the unstoppable Beka Barz. A song born from personal heartache, it’s not just a track, it’s an anthem. Infused with bold energy and a playful twist on a familiar classic, "Wannabe" takes you on a journey from pain to empowerment, with lyrics that punch hard and an unforgettable delivery. But there’s so much more beneath the surface.
We spoke with Beka Barz about the creative process behind this track, diving deep into what fuels her distinctive sound and fearless storytelling. From breaking down how the song was crafted in her home studio to the unique collaboration with Zimbabwe’s EliQr64, Beka reveals a side of her artistry that’s both raw and inspiring.
In this candid interview, we explore the music video’s quirky humor, the power of transformation through performance, and what happens when your most vulnerable moments become the foundation of your biggest hits. Beka also opens up about balancing independence with collaboration and how a playful car scene might just capture the essence of her artistic spirit.
Curious yet? Keep reading to uncover how Beka Barz channels real-life drama into an electrifying new sound and what’s next for this bold, multifaceted artist.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello BEKA BARZ, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. We loved your creation of “Wannabe”. Your powerful opening lyrics were so commanding. You are excellent at captivating audiences with your incredible delivery. When did you first discover your voice, and what moment in your life shifted it from being something personal and intimate to recording with the intention of sharing it with a worldwide audience, setting the stage for the powerful and viable career we’re experiencing now?
A. Thanks so much, I’m really happy you’re enjoying the new record! Honestly, I can’t say there was one exact moment where I discovered my voice—it feels like music has always been a part of me. I grew up in the Seventh Day Adventist church, with my dad being a preacher, so music was just everywhere. I was always surrounded by it, and from an early age I was expected to sing or play in church. So it wasn’t really about finding my voice, it was more about developing it.
My first performance was when I was about four years old. I sang a hymn while playing the keyboard, and my parents still love to remind me about it. They said all they could see were my little legs dangling under the keyboard and my big hair sticking out on top, with this tiny but confident voice coming from behind it. That memory always makes me smile.
I think I wrote my first song around eight, and that’s also when I started experimenting with producing—just playing around with the multi-track record function on my keyboard. Growing up in church, I was always taught that your gifts are meant to be shared, that you’re blessed so you can bless others. So for me, music was never something I kept to myself—it’s always been a way to express what I’m going through while hopefully giving something back.
Sometimes that’s helping someone through a tough time, sometimes it’s about inspiring confidence, or just passing on the lessons I’ve learned. That’s really what’s kept me going all these years—the knowledge that my music serves a purpose and genuinely touches people’s lives.
Q. You’ve mentioned how "Wannabe" was a blessing in disguise. Do you think that there’s a greater creative potential that emerges from painful or challenging moments?
A. Absolutely! I actually joke with my wife sometimes that life’s going so well right now, it’s almost blocking my creative process. Most of my songs have come out of painful or difficult experiences I’ve been through. For me—and I think for a lot of artists—music is really a form of therapy. Whenever I’m facing challenges, I turn to music as a way to process what I’m feeling. It helps me get those emotions out instead of keeping them bottled up.
I’ve always believed that when songs come from real-life experiences, they carry more weight and connect with people on a deeper, soul level. Interestingly, when things in my life are going smoothly, I don’t feel the same urgency to write. Maybe there’s something profound in that in itself.
Q. What was it about the Spice Girls' "Wannabe" that inspired you to take a playful spin on the lyrics? Was it about reclaiming power, enjoying a fun twist on a classic, or something else?
A. Honestly, I’ve always loved doing things a little differently—people call me a bit of a maverick, and they’re not wrong. Growing up in the church, I missed out on the whole Spice Girls craze, but I later discovered “Wannabe” and the impact it had.
I was thinking about my first relationship and how it ended—back then it felt like the end of the world, but now I just laugh at myself for being so dramatic. And right at that moment, “Wannabe” came on the radio. I’m a big lyrics person so I was really tuned in, and suddenly I thought, wait a second… how fun would it be to flip this?
See, “get with my friends” originally meant one thing, but in today’s world, “get with” has a very different meaning. Since my first boyfriend had cheated on me with one of my friends, the play on words was just too perfect to ignore.
As soon as I connected the dots, I knew it was the hook I needed! And let’s be real—as a rapper, taking on a Spice Girls classic is a bold move, maybe even a little audacious. But for me, that was exactly the point.
Q. You’ve worn so many hats in the creation of “Wannabe” as a co-producer, engineer, director, and editor. What is the most rewarding part of being able to have complete creative control over a project?
A. For me, the best part is seeing the final product come to life exactly how I envisioned it. It’s not easy handling every aspect yourself, but it’s so worth it when you can look back and say, “I did that.” Having full creative control pushes me to put in more time, effort, and attention to detail, and I think that really shows in the music.
I made a point of expanding my knowledge and upgrading my equipment so I could mix and master the track the way I wanted it to sound. I did try working with other engineers at one point, but I found they weren’t as invested in getting it just right. That’s when I realised I needed to take control of the project myself—and I’m glad I did, because I love how the song turned out.
From a business standpoint, it also makes sense. By managing my own projects, I save money in the long run, I own my masters and publishing, and if a song does well, the benefits come directly back to me. More importantly, I have such a strong vision for my work that I’ve found it can sometimes get watered down if I bring in people who aren’t aligned with me creatively.
At the end of the day, when I have a vision, I either want to do everything myself or oversee it closely. I’m really fortunate to be in a position where no one is telling me what I can or can’t create. That’s something I’ve worked very hard to protect over the years, because it allows my music to remain 100% authentic to who I am.
Q. Working with EliQr64 remotely must’ve been a unique experience. Can you elaborate more on how you both communicated and maintained creative synergy despite the language barrier?
A. I actually first connected with EliQ through Instagram. He’d been supporting my music for a while, and I noticed he was also posting Drill beats on his profile that, to me, had a lot of potential. He’d even offered to make beats for me and asked if I could support his journey as a producer financially. At the time, I wasn’t in a position to help.
Fast forward to last year—I received a grant from BBC Introducing and PRS Foundation, and I used that funding to bring EliQ on board as a co-producer. One of the tracks we worked on together was “Wannabe.”
Since he’s based in Zimbabwe, all of our communication was over WhatsApp. He doesn’t speak English but can read it, so I had to be very clear and simple in explaining the direction I wanted the music to go. On top of that, we dealt with challenges like power cuts, which would sometimes leave him without electricity to work. But honestly, I loved the process—it really felt like we were building something from the ground up.
We both learned so much from working together, and I think it’s really important that EliQ gets his flowers too, because he did an incredible job bringing the music to life. I even asked him if he wanted to share his perspective on the experience, and he said: “Working with Beka on ‘Wannabe’ was an absolute pleasure. The energy and vision were infectious, and I’m thrilled with how the track turned out.”
I’m a big believer in supporting talent, so if anyone’s interested in working with him, his Instagram handle is @eliqr64_beats.
Q. The humor in the “Wannabe” music video, especially the unexpected car scene, adds a personal touch. Do you often incorporate humor into your work, and what role do you think humor plays in storytelling through music?
A. I’ve never been someone who takes myself too seriously. I take my craft seriously, of course, but as a person I’m quite lighthearted. I think it’s important not to be too uptight—just give your all and have fun with it.
The car scene is a perfect example. It ended up being a bit unhinged and funny, completely by accident, because it caught everyone on set off guard. But really, I was just reacting how I naturally would if I caught my partner sending flirty messages to my friend.
For me, that’s what art is about—being yourself and letting that authenticity shine through.
Q. Being an independent artist comes with a lot of creative freedom. Do you ever consider, or have you ever worked with a team, or do you prefer handling all aspects of your projects on your own?
A. I’ve worked with various teams in the past, and it’s definitely a different process than working solo. Collaborating can be fun, but it can also be more stressful because you’re managing people and all the dynamics that come with that.
My approach is that I’d rather handle all aspects of a project myself if I can’t find the right team. There’s a saying, “Teamwork makes the dream work,” but I’d add: “You need the right team first.” Sometimes bringing more people into a project can actually take away from it rather than add to it. Another saying I like is, “Too many cooks spoil the broth.”
I’m always open to collaborating, but I need to know that my vision won’t be diluted. I’m fully capable of realising my creative ideas on my own, and I’m not afraid to put in the time and effort to make that vision a reality.
Q. You’ve mentioned feeling empowered by the experience of betrayal. What about performing the song? Since it comes from such a real, personal experience, does performing it help you heal from those feelings, or does it bring them back to the surface each time?
A. Absolutely! The song is written in such an empowering way that performing it really makes me feel empowered. For me, it’s less about revisiting the hurt and more about saying all the things I didn’t get to say at the time—and walking away with my head held high. I let go of that experience a long time ago, so performing or hearing the song isn’t painful at all.
My hope is that anyone who’s been through, or is going through, something similar feels that same sense of empowerment when they listen to it.
Q. Having received airplay on BBC Radio, do you feel that radio exposure helps further validate your independent approach to music, or is it also possibly a stepping stone to larger goals you’ve set for your career?
A. Honestly, this is something I go back and forth on a lot because it does both for me. On one hand, it’s incredibly satisfying to know I can share my music with people, regardless of any heightened level of fame. On the other hand, it makes me ambitious—I want to use that airplay to reach even larger audiences so more people can experience my music.
I’m not sure I’ll ever fully settle on one perspective, but right now, it definitely validates my independent approach to music. I’m grateful for every play I get and never take it for granted—after all, people don’t have to support my music, and the fact that they do is meaningful.
Q. With your home studio as your workspace, how do you create an environment that fuels creativity? Do you have any rituals or setups that help you tap into the best version of your artistic self?
A. I like to keep my environment calm, clean, and centred—it really helps me get into a creative headspace. I use mood lighting in the studio to make it feel relaxing, but it also needs to feel like a space where work happens. I keep mementos, like photos and awards, on display, which helps me stay inspired and motivated. Looking back on my journey and achievements over the years reminds me of how far I’ve come and keeps me focused on what I want to create next.
Having a home studio makes a huge difference for me. I can work in a relaxed, pressure-free environment—literally in my pyjamas if I want—without worrying about judgement. I’ve worked in professional studios before, but those spaces can feel more pressured and less conducive to creativity. At home, I can fire up the studio whenever inspiration strikes, without being limited by budget or availability, which really helps keep the creativity flowing. I prefer to record alone in the studio. I find I deliver my best work when I’m by myself because it allows me to feel free, comfortable, and open to experimenting with new ideas.
Q. Can you tell us more about the role of storytelling in your music and videos? How do you decide what parts of your personal experiences to share with the world versus keeping things private?
A. I’m pretty open—I share almost everything, even if my family sometimes disapproves. I’m an open book; what you see is what you get. For me, my music is a reflection of who I am, which means it’s an expression of my life—the good, the bad, and the ugly. I don’t feel the need to hide anything because often the things people keep hidden are exactly what others need to see or hear to know they’re not alone.
That said, I think that would change if I had a child. My child would deserve their privacy, and it would be their story to share when they’re older. Similarly, the intimate details of my marriage are off-limits out of respect for my wife. Beyond that, though, everything else in my life is fair game—I don’t hold back.
Q. The way you took a personal heartbreak and turned it into a playful song is a unique twist. Do you find humor or lightheartedness to be your go-to method for coping with difficult emotions, or does your creative approach vary?
A. My creative approach definitely varies. Some days I might react to something in a lighthearted way, and other days I could respond to the exact same situation in a completely different way. My wife often jokes that I have multiple personalities because you never quite know which one you’ll get. I just see it as being a multi-faceted human being, and I think that variety shows up in my creativity as well.
Q. How did collaborating with EliQr64 push your creative boundaries or change the way you approach production? Was there a specific moment where you felt the collaboration clicked?
A. Working with EliQ taught me a lot about music production. I’ve always been strong when it comes to composing melodies, but I’ve struggled with rhythm sections. EliQ is the opposite—his drums and bass are usually very strong, but melodies don’t always come naturally to him. Collaborating allowed us to learn from each other, playing to our strengths while improving our weaknesses.
The collaboration really clicked when I sent back my second set of notes. I can always tell if a producer is fully invested by how they respond to feedback, and his reaction showed me that we were both committed to bringing out the best in the music. Making the necessary adjustments didn’t feel like extra work for him, which made the process feel seamless and productive.
Q. Considering how deeply personal “Wannabe” is to you, do you think you’ll continue to write music from this very intimate perspective, or do you see your sound evolving into different themes as you grow as an artist?
A. I’ve always written music based on my own life and experiences. In the future, I’d like to explore songwriting for other artists, focusing on their stories rather than my own. But when it comes to my own music, it will always reflect my thoughts, feelings, and experiences—because that’s who I am as an artist. Music is a part of me, and trying to be more general would take away from the personal connection that makes it resonate with people.
Q. We’d love to dive deeper into the story behind your artist name, BEKA BARZ. Now that we’ve had a chance to experience your music, it’s clear that your fans will be equally curious about the meaning behind the name that accompanies your sound. How does BEKA BARZ connect to the music you create, what significance does it hold for you personally, and what is the origin or backstory behind the name?
A. Over the 16 years I’ve been an artist, I’ve gone through a number of name changes, but I finally settled on BEKA BARZ last year. The “Beka” part is straightforward—my birth name is Rebekah—but “Barz” reflects my love of words. I’ve always been drawn to language; I even fast-tracked my GCSE English Language exams and got an A at just 14, which shows how deep that passion runs. I’m the kind of person who will listen to a song and dissect the lyrics because I want to understand exactly what the artist is trying to say.
I felt that BEKA BARZ had a nice ring to it because of the alliteration, and from a branding perspective, it immediately signals rap. At the same time, I work across multiple genres, so the name also represents that no matter the style, I’m always bringing the “barz,” because the barz are me.
Q. And finally, we can’t thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! So, what’s next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We'd love to be the first to share the news!
A. Of course! I briefly mentioned earlier that I received a grant to support my music. ‘Wannabe’ was one of 24 new songs I created with that funding. Right now, I’m in the process of mixing and mastering all of them for a 20-track rap mixtape that explores a variety of genres. The mixtape is called Autonomy, because that word really captures who I am and what I stand for as an artist.
As an independent, self-funded artist, I’m managing everything on my own. At the moment, I’m dealing with some technical challenges—my CPU usage is struggling, and my current iMac crashes frequently with the new plugins I’m using, which makes mixing a bit tricky. I’m working hard to save for a new Mac Studio and Apple Display so I can streamline the process. Despite the hurdles, I’m determined to get it done, and I’m really excited for people to hear what’s coming next—so watch this space!
BEKA BARZ, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared BEKA BARZ’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
