Diversity Rules Magazine

20 Diversity Rules Magazine December 2017 Glam rock- er Ricky Rebel rede- fines what it means to be a man while exploring the themes of Power, S e x , Vanity, and Love in e New Alpha, his third studio album. Self pro- duced, the album is a sharp departure from his last LP, e Blue Album, that he admits writing during a low period in his life. Where Blue was a dark moon, e New Alpha is a bright sun, with a more powerful trib- alistic sound that is meant to reflect both Rebel's op- timistic state of mind as well as the emboldened state of the USA. "e era of Political correctness is over," proclaims Ricky Rebel. "Some people today need to toughen up and stop playing the victim." He urges fans to balance their feminine and masculine sides and remain sensitive to the views of others while also re- maining firm in their own. Ricky Rebel's e New Alpha is available now on iTunes and all major online retailers, along with its second single release, "Time". "My views are not defined by party lines," continues Rebel from his Los Angeles home. "I am a centrist who goes left and right depending on the issues. I am in the middle. A difficult place to be. It's the same with my identity. I am proud to be a man who happens to love makeup and women's clothing. What is women's clothing anyway? What is gender? I am both mascu- line and feminine." Along with the album, Ricky Rebel is releasing the rock ballad, "Time," and its music video. In the song, he sings how time is a precious commodity that shouldn't be wasted on arguing and fighting with each other. "It was important for me to include 'Time' on the new album because being a true Alpha means having the strength to express feelings of fear, regret, and sadness," he continues. He also reveals the song was inspired by a horrific car accident he was in as a child. "I nearly lost my mother in the accident. It's my first memory. I learned the les- son early on that what you love can be taken away from you in an instant." Ricky Rebel burst on the music scene in 1997 as the lead vocalist of the boy-band No Authority. Signed by Michael Jackson to Michael's MJJ Music label at Sony, he toured with 98 Degrees, Destiny's Child, Aaron Carter, and Ashlee and Jessica Simpson. In 2000, the band moved to Madonna's Maverick label where they toured with Britney Spears and released their Billboard Top 40 chart hit, "Can I Get Your Number." Another No Authority song, "I'm Telling You is," appears on the Rugrats in Paris soundtrack. In 2004, No Authority broke up and Ricky became Redefining Masculinity Glam rocker Ricky Rebel redefines what it means to be a man By Larry Olsen Photo Credit: Susy Miller

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