Rebecca Black: What You Don't Know About the Web Sensation
Charlie who?
Orange County, Calif. eighth grader Rebecca Black bumped Charlie Sheen off the top Twitter trending topics list this week, thanks to something far more innocent than Sheen's antics: "Friday," a much-maligned, AutoTune-heavy pop song and YouTube video that has been viewed 13 million times.
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At just 13 years old, Black has been victim to some harsh musical critiques online. Even though "Friday" has gone past tracks by Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars on the iTunes Top 100 songs chart, Yahoo called it "the worst song ever" and website called it "disastrous."
"Those hurtful comments really shocked me," Black told The Daily Beast in her very first interview since becoming a viral star. "At times, it feels like I'm being cyberbullied."
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How did Black become an instant star, anyway?
According to the Daily Beast, the suburban gal took vocal lessons, performed musical theater and sang in talent shows and a patriotic singing group called Celebration USA.
According to Black's mom, Georgina Kelly, a pal told her about a small L.A. record label, Ark Music Factory. After an audition for the label, Black was invited to record a song pre-written by Ark executives; her mom then paid $2,000 to help produce the video.
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Many have blasted "Friday's" inane lyrics, like. "We so excited/We gonna have a ball today/Tomorrow is Saturday/And Sunday comes afterward."
"I didn't write it at all," Black says. "'Friday' is about hanging out with friends, having fun. I felt like it was my personality in that song."
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Says Ark Music executive Clarence Jey, who co-produced the hit: "Rebecca Black is actually [an] amazing singer [with] a unique tone and a fantastic fun person."
"I want to show people there's more to me than they think," Black exclaims.
Tell Us What You Think
17Worst song ever, Oh Beeee S. It's very catchy and she does an OK job singing. Not great, but in terms of many other pop singers out there today, she's a lot like them. She's no Christina, but again, this bull about her being the worst, is nothing more than the fears of people worrying she could be the next big thing. So they are trying to stomp it out as quickly as possible. Horrible songs don't get listened to 165 million times. It's too catchy to deserve that label. I can find far worse songs by hideous idiots on yotube, but then never get over 1000 views because no one cares. People are obviously very interested in Rebecca Black.
I am dreading Prom Night! Itâ??s ridiculous! No-one wants to hear about her!! She should just go away. I think this http:// w w w. filthynation.c om/2011/04/rebecca-black/ sums it all up quite well!, the new single, the old one, the video, everything! Rebecca Black, leave us alone!!
That's just it - we -as a society- do the rubber neck thing. We can't help but look and watch so a video like this gets rewarded and other really good music gets overlooked. I mean there are thousands of kids on YouTube with authentic performances who never get heard. check out this kid on youtube for example - input youtube address then add /watch?v=oJcjTlyIv3c Anyway -Life is crazy!
@ Patty, there were MORE than harsh words said to this girl. There were death threats coming at this girl. Okay, the song sucks, I personally don't like it. But if people don't like the song THAT much, then why is there 13 million views on video and why is it the top 100 on Itunes? Leave this girl alone, she is just 13 trying to have fun with her life.
My 8 year old loves this song........nice to have songs that kids that age can listen to and we as Parents don't have to worry about cussing and what not. Although annoying to adults....Kids like it, so for that Good Job!!
She sounds like a dying cat in the song they auto-tuned her like they wanted it to sound horrible she was good doing the national athenm but i will never get that disgusting song out of my head and shes suprised shes being bullied her mom should have stepped in but obviously their desperate for fame i mean come on!! when I first saw the video I thought it was a spoof I guess she can join Kesha and all the other auto-tuned "stars" because this song sucks
All of you people make me sick. She's 13! Anyone who actually enjoys saying hurtful things about A CHILD really and truly have problems. It's just the way things are, she should get used to hearing harsh things. I call BS. Maybe people need to learn how not to be d-bags, especially alot of people on here. Yeah. I said it. Get over it. So she made a bad song. Also, get over it. Every artist, even Beyonce (Single Ladies was a little repetitive, and definitely was NOT the BEST ever) has made bad songs. I give you virtually ever Destiny's Child song as an example. *shudder* A child should always have support for their dreams. Those who don't support them? You're jealous that it's not you. Get over yourselves.
I saw her on Inside Edition yesterday and heard her sing without the auto-tune crap, she sounds good, just the auto-tune made her sound bad. Plus the lyrics and the video is bad, she needs a better and professional management. Also people wasting time threating her need to get a life, she's 13, grow up!
If you happen to read this, Ms Black, just keep singing. Ignore these folks. They're not aware what they're saying.
What the hell? At least this young lady has the guts to go for it. Which is more than I'll say for most of you slobs. AND...have you heard her sing the national anthem? Voice of an angel, when she does. Give her a break. It might not be my taste in music, but lay off, and go stuff your faces with bon-bons.
...god....it's like when someone does something really stupid, KNOWS IT. and tries to play the pity card. really? can't you just take a hint, if you can't laugh at yourself, you'll cry anytime someone laughs at you. maybe you could be like weird al. i mean hey...the bed intruder guy wasn't trying to get famous, he thought he was serious. look at him now. turn the damn autotune off if you want to be serious, for now, make a joke of yourself. take the fame you're getting and don't complain that it's not what you wanted. you still have your contract, you now have the followers. either make another "Friday" and keep us laughing or make the next "single ladies" and watch us all die of shock, up to you Rebecca Black, play your cards wisely.
it's not THAT bad. I can see how the tweens would love it. Guarantee you she'll be the next britney spears, with the talent, hopefully not the problems
I myself think the execs at Ark MusicFactory should be taken out into the woods and SHOT for taking advantage of a naive 13 year old girl and talking her into recording their HORRIBLE poorly written song.
I think the song is great for a 13 year old with their first song out of the gate. I appreciate her looking like a teen and not dressed inappropriately with adults lyrics. It is a great song that kids will enjoy!
I've never heard anyone emphasize the "eye" in Friday quite so harshly or annoyingly. Also, you're 13. Your friends do not drive you to parties on a Friday night in a convertable. You sit at home with your girlfriends painting nails and watching Justin Beiber concerts.
You know if you are going to put yourself on the web like that, you are going to have to expect some harsh words.
This song makes "Whip My Hair" actually seem listenable.