♫ Indie Spotlight: Ricky Rebel – I Adore You feat. Jayk Gallagher (Listen + Interview)

you’ve got that something

that makes me want

to change my ways

Genre: Pop, Dance, Alternative

Ricky Rebel had success as a teen in the music industry. He was discovered by Michael Jackson and signed to Madonna’s Maverick label as a member of the boy band No Authority.

He’s left the boy band days behind and is now venturing out as a solo artist. He’s taken his sexy pop sound the indie route with the release of “The Blue EP” with a full album due out in July.

We had a chance to chat with Ricky Rebel and learn a little bit about his creative drive:

Where are you located?

I live in Los Angeles California

Describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard you before.

Ricky Rebel is a POP, Rock, EDM hybrid. I like to call it Rebel POP because I sit somewhere in between all those styles with no apologies.

What inspired you to pursue a music career?

I knew that I wanted to be a singer the first day my brother bought me the Madonna “Like A Virgin” CD. I was entranced by her beauty, charisma, and performance ability. She was so much more than just being a good singer.

What has been your greatest career accomplishment to date?

I was discovered by Michael Jackson and then signed to Madonna’s record label in 2000 with the pop group No Authority. We released 2 albums & opened for Britney Spears but nothing compared to winning Artist of the year at the 2012 RAWards.

It was a simple accomplishment compared to what I had already accomplished; it meant so much to me because the band and I earned it ourselves without the help of a major label!

What has been your biggest challenge as a music artist?

Getting exposure for my work. You have to work extra hard to be heard these days. It seems like everyone has an album out. The ones who have the tenacity to stick it out for the long haul are ultimately going to be the ones to succeed.

Tell us about The Blue EP.

The Blue EP is a collection of 5 handcrafted songs that I wrote and produced with an extra “Savior” remix that was produced by the talented Matt Boss.

The EP gives a little glimpse into the depth of my upcoming Blue Album. I tackle subjects like Love, Commitment, Divorce, Regret, and life after Loss on this record.

The color Blue has many connotations to it. Blue can be a depressive feeling and it can also be healing entity as represented with the sky and the ocean. My album covers all of these feelings. I feel like this record is about healing and renewal.

Tell us about your upcoming shows and full-album release?

1. I have an upcoming show that will be live streamed April 21st

Ricky Rebel Live at POPCAT at the famous Gay club RAGE in West Hollywood CA

2. June 14th I am going to be performing at the “OUT AT THE FAIR” event in San Diego. It’s a gay friendly community fair that we are going to be performing at to raise money for the LGBTQ community.

3. HUGE CD release party at Club Bar SinisterJuly 12th.

4. My upcoming LP “The Blue Album” is scheduled to drop JULY 1st.

What are your immediate music career goals? (1 to 3 years)

In 1 – 3 years I want to book some festivals like Coachella, SXSW, Warped Tour etc.

I also want to perform on a talk show like Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen, or any show on Primetime. I have a feeling when people see our act their jaws are going to drop. I have been performing since I was child and I know how to entertain a crowd. My goal is to just be the greatest entertainer that I can possibly be. PERIOD.

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“I Adore You” is the latest single from the The Blue EP. It’s written and produced by Ricky Rebel himself and features Jayk Gallagher (an actor and musician in his own right).

It’s a fun, catchy dance track that will definitely have the dance clubs moving.

Peep the track and let me know what you think: