Rebecca Black was here in June, ten years since she became a viral sensation at the age of 13. The album features tracks that are unlike anything Black has ever released, and it explores hyperpop territory among other genres. Rebecca Black Was Here is a confident, witty artist. She takes listeners through her past relationships, culminating in Girlfriend, a catchy song about her desire to be together again with her ex-partner. The album made Black a queer icon, allowing her to embrace her quirky beginnings and gaining a new career. We had ice cream with Black during Pride weekend to discuss being in control of the narrative, the new era and her upcoming tour.The A.V. Club: Rebecca Black Was There marks a major shift in your music. What was it that made you want to enter the hyperpop world?AdvertisementRebecca Black: It felt natural. Since I don't even remember four or five years ago, I have been writing music continuously. I just keep trying to figure out what feels right, what I like, and what makes sense. It felt like my sound, my song and all that. Robyn, Madonna and Grimes have always inspired me. I'm sure that my song will continue to inspire me. I don't know if I would call myself a hyperpop musician. Pop is something I love and I will continue to try to make pop more than what people think it should be.AVC: Rebecca Black Was Here was not an EP. It is a project. What's the deal?RB: I didn't know what it would become. Given how many more things I had planned for this year, it was always an evolving project. This is what made sense. This collection of six songs was what I wanted to make into a single album. There is always more. I want to make a full length album, and I'm going to start that right now.AVC: How long did it take to write the project's proposal?AdvertisementRB: It was written in March 2020. In 2017, I released only one more book. Since then, I've been trying to do something since. I was just waiting for the right time.AVC: It was like you disappeared for a while before you resurfaced with a new era.RB: I've been there. That's probably why the project is called that. It takes time. It took me a while to get it right. People who have something that attracts that much attention would work for years. As a child, I did one thing that wasn't supposed to be. I have been trying to find the artist I want to become since then. Sometimes it takes time. I spent a lot time trying to find it over the past few years.AdvertisementAVC: It seems like you have finally taken control of the music you want to create, and the results are gaining critical acclaim. It must be very satisfying.RB: Yes. This is what I was most excited about for this project as well as this particular part of my life. This was something that I struggled with. It is something I feel now. That's what makes me believe in the project more. It was a difficult task, but I have the vision.AVC: Rebecca Black Was Here feels more like an introduction to you than it does to the world's perception of you during Friday days.RB: It felt like I was constantly asking myself what I would do if I had the chance. And then, I realized that it was up to me. This project is about being able hone those skills. This is clearly an important aspect of any artist project. Understanding what you want and how to do it, and being aware of the people involved in it are all essential. Without collaboration, this project would not be possible. These songs are so resonant with me that I can look at them and say "Yes, this is a very resonant time in my life" which I will always remember.AdvertisementAVC: Do You think Friday is holding you back from making music the way you want?RB: Without that song, I don't know where I'd be. It was my insecurities, I believe, that kept me from moving forward. Those were certainly a result of Friday. I believe I was getting in my own path with the conversations I had about music with other people. That was the biggest hindrance.AVC: It was shocking to learn that you were so bullied for making such a simple music video. As a teenager, I was a little jealous of your freedom to create your own music videos as something to do with my friends.RB: It was terrible. I tried to comment on that, hoping that it would help to be transparent. It was hard to be young and have so many people make so much of you. It was hard. It was difficult. Looking back, it is clear that I see this a lot more now than I did when I was going through it.AdvertisementAVC: You weren't making music between Friday and your single releases. What were you doing in that time? Did you continue to write music, even though it was not recorded?RB: Because I wasn't sure what I was going to do, I was just thinking about it. And I was scared at the thought that I wouldn't know what I was doing. However, I was trying to be 16-, 17 year-olds, 18-year olds, and 19-year old. I was also trying to write. I wanted to write, write, write until I found a place that I was confident about the work I was doing. For the first few years I was even out here in L.A., I didn't feel able to do this. Things changed with the passage of time.AVC: Unfortunately, there are not many pop songs about women singing about their relationships. Your project focusing on a queer relationship will make a lot of young women feel more visible. You must feel a lot of impact by playing this role for queer fans.AdvertisementRB: There is a lot to be represented. Although I am unable to provide a specific experience, I'm happy to share it. It makes it easier to write, as its authentic. It's the most satisfying part of music when you create something that is true to yourself. It is amazing to me how many people in my community are queer. I also see them on the internet talking about the need for more representation. I agree. I want to encourage queer artists and people who make queer art.AVC: Rebecca Black Was Here is like a chapter of a love story, with its ups and falls. Although it is a record about a breakup, it captures the details of looking back at the positive parts of that relationship.RB: Breakups can be very complicated. You don't often feel angry at someone or happy for them after a breakup. Many of those songs, such as Not Gonna Lie and Personal as well as Blue, speak about the interconnectedness between loving someone and wanting them happy. They also want them to move on. You can also learn how to deal with their upset and move on. It's not always easy.AdvertisementAVC: Your writing skills are exceptional in relation to relationship dynamics. Are you planning to expand on that topic in your next project, too?RB: Just a little. I began to expand the scope of my writing. Although I don't usually write about romance, I don't intend to make only love songs or breakup songs. I enjoy talking more about my mental health and my internet use, as well as my experiences with the internet and what it is like as a young person and someone who uses the internet all the time. There are still many breakup songs in the universe, but I have a lot to share about it.AVC: Did you write any songs while working on this project?RB: There are so many. They might make it, but at least 50 songs must have been written together. Many of these songs are simply ideas that can be improved upon and then turned into another song.AdvertisementAVC: You're also planning your first major tour next summer. What are you planning for it?RB: It's my goal to make it a success. It's still six months away, but we are working hard to get it together. It's my first headline show. All the bells and whistles I desire. It's so exciting to share all these songs on stage.
