Rebecca Renee Black (born June 21, 1997) is an American singer and songwriter. She gained extensive media coverage when the music video for her 2011 debut single "Friday" went viral on YouTube and various social media sites. The song had a polarizing reaction, as while it peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100, it was also panned by audiences and music critics, many of whom considered it "among the worst songs ever made."
Born in Anaheim Hills, California, She is the daughter of John Jeffery Black and Georgina Marquez Kelly, both veterinarians, and is of Spanish, Italian, Polish, and English descent. An honor student, Black studied dance, auditioned for school shows, attended music summer camps, and began singing publicly in 2008 after joining the patriotic group Celebration USA. She attended private school from kindergarten to 6th grade and moved to a public school due to bullying.
In late 2010, a classmate of Black and music-video client of ARK Music Factory told her about the company. Black's mother paid $4,000 for Ark Music to produce her daughter's music video while the Blacks retained ownership of the master. The single, "Friday," was co-written and produced by Clarence Jey and Patrice Wilson of ARK Music Factory. The video went viral on March 11, 2011, acquiring millions of views on YouTube in a matter of days, becoming the most talked-about topic on social networking site Twitter, and garnering mostly negative media coverage. Black began to receive death threats, specifically by phone and email.
In the years following her initial viral success, Rebecca Black has released a number of musical projects. These include multiple collaborative singles with other vocalists, notably Kurt Hugo Schneider and Dave Days. After releasing the single "The Great Divide," Black put out the 2017 EP "RE/BL" via Teall Records. Following this, Black continued to release music independently. These included "Sweetheart," "Anyway," and the double-sided single "Self Sabotage / Closer."
In February 2021, Rebecca Black released a "maximalist" hyperpop remix of Friday, celebrating the ten-year anniversary of her original viral hit. This remix featured production from Dylan Brady, as well as additional vocals from Dorian Electra, 3OH!3, and Big Freedia. Using the popularity of the remix as a springboard, Black self-released her second EP, " Rebecca Black Was Here," in June 2021, supported by the singles "Girlfriend," "Worth It For The Feeling," and "Personal."
On November 10, 2022, Black announced her debut studio album, "Let Her Burn," for release in early 2023. Four days later, she released the first single from the album, "Crumbs," accompanied by a music video. Critics praised the song, with BrooklynVegan calling it a "hypnotic electropop track." The second single, "Look at You," was released on December 7 and was also well received. On January 6, 2023, she announced that the album was scheduled for release in the following month, on February 9, 2023. Shortly after, the third and final single, "Sick to My Stomach," was debuted on January 18, 2023. BroadwayWorld noted that the diversity between the singles "showcase[d] Rebecca Black's versatility as an artist and of the project." "Let Her Burn" was released on February 9, 2023, and was thereafter described as "getting solid marks from critics and fans alike."
In December 2024, Black announced a 2025 tour in support of her next album, "Salvation," which was released on February 27, 2025. Black released the single "Trust!" on October 18, 2024, along with a music video. Speaking with Paper, she stated, "It felt only right to kick off the next project with the loudest and brashest track I've put out yet, and 'TRUST!' embodies the essence of the fearlessness in this project better than anything." "Sugar Water Cyanide" was released on December 5, 2024; Black called it "like if my drug of choice were a person" and said she wanted to "make THAT song you could only really hear on 100% volume in your car or busting through the bass in the club." The album, just like "Let Her Burn," received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, being praised for its playful and eclectic production.
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…shrink me down again