Interview: Ricky Rebel

Back in the late 90s pop reigned supreme. Though the mid nineties launch of the Spice Girls had created a flurry of successful girl groups - Honeyz, Solid HarmoniE, Hepburn - the boyband still reigned supreme. From the Backstreet Boys to 911, the boy bands continued to be met by a frenzy of screaming teens everywhere they went. As is inevitable in the fame game, some soared while others sank.

No Authority, discovered by Michael Jackson and signed by Madonna, should have been top of the pop tree, but somehow the UK overlooked their musical contribution. However, Stateside, they shone bright but burnt out after just two records. While his bandmates have sought success in other fields, former frontman Ricky Rebel has bided his time and is finally ready for another shot at the big time.

With his debut single 'Manipulator' a sensational attack on the industry that crushed him, Ricky Rebel proves himself a musical act determined to achieve success on his own terms. With so much to talk about, The Yorkshire Times were pleased to find Rebel an open book on the past and the present...



No Authority were launched amid an array of hype, did you feel an extreme pressure to succeed due to the attention you were paid?

Yes. I was only 15 years old and I was already friends with Michael Jackson, signed to his label and touring Europe. My life was a whirlwind of press, photo shoots and performances. We even released our debut album in Neverland Ranch. It was and still is the life I've always wanted. It was difficult being told what to do, though, by the label and management. I've never been a person who likes following the rules.

What were the highs and lows of boyband acclaim?

The highest point in my life has been the day we got signed to Madonna's label, Maverick Records. At the time Epic/Sony was just sitting on the album. Maverick came in and bought us from Epic and released our record in time to join Britney Spears on her Oops, I Did It Again Tour. Being on tour with Britney, working under Madonna's label, and having the 2nd most added record in the U.S. (Can I Get Your Number - No Authority) was definitely the highlight of my boyband days.

When the group ended, I went into a depression. I sort of lost my identity. I had to fight my way back to get where I am today. I've gotten many doors shut in my face and loads of empty promises, but here I am today, still working, creating, and inspiring new fans. I can't stop because being an entertainer is my destiny.

You are barely recognizable from your No Authority days - have you spent your adult career trying to escape your teenage success?

No. In fact, I am currently working with a producer who's produced shows for VH1 and MTV. We are making a reality show based on my life from boyband singer to international pop artist Ricky Rebel. It's going to follow my day-to-day crazy life and the life of my friends in Hollywood. In that sense, I don't necessarily think that I have been trying to escape my past teenage success. If anything, I've tried to use it to my advantage.

I have experience under my belt that green artists can only imagine. I use all the ups and downs of my past and translate it into music that helps to inspire people to continue fighting for their dreams. I look different because I like change. I am not one of those artists that can keep the same hair colour/style for their whole career. I am a chameleon. Every new look and persona I create is an authentic expression of who I am being in the moment.

No Authority were not as large in the UK as they were in other territories, do you think this buys you the freedom to launch yourself as a new act as opposed to garnering comparisons to your earlier work?

At this point I wouldn't mind being compared to my earlier work, but to be quite frank, the only thing that would be considered "my work" in that pop group would be my vocals and the choreography for our live shows. I was only allowed by the label to write one song on one of the albums. I got to help with some vocal arrangements here and there, but that's about it. I am proud of the vocals I did, though.

I literally would spend hours in the studio doing all the background parts because I am so fast. The label wanted only name writers like Rodney Jerkins, who's worked with Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga and Beyonce, to write and produce our first album. The music I make now is 100% "my work," being that I write it, produce it, sing it, and perform it live. There are no strings attached to me. I am truly an independent artist, Self-manufactured. I am my own manager, publicist and booking agent. I would be the happiest person on the planet if the UK embraced me and my music. I love the UK.

A lot of attention has been paid to your connection with Michael Jackson - have you found this a help or hindrance when establishing yourself?

Being associated with Michael Jackson and being a friend of his has been an absolute honour. He was and still is one of the greatest entertainers, perhaps THE greatest entertainer of all time. No one can take that from him. The label forbade us to talk about Michael in interviews. They wanted the least amount of association. But Michael was the kindest man. We used to play at Neverland Ranch, and to this day I can remember how amazing it was to hang with the King of Pop.

You have already been nominated for a RAW award for your work as an independent artist - how does this bolster your confidence?

I not only have been nominated, but we won! You're talking to Ricky Rebel - Independent Artist of The Year. Winning the RAWards was a super boost in morale. It showed me and my team that we are on our way and that we are doing the right thing. The combination of all my experiences from the past have helped me to put together a thrilling live show that is commercial, theatrical and artistic. Everything comes into play: The band, fashion, choreography, etc. They are all key elements that make my show work.

How are your goals different now, to when you were in the boyband?

My goal still has not changed. I want to be my version of the greatest entertainer the world has ever known.

Define yourself as an artist...

I am a dynamic artist. I am a dramatic artist. I am a deep/sensitive artist. I am a flamboyant artist. I am a sexy artist. I am a fun artist. I am a freaky artist. But most of all, I am the best at being Ricky Rebel. There is no one out there quite like me. I have a purpose to help the GBLT community, especially gay teens. I want them to love who they are. I hate that kids kill themselves for being gay. I want to change all that and prove that you can be gay and highly successful in any career path you choose.


If you had to choose you own comparatives, what artists would you select?

I would hope that people compare me to the artists that I most admire: David Bowie, Prince and Madonna. I have also heard that people think that my music has a Depeche Mode vibe, which makes sense to me because I practically worship that band. I also have a deep connection to Gerard Way, the lead singer of the band My Chemical Romance. I played a character called "Showpony" in two of their music videos for their album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.

On set, I got to witness a true artist at work. He is extremely authentic in his expression, has a say in everything, and he puts his all into the creative process. I can totally relate. I am so grateful that we are friends and that I got the opportunity to work with them. Being in their music videos has also helped me to gain a worldwide fan base that I otherwise wouldn't have right now if it weren't for them. MCR Rocks!

What are the best and worst comparisons you have heard to date?

The best : David Bowie and Madonna
The worst : Certain American Idol contestants.

Don't get me wrong, I respect everybody who's ever had success from doing talent competitions (especially my talented friend Adam Lambert) but I am not a karaoke singer. I could not just go up on stage and belt out a comparable rendition of a Whitney Houston ballad, but I can take the time to sit down and write, record and produce my own material that draws from my complex past experience, then stage and choreograph a live performance that kicks ass and produce/direct my own music video and do it all without a big label budget.

That's what separates an American Idol from an American Hero. Let's get real, Madonna would have been cut during the first round of auditions. She doesn't have American idol Kelly Clarkson chops, and yet she sells out arenas around the world at the age of 54. Enough said.

Can you tell us a little more about the lead single 'Manipulator'...

"Manipulator" is the lead single from my album and also the title of the record. Growing up in the music business has been very challenging. I had to learn how to develop a thicker skin. A lot of managers and producers tried to change me. I realized that their vision is never going to work because it's not my authentic ideal. The best way I know how to get out of a manipulative situation is to walk away, unplug, let go, and then plug into something that feels good. That's what that song is all about.

Why did you select it as the single?

I selected the song and its remix as the first single because that's the song and video that people resonate with the most. It's a common theme in many peoples lives. We want to be loved, but we have to sometimes disconnect from the people we love the most if the relationship becomes toxic so that we can discover a new possibility. That is what I have had to do over and over in my life. Like a cat, I always end up on my feet because I turn to music. That's ultimately what I want to do for my fans. My message is this: Rebel the darkness, shine your light. I want to heal people through music.

Does it epitomise your sound?

At the moment, yes. I love where music is today. I love the whole Lady Gaga, dance, pop, electro, dubstep, trance, and trap phase in music that we are living in. I am a dancer first and a singer/musician second. I love to dance so consequently I love music that makes me want to dance, and Manipulator fits that bill.

Are there are any other songs you are excited to get in to the public forum?

I want people to hear a song I wrote called "Straight Jacket." A lot of my Rebels have told me that it is their favourite song. I wrote the song because I was tired of men feeling so scared of expressing themselves. I read this book called "Real Boys" and it turns out that men are terrified of being perceived as gay, and consequently are afraid to express emotions that might make them appear "weak."

Men are living in emotional "Straight-Jackets." It is sad because even homosexuals deal with this problem. They feel like less of a man because they love other men, and that couldn't be further from the truth. In my song I proclaim that it doesn't matter who you choose to love just so long as you are capable of loving yourself enough to express love to someone else.

Image is clearly quite important to you - do you feel music and image are connected at the core?

I totally believe that image and the work you create are one. I've always been attracted to the artists who possess the strongest image. If you hear a good song, then you will like that particular song for a while but you might not ever buy another song of theirs. But if you love the artist who wrote that song, then you will continue to buy their music and support them because you have fallen in love with the person, not just their work. The artists' life is the work itself and that person ultimately becomes your hero, and that's what I want to be for my fans.

With your name about to garner attention in the UK, can we expect any live performances on these shores soon?

I plan on performing in the UK soon, absolutely. I want to meet the right people who have connections in the UK market. If there are any booking agents or managers available who are reading this right now and who have connections in the UK market, please feel free to visit my official website and shoot me an email: www.RickyRebelRocks.com

It would be so fantastic to perform and then get to meet and touch my UK Rebels. And, btw, even if you don't have connections in the UK, please visit my website and connect with me. I love to talk to my fans.