Exclusive Interview: Rebecca Ferguson Talks ‘Heaven, Pt. II,’ Embracing Fearlessness in Life and in Her Artistry, Finding Her Voice, and More

Rebecca Ferguson has rightfully earned her place as a defining voice of her generation, consistently achieving musical brilliance with each body of work.

The latest chapter in her journey, Heaven, Pt. II, unfolds as a compelling narrative of her evolution as an independent artist, a heartfelt homage to her debut, and a vivid display of her growth as a singer-songwriter.

Pop Culturalist had the privilege of speaking with Rebecca about Heaven, Pt. II, delving into how she approaches her work and life with a newfound level of fearlessness. She shared insights into the creative process behind putting this album together as an independent artist, uncovering new aspects of her artistry and voice, and much more.

PC: It’s been twelve years since your debut album was released, and there’s been so much growth in your artistry, songwriting, and vocals. What’s played the biggest role in that development?
Rebecca: It’s been developing as a person. I’m completely comfortable with myself and who I am. I’m just more confident as a person. I’ve grown as a woman, and that naturally reflects in your music, stage persona, and everything really.

PC: Heaven, Pt. II is out now. It’s one of your best bodies of work to date. There’s such a beautiful contrast between vulnerability and strength. Was that something you were mindful of as you put this album together? Has it ever been scary to be that vulnerable in your craft?
Rebecca: With all my songs, I tend to be very vulnerable. I want to give the listener a piece of who I am. I like them to connect with what I’ve been through. Whenever I write a song, it’s always in relation to something I’m feeling at that time, so I try to make music as personal as possible.

PC: Something that I’ve always appreciated about you is you’ve used your platform to celebrate and uplift other women. Who were the women in your own life who have influenced your journey as a songwriter and artist?
Rebecca: When I was growing up, it was Cher, Whitney Houston, Kylie Minogue, Tracy Chapman, Aaliyah, SWV; it was a range of people. As I grew older, it was Aretha Franklin. She was a big influence in my teen years.

PC: It’s been seven years since you released an album. How did you know now was the right time? With this being such a personal album, what do you hope listeners take away?
Rebecca: I feel like I left my fans without new music for too long. I ended up putting a date in my diary for the fifth of December. I was like, “That’s the day that the album is coming out.” I set that date because I knew once I set it, I couldn’t break it. I knew once I told my fans that was the date that was what it was going to be.

I’m releasing it on a Tuesday. I’m not sure how it works in the States, but in the UK, you have to release it on a Friday or you won’t chart. Everyone was saying to me, “Rebecca, what are you doing? Why are you releasing it on a Tuesday?” I was like, “No, this is the date. It’s in honor of my first album. It’s twelve years to the day since that was released. Even if everyone was like, ‘That’s stupid, you’re not going to chart at all.’ It doesn’t matter. This date means something to me and this is what’s happening. I’m excited but very nervous at the same time.

PC: You paint such vivid tapestries with your songwriting. Do you have a favorite lyric off of the album?
Rebecca: The one that’s got everyone really stoked is a lyric in “Found My Voice.” I say, “In this game of Simon Says.” That’s the one that everyone keeps picking up on in the press, but I wouldn’t say that’s my favorite lyric.

In the song “Hollywood,” I talk about the dark side of fame. When I wrote “Hollywood,” it was about how fame can consume, and not always in a good way, but instead in a really negative way. There’s a line, “I worship it. It rules me. I die for it if it chooses me.” The lyrics are all about how fame can really suck people in and not in a positive way. I’ve had a lot of fun with the “Hollywood” track, and it seems to be a favorite. Everyone keeps saying that it needs to be on the James Bond soundtrack, which I’d love for that to happen. That’d be so cool.

PC: This is also your first independent release. How did that creative freedom allow you to discover a new aspect of your voice and craft and allow you to explore?
Rebecca: It’s been amazing. It’s so great that I own the masters to all these songs. I’m getting to see how everything works because I entered the industry in a very different way than a lot of people. It’s been really cool that I’ve gotten to do it all from scratch and really organically. I’m getting to see how it all works. I’m having direct conversations with DSPs like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. I never had that power before. I’ve never had that creative control before. I’ve never been in that position, so it feels really good. I’m really enjoying it. I’m enjoying that I’m able to control my control 100% completely.

PC: Beautifully said. There’s definitely an upside to having a major label backing your album, but often you’ll hear from artists about the creative differences. Is there a song that made Heaven, Pt. II that you would have had to fight for in another situation?
Rebecca: There is definitely an upside to working with a major label. I would say it’s “Run Rebecca.” I think “Run Rebecca” would have been instantly taken off for me. For me, I started thinking about this song years ago. At first, it was just a verse and a beat, and it didn’t have my part on it. I was like, “I love this beat. I love it.” I turned to the producer and I was like, “Can I have this?” So I’ve had it for a few years. I kept trying to write to it. There were points where I was like, “No, this just isn’t me.” But I’m so glad I stuck with it. It’s a bit of fun, and that’s what music should be. It should be light, fun, experimental, and creative. That’s what I’m enjoying most about this album. I’m at this place where I’m not saying, “Well, that’s not a Rebecca album.” A Rebecca album can be whatever I want it to be. I just want to have fun making different sounds. But yeah, that song would have definitely been axed. [laughs]

PC: If you had to pick a song that best encompasses who you are as an artist at this moment, which would it be and why?
Rebecca: I would say “Found My Voice.” That’s a song for anyone who needs to speak up and speak the truth. “Found My Voice” is the place where I am in my life. I feel so free. It’s hard to describe. I feel like I’m living without fear for the first time in many years where I’m completely truthful about everything, even if it comes at my detriment. I’m like, “This is the truth.” I’m just really open and truthful. When I’m doing interviews, I’m not softening things because I’m worried about how they’ll land. That’s not the place I’m at anymore. This is the truth. I’m going to honor the truth always. I’m not going to soften things or make them sound better for anyone. I’m going to tell the complete truth. When you get to that place, happiness follows.

PC: That’s such an empowering message for everyone. I imagine as a songwriter, you’re always writing and itching to release music. With this being a seven-year hiatus, is there a song that’s taken a new light ahead of this release?
Rebecca: I would say “You Don’t Have to Leave,” which is actually my favorite song on the album. I put it as track ten because I wasn’t sure how the fans would take to it. It’s the weirdest thing because whenever I go online and I do listening parties, everyone just loves it. But I didn’t know how it would be received. I absolutely love that song. When I listen back to it, I sounded really sad because that’s how the lyrics are. I re-recorded it and it didn’t sound as sad because I wasn’t in that place. Then I recorded it again and we added fun bits and things in the breakdown. That’s a song that took a completely different turn from me where it went from being a sad song to one that you’d like to dance to at a festival.

PC: You shared a beautiful post on social media that your daughter is following in your footsteps. What advice have you given her as she’s embarked on this journey?
Rebecca: My advice has always been to stay true to yourself. Remain independent as an artist. Build your following online. Integrity is everything. Listen to your instinct. And stay close to mom because she’s been through it. [laughs] I’m looking through everything with a fine-tooth comb if my daughter goes ahead and pursues a career in this industry.

PC: You’re heading back on the road to support the album in 2024. What can fans expect from your show? When can we expect some U.S. dates?
Rebecca: I’m so keen and so eager to come back to the States. The last time that I came to the States was for a mini tour, and it went really well. I’ve never been back, but I’m keen on it. It depends on how the album goes. I’m hoping it’ll hit stateside and people will love it. Then I’ll get a chance to come and see the fans here. The last time I was asked to go on the Jimmy Fallon show and for whatever reason I couldn’t get over there. Hopefully, he invites me over again and I can see everyone.

To keep up with Rebecca, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music. Listen to Heaven, Pt. II today.

Photo Credit: Jason Bell