A Black and Paper interview with Singer Musican Ricky Rebel.

I like Ricky’s in your face spirit. He is not afraid to express or show how he feels while doing it with a smile and a show off my body attitude. After the attention his Red Carpet look got at the Grammys, we had to learn more. After a quick What’s App conversation, he enthusiastically agreed to answer a few questions.

Q&A

How did you and your stylist Elena Nazaroff come up with the concept?

I told Elena that I wanted something sexy and provocative like the glam era of David Bowie and Prince but that I wanted it to have a message. Andre Soriano, the designer and Elena Nazaroff ,my art director both sketched out their ideas for me. The look wasn’t finalized until I got into the room with Andre and actually started creating it. Andre wanted to capture the spirit of my music so we played my albums on full rotation as we made it. I think that’s why it came out so bold and rebellious. It was a beautiful, collaborative effort incorporating all of our innovative ideas into one.

Get NOTICED!

The Grammys Red Carpet is go big or go home, did you have this in mind?

Absolutely! I am a go big or go home performer. When I get on stage I give 100%. I view the GRAMMYs like a performance. The show started the second I stepped out on the carpet.

Was there an inspiration?

I was inspired by Prince’s performance at the MTV Awards. Back in the 80’s it was ok for men to show off, peacock, and be sexual. Right now, I feel like mainstream artists in the male category are not expressing themselves sexually enough because they’re afraid of being perceived as gay or losing their Christian/religious fan base. I am not afraid of losing fans because all of my fans know that I cannot be controlled. They love me for it. Rebel is going to do what’s best for Rebel. I am not owned by the radical left or the radical right. I dictate: how I dress, what I say, and how I think. Like my new song says, “I’m Not Your Preacher.”

Have you been surprised by the success of your look? The level of coverage?

Yes! Very Surprised! Last year, I wore the Trump suit to the GRAMMYs. That looks got a lot of press. It was 50/50 negative and positive coverage. People either loved it or hated it. This time around I felt like people were talking about the fashion aspect of my look and less about the politics which is exactly what I wanted. I am getting very bored with politics lately. This year the coverage of my look was local and internationally appealing. Intelligent people can see the humor in my look. I wanted to poke fun at the impeachment hearing which I felt had further divided this country.

Kiss and Make Up

Ultimately, I want the left and the right to kiss and make up and work together to get stuff done. I also wanted people to “impeach” my booty. “Impeach” means to call into question the integrity or validity of (a practice). I consider my body a work of art and my ass is 100% organic.

Fashion Loves Music

Why are so many musicians embracing fashion?

I think fashion is the best way to express how you feel without speaking. Believe it or not, there is a shy side to my personality. I use fashion to attract people to me. My boots, for instance, are a great way to start a conversation with a complete stranger. I use fashion to connect with people. I believe that’s the goal of every artist.

What are your music plans?

We are developing a Ricky Rebel Vegas Show! It’s going to incorporate my music and I am going to tell the story of an “American Rebel.” That will be the name of my next album. I will more than likely be releasing it this summer. The record is being mixed and mastered and co-produced as we speak by Gary Miller, who has worked with David Bowie, Cher, and Kylie Minogue. Gary is determined to get me on the GRAMMYs stage one day performing and/or winning a GRAMMY. It’s amazing what you can do when people believe in you 100%. In the meantime, I am loving my journey and enjoying every second. My life is an adventure.

Certainly, his adventure will continue. We thank Ricky for the interview.

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Defiant in the Age of Trump, Ricky Rebel plays the gender bender rules his way. The Los Angeles based performer, singer challenges the notions of fashion, style and masculinity drawing inspiration from trailblazing icons.

Black and Paper exclusive interview with singer Ricky Rebel.

Were there personal conflicts concerning your sexuality while being a boy band?

I was told by management and the record label not to look and act “effeminate.” We had to do media training to teach us how to appear more “straight.” It had a big effect on me, especially receiving the news that my flamboyant costumes and stage antics could potentially get the boy band cut from the label.

What period of Madonna’s career influenced you the most?

I loved the Blond Ambition Era. She was powerful and vulnerable at the same time. A lot of what I am going through right now is a reflection of that duality. That was Madonna at her best.

Has it been difficult being a “gender bender” in the Age of Trump?

No, I do what I do regardless of who our President is. At the end of the day, sometimes we need a good kick in the ass to get things into high gear. I feel strengthened these days, not weakened. I can understand how/why LGBT could be nervous at this time but I believe that we will always win at the end of the day because we are strong and resilient and more people these days are realizing that Gay Rights are Human Rights.

How has the concept of masculinity changed?

I produced “The New Alpha” because I started seeing the trend in victim identity and the PC culture. Everyone being offended by everything and using that to manipulate and control their environment. I wanted to strengthen the world. Being gay does not mean that we are weak. Some of the most powerful people in the world are gay. We need to stop playing the victim role and start acting like men. Strong, sensitive, compassionate, responsible, vulnerable, and balanced men.

The New Alpha is a highly dominant successful character who happens to use makeup and wear women’s clothing occasionally because he’s smart enough to realize that these things possess no gender. Masculinity and femininity do not belong to one sex or the other. We need to balance the scales. It’s not healthy to be overly aggressive (a “masculine” trait) and it’s just as toxic to be overly passive (commonly seen as a “feminine” trait).

I see Grace Jones elements in your looks, true or false?

Absolutely. I have love for Grace. She pushed many boundaries. I appreciate artists that do not quite fit the mold.

Is the music business become more accepting of LGBT Artists?

Not exactly. It’s ok to be gay if you hide it. I do not see many mainstream LGBT male artists who are celebrating their sexuality openly. I can count on one hand. If they are openly gay then they play the corporate label game where it’s ok to be gay just as long as you can pass as straight. Labels claim to be progressive and pro-gay but the artists they sign must look/act straight. I intend to challenge all of that.

Do you prefer Blondes or Brunettes?

Blondes.

What are your upcoming plans?

Now, I’m preparing for a tour. You can find all upcoming tour information on my official website: www.RickyRebelRocks.com. My record “The New Alpha” is available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and Spotify.

Thank you for the interview.