Ricky Rebel

Ricky Rebel
Background information
Birth name Ricky Godinez
Also known as Ricky Godinez, Ricky G, Ricky Harlow
Born (1980-12-02) December 2, 1980
Origin Upland, California
Genres
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, Recording artist, dancer
Years active 1995-present
Associated acts No Authority, Britney Spears, Rodney Jerkins, Destiny's Child, Jessica Simpson, 98 Degrees
Website rickyrebelrocks.com

Ricky Godinez, known by his stage name Ricky Rebel (born December 2, 1980), is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, musician, and recording artist. Ricky is a vocal advocate for LGBT rights.

Early life

Ricky was born in Upland, California. He began training as a gymnast at the age of 7 years old, and ranked 15th in the state of California at the age of 11. Ricky began training in classical ballet and jazz dance styles around the age of 11. Ricky immediately entered dance competitions at the regional and national level. After some years of competitive dancing Ricky then began acting, and performed in musicals like Annie (1991), Oliver (1992), and Phantom (1994).

In Los Angeles, he began training with vocal coaches Eric Vetro, Seth Riggs, and Mara Buyugalova and choreographers like Marguerite Derricks.[1] Debbie Allen then cast Ricky in the lead role of Pepito's Story, which debuted at the Kennedy Center.[2]

Career

1996–2002

In 1996, Ricky started working with the band No Authority as their lead vocalist.[3] No Authority was discovered by an A&R representative from Sony Records, and subsequently was signed to Michael Jackson's label MJJ Music, a custom label at Sony.[4]

In 1997, No Authority released their first album “Keep On”, produced by Rodney Jerkins. The single "Girlfriend" appeared on the Trippin' original soundtrack.[5] No Authority toured Europe twice during this time and opened for Aaron Carter on the Kids Go Music Festival. The group also traveled to Canada to perform on the YTV Psyko Blast concert. In 1999, Ricky was featured in the Pepsi "Joy of Cola" commercial starring Aretha Franklin.[3]

After A&R representatives obtained a copy of No Authority's second album the group was later signed to Madonna's label Maverick Records.[6] While signed to Maverick Records the group released their first single "What I Wanna Do" produced by Herbie Crichlow from their self-titled album "No Authority." The next single "Can I Get Your Number (A Girl Like You)," charted at number 18 on the Billboard Charts[7] and their third single "I'm Telling You This" was used in the movie Rugrats in Paris, which became a gold certified record.[8] The group toured and performed with Britney Spears Destiny's Child,[9] 98 Degrees, Jessica Simpson,[10] and the All That! Music and More Festival,[11] after appearing in an episode of the Nickelodeon show All That!.[11]

2003–2010

During the period between leaving No Authority and the beginning of his new identity as Ricky Rebel, Ricky continued to perform on stage in shows like and Aida. Ricky became known as "Ricky Harlow" in 2004 when he assumed the role of lead vocalist for the band Harlow.[12][13] While working with Harlow, Ricky produced an album with Jay Baumgardner. After performing around Southern California with Harlow the group disbanded in 2009 when Ricky encountered strong censorship from his manager/producer, and from the recording industry in general, about Ricky's desire to be an openly gay musician, and yearning to produce his own brand of dance pop music even since his days in No Authority.[14]

In 2010, Ricky was cast in two of My Chemical Romance's official music videos "Na Na Na" and "Sing" where he played an androgynous rollerskating character named "Show Pony". He opened for My Chemical Romance for their cd release party at the House of Blues in Hollywood.[3]

2010–Present

Since 2010 Ricky Rebel has been performing as a solo artist. Ricky made a guest appearance on VH1's Audrina in 2011.[15]

In 2012 Ricky Rebel won the RAWards Musician of Year Award,[16] where he debuted his first big single "Geisha Dance." Also in 2012 Ricky released his first album "Manipulator."

In 2014, Ricky collaborated with Claudio Cueni and released his second EP the Blue Album.[4] Since 2014 Ricky has been a regular contributor to US Weekly's "Fashion Police" spread.[17]

In 2015, he appeared on the Fox 5 San Diego to perform his new single "Star" from his album "The Blue Album." [18][19] In late 2015 Ricky Rebel secured a sponsorship agreement with the cosmetics company "Mustaev USA",[20] and subsequently produced the music video for his most recent single "Boys and Sometimes Girls" directed by Rock Jacobs.[21][22]

As part of his commitment to advancing gay rights in the United States Ricky performed at the 2014, 2015 and 2016 "Out At The Fair" festivals at The San Diego County Fair.[23] Ricky also performed at Gay Pride festivals in major cities like Phoenix, Long Beach, Orange County,[4] Palm Springs, San Diego,[23] and Las Vegas. Also, in 2015 Ricky Rebel performed at Matinee festivals in Las Vegas [19] and San Diego.

He performed at the 2016 "Get Out! Awards" in New York City.[24] Later in 2016 Ricky Rebel toured with boy-band O-Town.[25] Since 2015 Ricky has been working with DJ's Hector Fonseca, Casey Alva, and Tommy Love[19] to remix his songs "Star" and "Boys and Sometimes Girls."

In 2017, "Boys & Sometimes Girls" spent 9 weeks on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and peaked at #28.[26] Ricky Rebel performed at the 2017 SXSW (South by Southwest) Festival in Austin, Texas.[20] Ricky also performed at a charity event at the Cannes Film Festival.[27]

Discography

Album NameRelease DateSingles
Manipulator2012Manipulator, Geisha Dance
The Blue Album2014Star, Boys & Sometimes Girls
Star (Remixes)2015Star (Remixes)
Boys & Sometimes Girls (Remixes)2016Boys & Sometimes Girls (Remixes)
The New Alpha2017Time, If You Were My Baby

References

  1. ↑ "Ricky Rebel: an S-T-A-R doing it his way". Rock At Night. 17 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "Get Your Dance on with Ricky Rebel's "Star"". SpaceGypsies. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 Bain, Katie (22 February 2016). "How Ricky Rebel Went From Closeted Boy Band Singer to Glammed-Up Gay Pop Star". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 Paul, George (26 June 2016). "'Be out, brave and proud,' crowd hears at pride fest". Orange County Register. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  5. ↑ "Trippin' [Original Soundtrack]". AllMusic.
  6. ↑ ""THE BLUE ALBUM" and Other Stories – An Interview with RICKY REBEL".
  7. ↑ (2000). Billboard’s Heatseekers Album Chart. White, T. (Ed). Billboard Magazine, 112, (32)
  8. ↑ Pesselnick, J. (2001). AC/DC Ranks No.5 In Certifications; Garth Has Best-Selling Live Set. Billboard Magazine, 113 (6)
  9. ↑ (1997). Industry Caught On Film At The Billboard Music Video Awards. White, T. (Ed). Billboard Magazine, 109 (51)
  10. ↑ "Jessica Simpson, No Authority To Take "Tour For A Cure"". MTV.
  11. 1 2 "98 Degrees Ready To Get Big With "All That" Tour". MTV.
  12. ↑ Hammel, Sara (24 July 2009). "INSIDE STORY: Michael Jackson's Young Protegé". People.com. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  13. ↑ "'Little Michael' - 'love child' was like son, but not blood, says pal". NY Daily News. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  14. ↑ Nichols, Larry. "Rebellious: Ricky Rebel to rock anti-bullying pop tour". Philadelphia Gay News. Philadelphia Gay New. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  15. ↑ Dawson, Mark (9 December 2016). "Glam Rocker Ricky Rebel Performs His Sexual Liberation Anthem In Miami". Patch.com. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  16. ↑ Cassell, Jacqueline. "Rising Artist: Ricky Rebel". Entertwine. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  17. ↑ Shapiro, Eileen. "Ricky Rebel's Debut NYC Appearance". Get Out! Magazine. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  18. ↑ "Ricky Rebel". Fox 5 San Diego. 12 June 2015.
  19. 1 2 3 "RICKY REBEL SINGS". Rage Monthly Magazine.
  20. 1 2 Podell, Michael (15 February 2017). "The Evolution of Ricky Rebel: From 90's Boy Band Star to Bisexual Glam Rocker".
  21. ↑ Papadatos, Markos (25 October 2016). "Review: Ricky Rebel back with new 'Boys and Sometimes Girls' music video". Digital Journal. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  22. ↑ Robertson, Julia Diana (21 September 2017). "A Bisexual Awareness Week Dish: Ricky Rebel à la Mode". Huffington Post. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  23. 1 2 Rawles, Timothy (9 June 2017). "Ricky Rebel back in San Diego for two shows". San Diego Gay and Lesbian News. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  24. ↑ Shapiro, Eileen. "Ricky Rebel: "All the Way From LA to Perform at The Get Out Awards"". Get Out! Magazine. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  25. ↑ "O-Town and Ricky Rebel". San Diego Reader. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  26. ↑ "Dance Songs: Top Dance Music Chart". Billboard.com.
  27. ↑ "Glam Rocker Ricky Rebel Performs His New Single "If You Were My Baby" At Cannes Film Festival". Patch.com. 28 April 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
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