Rebecca Black: Reinventing Pop, Redefining Power

Rebecca Black’s laugh bursts through the screen, warm and unguarded, as she adjusts her camera for our virtual interview. Though we’re separated by distance, her presence feels immediate, as though she’s leaning through the screen to share a story. Her charisma is palpable, but there’s also a sense of groundedness—one that reflects years of growth, reinvention, and resilience.

It’s a pivotal moment in her career. Once defined by a viral sensation that took on a life of its own, Black now commands her narrative with a bold, genre-defying artistry. As we speak, the 27-year-old is preparing for the release of Salvation, her highly anticipated sophomore album, set to drop on January 17, 2025. The album builds on the experimental spirit of her previous work, offering a cohesive yet daring vision of her artistic evolution.

A Bold Evolution in Sound and Vision

For Black, artistic growth has always been about pushing boundaries, but the journey to her current creative space was anything but linear. Her first full-length album, Let Her Burn (2023), was a kaleidoscopic blend of influences: metal, drum ‘n’ bass, ethereal pop, and even elements of industrial sound. It was an album that, in her words, “opened every door and walked through each one just to see what would happen.”

“I think Let Her Burn was about proving something—not just to other people, but to myself,” Black reflects. “I needed to explore, to experiment, to try every wild idea that came to mind. It was a beautiful chaos.”

Her next project, Salvation, represents a new kind of confidence. “This time around, I’ve been following the threads that feel the truest to me,” she explains. “The music and production still take risks, but it all feels connected, like every piece is part of the same world.” The result is an album steeped in electronic influences, with tracks like the club-ready “TRUST!” and the irresistibly dark pop anthem “Sugar Water Cyanide.” These songs preview the edgier, more cohesive sound that defines Salvation.

Queerness as Creative Fuel

Central to Rebecca Black’s work is her identity as a queer Latina artist. For her, queerness isn’t just a facet of her life—it’s the heartbeat of her creativity. “Queerness is the bone of everything I do,” she says, her voice soft but sure. “It shapes the way I see the world, the stories I want to tell, and the risks I’m willing to take.”

Her upcoming album draws heavily from the queer spaces she’s frequented, from Berlin’s techno havens to London’s underground clubs. “There’s something about those spaces—They’re unbounded, unapologetic. You can feel the freedom in the air,” she says. “That’s what this project is about—peeling back the last threads of fear and just being myself in the boldest way possible.”

Black credits much of her creative risk-taking to the lessons she’s learned within queer culture. “Queerness taught me how to fight for myself, how to embrace parts of me that might have felt scary before. Every bold choice I’ve made stems from that.”

A New Wave of Queer Pop Icons

Black’s rise to prominence is part of a broader cultural movement. Alongside artists like Ethel Cain, Charli XCX, and Tove Lo, she is at the forefront of a queer-led reinvention of pop music. These artists are not just pushing the boundaries of sound; they are reshaping the idea of what it means to be a pop star in the 21st century. “There’s an incredible energy right now among queer artists,” she says. “We’re all pushing each other to be braver, to take risks, to go further than we thought possible.”

Black’s playlist reflects this vibrant creative moment. She raves about experimental acts like Frost Children and Snow Strippers, as well as the boundary-pushing work of FKA Twigs. “There’s so much cool shit happening right now,” she enthuses. “It’s an inspiring time to be making music.”

The Art of Performance

If there’s one thing Rebecca Black has mastered, it’s the art of creating unforgettable performances. Whether wielding intricate choreography or leading a crowd through a DJ set, Black knows how to captivate an audience.

Her live appearances—most recently at the Portola Music Festival and her debut Boiler Room DJ set—have set the stage for her upcoming Salvation Tour, kicking off on March 4 in Seattle. The global trek will bring her to cities across North America and Europe, culminating in an April 5 performance in Amsterdam.

“The performance aspect of my work is where my theater kid roots really shine,” she says with a laugh. “I grew up on stages, and I’ve always loved the idea of crafting a story that unfolds in real time.”

Her collaboration with choreographer Richie Jackson has been a game-changer. Known for his work with Lady Gaga, Jackson has helped Black elevate her live performances into something iconic. “Richie just gets it,” she says. “He understands how to take a concept and turn it into a moment that lives beyond the stage.”

A Life Beyond Music

As our conversation winds down, I ask Black what she might be doing if music hadn’t become her life’s work. She smiles, considering the question. “There’s a version of me that stayed in my hometown,” she muses. “She’s bartending at a dive bar in Montana, maybe running a little farm on the side.”

And then there’s the teacher version. “I always thought I’d end up teaching—kindergarten, maybe,” she says. “I still think about it sometimes. Teaching feels like the kind of work that leaves the world a little better than you found it.”

But for now, Black is exactly where she wants to be: making music that matters, taking risks that inspire, and carving a path for the next generation of queer artists to follow.

Rebecca Black Salvation Tour

Catch Rebecca Black live on her Salvation Tour, coming to these cities:

• March 4: Seattle, WA – Neumos
• March 5: Portland, OR – Hawthorne
• March 7: San Francisco, CA – Bimbo’s 365 Club
• March 8: Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
• March 12: Amsterdam – Melkweg OZ
• March 13: Berlin – SchwuZ
• March 15: Brussels – Botanique Orangerie
• March 17: Bristol – SWX
• March 20: London – Outernet
• March 21: Manchester – O2 Ritz
• March 23: Glasgow – SWG3 Warehouse
• March 25: Dublin – The Academy
• March 27: Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw
• March 29: Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of the Living Arts
• March 30: Washington, DC – The Atlantis
• March 31: Boston, MA – The Sinclair
• April 2: Toronto, ON – The Axis Club
• April 4: Chicago, IL – Outset
• April 5: St. Paul, MN – Amsterdam

Rebecca Black’s sophomore album Salvation releases January 17, 2025, and is available for pre-save now, featuring the infectious tracks “Sugar Water Cyanide” and “TRUST!”

Follow Rebecca Black on social media @msrebeccablack.

Photos by Chloe Catajan