Rex Orange County

Rex Orange County – Life, Career, and Memorable Lines

Learn about Rex Orange County (born May 4, 1998), the English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Explore his journey from self-released albums to mainstream recognition, his musical style, challenges, and some of his most quoted lines.

Introduction

Rex Orange County (real name Alexander James O’Connor) is an English musician known for blending elements of indie pop, jazz, bedroom pop, and soft rock. Born on May 4, 1998, he grew from bedroom recordings and self-releases to collaborating with major artists and topping charts. His music often carries emotional vulnerability, introspection, and melodic warmth, earning him a devoted fanbase and critical recognition.

Early Life and Family

Alexander James O’Connor was born on 4 May 1998 in Grayshott, in the county of Hampshire, England.

He was exposed to music early: at age 5 he joined his school choir (his mother worked at the school) and later learned percussion, piano, and other instruments.

During adolescence, he attended the BRIT School for Performing Arts, where he studied drums and was one of the few percussionists in his year.

He adopted the stage name Rex Orange County from a nickname based on “O.C.” (for O’Connor) and referencing “Orange County” as a playful twist.

Musical Career & Achievements

Beginnings & Self-Release Era

At around 16, O’Connor began producing music using Apple’s Logic software, teaching himself to compose, record, and arrange songs. Bcos U Will Never B Free via Bandcamp and SoundCloud.

Rise & Collaborations

After his debut, he released solo singles in 2016 and 2017, including “Sunflower” and “Best Friend”, which achieved significant streaming success. Apricot Princess (2017), further solidified his presence in the indie/pop world.

A key turning point was his collaboration with Tyler, the Creator on Flower Boy (2017). O’Connor co-wrote and lent vocals to songs like “Boredom” and “Foreword.” That partnership increased his exposure and musical credibility.

In 2018, he released “Loving Is Easy” (with Benny Sings), which became a breakthrough hit. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Major Label & Recent Works

His third album, Pony, was released in October 2019 under RCA Records. “Face to Face”, which reflects themes of emotional distance, trust, and introspection.

In 2022, he released Who Cares?, which achieved his first UK #1 album.

In 2024, he released a new album titled The Alexander Technique, marking an evolution in both sound and thematic focus.

Style, Influence & Recognition

Rex Orange County’s music is often characterized as a hybrid of bedroom pop, soft rock, jazz, lo-fi, and indie elements.

He plays multiple instruments—vocals, guitar, piano, drums, bass—and often contributes to production and arrangement. Stevie Wonder, Frank Ocean, and Jeff Rosenstock, whom he cites as shaping his musical sensibility.

Critics and fans often praise his lyrical honesty, emotional nuance, and the way his songs balance accessibility and introspective depth.

Historical & Cultural Context

• Rex emerged in the mid-2010s when bedroom production and indie/DIY music models were gaining momentum, enabled by streaming platforms and lowered barriers to entry.

• His blending of genres reflects a broader trend of de-genreing in modern pop and alternative music — crossing lines between R&B, jazz, indie, and pop.

• The collaboration with Tyler, the Creator aligned him with a wave of boundary-pushing pop and hip-hop artists who blurred genre conventions.

• His timing also intersects with generation-young artists asserting vulnerability, mental health honesty, and emotional authenticity in music.

Personality, Challenges & Public Episodes

Rex has been relatively private but has faced public challenges:

• In October 2022, he was charged with six counts of sexual assault alleged to have occurred in 2021; he denied all charges.

• In December 2022, the charges were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, citing insufficient evidence.

• The case drew media attention and commentary about public figures and accountability, though the formal accusations did not proceed to trial.

In his creative identity, he often speaks about the tension between internal life, public expectations, and staying true to one’s voice. He has commented on how worrying about others’ opinions hampers authentic songwriting.

He’s also publicly expressed fears and self-doubts — for instance, a whimsical admission of being “afraid of peacocks.”

Notable Quotes

Here are some memorable lines attributed to Rex Orange County:

“Really I’ve just gotta be making really great music that I love and not worrying too much about what other people are gonna think about it.” “The moment you start thinking about what other people and other artists think, you’re going to start writing like other people.” “I wear my musical heart on my sleeve and show all my influences off.” “I just want to tell people how I am.” “As long as you’re being yourself and putting out what you want to put out, it’ll be the best thing you could do.” “I think there’s no limit to ambition, and if you want something, you can make anything happen, so go for it.”

Also fun eccentric lines:

“I’m afraid of peacocks.” “I met a lot of label people … soon I realised … it wasn’t much about music but more so about their paycheck.”

These quotes reflect his values of authenticity, creative integrity, and the internal vs. external pressures artists face.

Lessons from Rex Orange County’s Journey

1. Start with what you have.
   Rex leaned on self-teaching, home production, and independent distribution to build his foundation.

2. Stay true to your voice.
   He emphasizes not writing for others’ expectations, but expressing how he is — a guiding principle in his work.

3. Embrace genre fluidity.
   His success shows that crossing musical boundaries can resonate more broadly when done sincerely.

4. Collaborate wisely.
   Partnerships like that with Tyler, the Creator opened doors — but he retained his identity.

5. Transparency and vulnerability matter.
   His lyrics often highlight inner doubts, relationships, and emotional complexity — traits many fans find relatable.

6. Navigating controversy requires care.
   The sexual assault case, though resolved, is a reminder of how public life carries risk, and the importance of clarity, integrity, and responsibility.

Conclusion

Rex Orange County’s musical arc—from a self-producing teenager in rural England to chart-topping artist—exemplifies contemporary pathways in music shaped by technology, authenticity, and emotional resonance. His evolution shows a commitment to honesty over formula, and a willingness to explore internal landscapes in his art.