Rebel burst on the music scene in 1997 as the lead vocalist of the boy-band No Authority. Signed by Michael Jackson to Sony, the band toured with 98 Degrees, Destiny’s Child, Aaron Carter, and Ashlee and Jessica Simpson. In 2000, they moved to Madonna’s Maverick label where they toured with Britney Spears and released their Top 40 hit, “Can I Get Your Number.” Another No Authority song, “I’m Telling You This,” appears on the Rugrats in Paris soundtrack.
The broke up in 2004 and Ricky became the lead vocalist of Harlow. Eight years later, he went solo, releasing two albums and several singles including “Boys and Sometimes Girls,” a song that climbed to #28 on the Billboard Club Chart. This week, Rebel’s out with the music video for his rock ballad ”Time,” the second release from The New Alpha, his third studio album that urges fans balance their feminine and masculine sides. He chatted with Digital Journal to explain more.
What does it mean to be a man today?
“I’ve learned over time that it’s important man learn to develop their feminine side while still maintaining their masculine side. It’s not easy balancing the yin and yang.”
Would you count yourself among the new alphas?
“Of course! “The New Alpha” is my proclamation that I am proud to be a man/male who just so happens to like wearing makeup and women’s clothing. Just because I wear women’s clothing and makeup does not mean that I have a desire to be a women. I love being a man. I do not need to be a women to impersonate one. There are no boy clothes or girl clothes. Pink does not mean girl. Blue does not mean boy. People put meaning into everything but everything is meaningless. We live in a world that forces everyone to think black and white, or rather, blue and pink. Which tribe does a guy like me belong to? The left except me for being LGBT but are disappointed when I do not Trump bash. The right appreciate my patriotism but not my flamboyant image. At the end of the day, ‘The New Alpha’ doesn’t need to belong to one particular tribe or the other. He is his own tribe. My name is Ricky Rebel not Ricky Conformist.”
Other than Ricky Rebel, who embodies the definition of “The New Alpha”?
“Bowie and Prince come to mind. They were strong male leaders who were not afraid of their feminine sides. They pushed the boundaries of masculinity and were loved and supported equally by men and women.”
What are your favorite tracks on the album?
“I love them all but some of the standouts include the title track that talks about the difference between gender vs. sex and how gender is a social construct and sex is biology. There are two sexes but many genders. ‘Life Is a Runway’ features Vivacious from Rupaul’s Drag Race. ‘Magic Carpet’ is a middle eastern sounding pop song about sex. I wanted to push the cultural appropriation button on that track. I am fortunate enough to not live in the middle east where they throw men like me off buildings. We have an incredible right here called freedom of speech.”
If you could open for any artist on tour right now, who would you choose?
“Adam Lambert. We can work together to show America that LGBT artists can be highly successful and mainstream too.”
What’s your favorite thing to do when you not writing, producing and performing?
“I love to eat healthy food, work out, and have sex. Yes, I am sexual. Deal with it. I am probably one of the first gay male pop artists who is not ashamed to be overtly sexual in my music and stage shows.”
Does that explain your provocative publicity images?
“Yes, I am feeling more rebellious than usual these days. I am fighting an extreme left who would love it if I acted more like a social justice warrior who is a drag queen and ‘gender fluid,’ and an extreme who right wishes I weren’t openly gay and that my clothes and image were more masculine.”
What makes you laugh?
“South Park, Rick & Morty, and Family Guy.”
What makes you mad?
“People who do not tolerate free thinkers.”
What brings you the greatest satisfaction?
“I recently had an album release party at The Mint in Los Angeles, and all of my friends showed up and we were able to raise money for Teen Cancer America. That made my heart grow.”
Of the seven deadly sins, which are you most guilty of?
“Vanity. I am proud of the way I look. My face is my mask and in this hostile, absurd, and beautiful world, makeup is my warpaint.”
To learn more about glam rocker Ricky Rebel, check out his official website.
