Singer and choreographer Bobby Newberry is here to chase away the summertime blues with his sunny new single, “Ride.” He describes the poppy tune as being about taking chances and chasing after life’s wildest dreams. “Sometimes it’s not about the destination but the ride you take to get there,” he explains, adding that, “There’s nothing better than crushing on someone, getting the butterflies, feeling the magic and imagining the possibilities.”
The video for the song, co-directed by Bobby and Beno Anastacio, showcases his dancing prowess in a high-energy clip that features him moving, twirling, bumping and grinding alongside an all-male cast of dancers. Bobby revealed that “The making of ‘Ride’ was high speed, very zero to a hundred. We wrote the song and worked it in the studio on the same day. After that first session, I knew I had to do a full music video.” With LA locations serving as the background, he asserts that “It is one of my favorite videos I’ve done so far. The dancing is so clean.”
Bobby also was introduced to the perils of shooting outdoors, recalling, “Much of it was done on the grass and it looks so amazing on film. What you can’t see, however, and what we didn’t know, is that Echo Park is home to hundreds of geese and ducks! We were literally dancing in bird droppings.”
Bobby says he was most nervous about the kissing scene with his love interest played by his friend Joey Gentile, and he admitted he needed two shots of tequila to loosen up for it. “It was my first time doing a scene like that! Luckily, it was the last scene we filmed that day.”
Bobby has always had a passion for performing. At his third-grade talent show, he performed Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” including the choreography from the song’s music video that he taught himself. At 14-years-old, he got a job at El Pollo Loco, a local fast food chicken restaurant, to pay for dance lessons.
His first major break in the music industry was as a choreographer for Eminem. He would go on to work with a string of the world’s top artists including Nicki Minaj, The Pussycat Dolls, Missy Elliot, and Lil’ Wayne. His choreography work has been seen on TV in Dancing With The Stars and X-Factor and many other shows.
In 2014, Bobby Newberry released his first single and music video, “Dirrty Up (featuring Jessie and The Toy Boys).” It was soon after followed by his debut EP, The Newberry Special.
“I look back at the beginning of my career and laugh at how I thought I was seasoned when I was so not,” he explains. “As an artist, you grow, and I know so much more about everything that goes into the process of creating hit records. I am finally at an authentic place where my music represents who I am. My sound is pop, for sure, but it also very diverse, with many different vibes, just like me.”
Get to know more about this triple threat, as Bobby answers the Socialite Seven
How did you develop your passion for choreography and singing?
I’ve always sang since I was a little kid in choir. It was the first thing that naturally came to me. I started dancing soon after and became obsessed. Madonna, Prince, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson and Britney Spears were some of my biggest influences.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career and why?
Michael Jackson and Madonna for sure. Their ability to perform and constantly reinvent themselves sonically, visually, and the way the choreography always matched their new energy each album cycle made such an impact for me.
Who (if anyone) would you love to collaborate with?
Doja Cat, Ariana Grande, Post Malone and Jack Harlow.
What type of music or artist that you listen to frequently do you think your fans would be surprised to learn that you’re a fan of?
I love The Neighbourhood, ever since “Sweater Weather” I’ve been so into their music.
What are you hoping to achieve with your music?
To make the world dance.
What are three things you can’t live without?
Pizza, sushi and Rosè.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
There are never any missed opportunities.
Bobby Newberry’s “Ride” is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and all digital platforms. Follow Bobby on Instagram and Twitter.
