The journey of an artist is rarely a straight line, often marked by unexpected turns, profound self-discovery, and the relentless pressure of public perception. As Halsey recently reflected with Zane Lowe on the 10-year anniversary of her seminal debut album, Badlands, the conversation peeled back layers of identity, ambition, and the sheer audacity of youth.
This discussion, shared in the accompanying video, offers a rare glimpse into the pivotal moments that shaped not only a chart-topping record but also the enduring artistry of Halsey herself. From early industry encounters to navigating the complex terrain of pop stardom, her candid insights illuminate the often-unseen struggles and triumphs behind a decade of groundbreaking music.
The Genesis of a Game Changer: Apple Music, New Americana, and Early Encounters
The dawn of 2015 marked a significant shift in the music landscape, notably with the launch of Apple Music and its ambitious global radio station, Beats One. It was in this fervent atmosphere that Halsey’s track, “New Americana,” achieved a monumental milestone as the very first Beats One World Premiere World Record.
This early success wasn’t accidental but rather the culmination of raw talent meeting opportune moments and an industry hungry for fresh voices. Halsey recounted her surreal 2014 meeting with music titans Jimmy Iovine and Trent Reznor, a vivid scene she described as feeling “like music mafia.” At just 19 years old, she was thrust into discussions about the future of music, feeling like a raw recruit in a high-stakes game. The memory of Iovine’s austere demeanor, having Vitamin Water delivered on a silver tray, paints a picture of the power dynamics she encountered, a stark contrast to her own nascent career.
Zane Lowe’s parallel anecdote about Iovine’s relentless pursuit of “breaking a song” just two days after Beats One’s launch underscores the immense pressure inherent in the industry. It was this urgency that led to “New Americana” being plucked from obscurity, a move that secured not only Halsey’s initial trajectory but also validated Beats One’s mission. The success of this track was a potent reminder of the symbiotic relationship between emerging artists and the platforms that amplify their voices, a relationship built on both creative risk and commercial imperative.
Badlands: A Decade of Naïve Courage and Raw Authenticity
Ten years after its release, Badlands remains a touchstone in Halsey’s discography, a concept album that continues to resonate with fans and critics alike. Halsey admitted to a period of distancing herself from her early work, perceiving it as a jarring reminder of a self “before I had grown or before I had figured out… the rules.” However, she quickly learned that “the rules mean absolutely nothing,” allowing Badlands to become “so beloved” to her.
The album’s enduring appeal lies in what Halsey calls its “naive courage” – a fierce, unashamed expression of ideas untainted by the fear of reception. This era predated the self-consciousness that often creeps into an artist’s process, allowing for inherent decision-making and a raw, unapologetic voice. It’s a “Schrodinger’s record,” existing in an in-between space where success and failure were yet to be defined, imbued with the potent energy of the unknown.
Beyond its artistic merits, Badlands stands as a commercial triumph, achieving three times certified Platinum status and maintaining a significant presence on the Billboard Top 200 for an extended period. Even a decade later, it continues to climb charts, currently resting around the Top 50, a testament to its timeless quality and a powerful example of an album transcending its initial release cycle.
Unveiling the Personal Truths Behind the Art
The profound conceptual depth of Badlands was deeply rooted in Halsey’s personal struggles, something she openly revealed in the interview. At 18 and 19, while writing the album, she faced homelessness, fractured family relationships, and significant mental health challenges. Her songs became a prophetic channeling of these “restraints of my life,” an attempt to “vacate a restrictive or oppressive state of being.”
Halsey’s youth was marked by exposure to “danger and violence,” experiences she romanticized at the time as an “adventure” but now recognizes as traumatic. The album’s hypersexual themes, for instance, were a reflection of a child feeling forced into premature adulthood, “hyper-developed in ways that you shouldn’t have been forced to move through.” This vulnerability and defensiveness, though perhaps initially masked by a strong artistic persona, were the true bedrock of Badlands, giving it a raw, compelling edge that listeners unconsciously connected with.
The Evolution of a “Pop Star”: Rejecting Labels, Embracing Craft
Halsey’s relationship with the “pop star” label has been a complex dance, oscillating between initial rejection and eventual, nuanced embrace. She candidly admitted to disliking the term early on, believing that “pop wasn’t cool,” a sentiment shared by many artists aspiring to an edgier, less commercial identity. It was only later, alongside peers like Lorde, that she realized the transformative power of artists “fucking it up” and redefining pop music.
Her perspective evolved to appreciate the “science behind making a pop record,” acknowledging the incredible skill required to craft something universal yet singular. As a songwriter now working for other artists, she recognizes the formulaic brilliance that can make a track resonate widely. This growth signifies a maturity that allows for an embrace of the craft without compromising personal vision, transforming the “pop star” label from a restrictive container into a flexible descriptor.
The interview delves into the “specter” of the pop star label, questioning its permanence and whether one truly ceases to be one after a period of less commercial focus. Halsey notes that her last tour was her most successful, proving that her unique path, though not ravenously climbing the traditional ladder, has yielded profound success on her own terms. It’s a testament to rejecting the historical baggage of the term and defining what a “modern pop star” can be: one who presents a vivid vision without being confined to a narrow, manufactured image.
Navigating Public Perception and Imposter Syndrome
A striking revelation from Halsey’s reflection is the disconnect between her youthful reality and public perception. Many perceived her as older and more mature than her actual age when Badlands debuted, creating an “imposter syndrome” where she felt she didn’t “deserve to be here.” She was a “child star” in essence, albeit one thrust into the spotlight from obscurity, without the structured development of industry-groomed talents like Sabrina Carpenter.
Halsey recounted feeling unequipped for the red carpets and interviews, lacking media training and basic resources like proper dental care. Her outward projection of confidence was a “facade or a defense,” a necessary shield in a world she was ill-prepared for. This experience highlights the immense pressure on young artists to present a polished image, often at the expense of their authentic selves, and the exhausting effort required to maintain such a front.
The persistent misperception of her age, where she’s often assumed to be older than her 30 years, underscores how deeply public identity can diverge from personal reality. Halsey’s journey demonstrates a profound process of introspection, akin to therapy, where she continually re-evaluates her “personal garden” and acknowledges the younger self, “for all of the tone, maybe not being quite right, the way you’re saying it…the truth is in there regardless.”
The Industrial Heart: Influences and Artistic Evolution
Halsey’s artistic DNA is deeply intertwined with her influences, most notably Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. She admired his “bity and ballsy and mouthy and fucky” angst, his brokenness, and the authority he commanded over his raw emotion. This industrial sensibility, woven into the very fabric of Badlands, manifested in tracks like “Castle” and defined the album’s sound.
It’s no coincidence that her album If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, is often hailed as one of her best. Halsey explicitly stated she’s been “ripping them off my whole life,” recognizing a “gravitational pull” towards artists who speak her language. This collaboration was a homecoming, a validation of her core artistic leanings that often fought for attention amidst her pop trajectory.
Other influences, like Gwen Stefani, demonstrated the power of constantly evolving sound and visual aesthetics, always seeking “the subversive angle.” These inspirations fostered in Halsey a deep commitment to experimentation and a refusal to be confined to one genre or identity. It reflects her core desire, articulated even at 19, to “do everything and try everything” and “refuse to be defined.”
Finding Balance: Life, Art, and the Unfolding Narrative
Today, Halsey embraces a different rhythm, prioritizing a “quiet little life” alongside her demanding career. Her current philosophy, shaped by years of triumphs and tragedies, is refreshingly simple: “it’s just not that fucking serious.” This newfound perspective allows her to navigate the complexities of her life—from her son’s first day of school to managing ongoing health challenges like chemotherapy, all while preparing for a tour—with a sense of groundedness.
Her role, as she sees it, is simply “to bear witness to it and then write about it.” This profound acceptance of life’s unpredictable flow liberates her from the pressure to constantly “ravenously climb” or adhere to past versions of herself. The journey with Badlands taught her the intensity of fighting to survive, but now, she finds freedom in the understanding that art can be made from a place of joy and exploration, not just desperate necessity.
Ask Anything: Halsey’s BADLANDS, Tour, and Pop Stardom
What is this article about?
This article discusses Halsey’s interview with Zane Lowe, where she reflects on the 10-year anniversary of her debut album, *Badlands*.
Who is Halsey, and what is *Badlands*?
Halsey is an artist, and *Badlands* is the name of her debut album, which was released ten years ago and remains popular today.
What was a significant early achievement for Halsey’s music?
Halsey’s track “New Americana” achieved a major milestone by becoming the very first Beats One World Premiere World Record when Apple Music launched in 2015.
What personal challenges did Halsey face while making *Badlands*?
While writing *Badlands* at a young age, Halsey faced struggles such as homelessness, fractured family relationships, and mental health challenges.
How does Halsey view the term “pop star”?
Initially, Halsey disliked the label “pop star,” but she later came to appreciate the skill and craft involved in making pop music and redefined the term for herself.