Before achieving global stardom as an ultra-polished pop performer, Tate McRae’s artistic journey began modestly in Calgary, Alberta, where she spent her preteen years writing songs at home and sharing them on YouTube. Today, while her public image is largely defined by high-caliber, intricately choreographed performances and visually striking, maximalist music videos – embodying a fierce alter ego she calls Tatiana – Billboard is recognizing another facet of her talent: her profound songwriting capabilities. As this year’s Women in Music Hitmaker, McRae is celebrated for the introspective side that once found solace in crafting lyrics alone in her bedroom, a stark contrast to singing before thousands of screaming fans.

The 22-year-old’s songwriting prowess, often underappreciated, is as formidable as her commanding stage presence. After a debut rooted in the familiar melancholia of Gen Z pop, marked by her first Billboard Hot 100 appearance in 2020 with "You Broke Me First," McRae strategically evolved her sound. She collaborated with renowned hit-makers Ryan Tedder and Amy Allen to produce pristine, radio-friendly pop anthems, designed to leverage her background as a competitive dancer. This transformation allowed her to channel the energy of past pop icons like Britney Spears, to whom she is now frequently compared.

Choreographer Sean Bankhead, known for his work with artists such as Lil Nas X and Normani, played a pivotal role in McRae's artistic metamorphosis. Recalling their initial meeting, Bankhead stated, “Tate was dedicated and disciplined to become the absolute best. I have always wanted to mold the next big pop girlie who could not just write amazing songs and sing them live but of course command every stage she stepped foot on. And with Tate we accomplished that in a very quick two years.” This strategic partnership solidified her image as a multifaceted pop sensation.

McRae’s career has seen a rapid ascent, establishing her as a chart regular following her 2023 breakthrough album, "Think Later," and its Billboard 200-topping 2025 follow-up, "So Close to What." Hit singles such as "Greedy," "It’s Ok I’m Ok," and her post-The Kid LAROI breakup anthem "Tit for Tat" all secured spots in the top 20 of the Hot 100. A significant milestone arrived in May, when her collaboration with Morgan Wallen, "What I Want," became her first Hot 100 No. 1. Despite this track diverging from her signature pop sound, McRae found it a natural fit, telling Billboard, "I used to write to only guitar in the studio, so it felt natural."

Currently, McRae finds herself navigating life between her polished public persona and her private reality. On a drizzly Friday afternoon in February, after a photo shoot, she openly discussed her burgeoning affection for Jersey City – located near where her rumored boyfriend, Jack Hughes of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, is based – and her love for rainy New York weather. Amidst her growing fame, she has consciously combated online speculation about her personal life and politics, choosing to ditch social media and "romanticize" her real life instead. She has also openly addressed the complexities of being a young female pop star, particularly concerning public sexualization and the constant scrutiny.

With her successful $110.8 million-grossing "Miss Possessive" arena tour concluded in November, McRae is back in the studio, drawing inspiration from diverse sources, including recent travels to Paris and a newfound obsession with Scottish dream-pop legends Cocteau Twins. She is set to return to the stage this summer with headlining slots at major festivals like Montreal’s Osheaga and Chicago’s Lollapalooza. Reflecting on her creative process, McRae embraces the unknown: "I’m just constantly trying to make art that feels somewhat timeless and [give] performances that feel like they can eventually stand up beside my favorite performances. It definitely feels like the beginning. I feel like right now I’m looking at a blank page being like, ‘Where do I take this?’"

When defining a hit song, McRae emphasizes the need for an extreme and open mind in writing, believing that with "every key has been played, every word has been used," all an artist has is their unique perspective. Among her most meaningful hits, she highlights "Sports Car" as a "swing and such a fun song to write," and "Greedy," which provided "pure clarity and direction" during a lost phase at 19. Her dream collaborator is Lana Del Rey, whom she listens to "24/7." She also admires fellow women in the industry, including Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter, Gracie Abrams, and Olivia Rodrigo, praising Rodrigo's brutal honesty in songwriting. Rihanna is another icon she looks up to, considering her career "the best ever" and calling her "the coolest woman alive."

Addressing her widely discussed "rebrand," McRae reveals it stemmed from a very specific vision: "I want to be a pop star. I want Sean Bankhead. I want to write over this tempo. I want to do it in a hockey rink. I want this to be the aesthetic." Her focus was on assembling the right team to actualize this clear mental image. While acknowledging that being a woman under constant public scrutiny can be scary and overwhelming, she views it as a catalyst for growth and self-affirmation. Despite the emotional impact of comments on her body or misperceptions, McRae remains steadfast in her purpose: "I’m just here to make art. Trying to explain yourself is a game that I can never win."

Fans can watch Billboard’s Women in Music 2026 live on YouTube.com/Billboard and Billboard.com on April 29, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT.