–196 Vodka Seltzer transformed a New York City venue into a Tokyo-style convenience store pop-up with help from Rebecca Black, marking yet a buzzy moment for the rising star ahead of new music.
Billboard attended the event, dubbed Konbini Backroom, on Thursday night, March 27, where we spoke with the pop star-turned-DJ about her partnership with the fruit-flavored vodka seltzer brand. “I am so excited to be a part of this event because it’s bringing the nightlife of Tokyo and kobini culture to New York,” she said prior to her set. “It’s really a once in a lifetime moment right here in New York.”
Ari Weiss
Black’s DJ set at the Lower East Side gallery space played into the idea of discovering something exciting in a familiar place. Fans walked into what appeared as a Japanese-style kobini, only to make their way through a speakeasy-style walkway to a secret dance party. The self-made star explained that she also plays into the element of surprise when it comes to her sets. “I always want a track in there that people won’t be expecting to hear that night, she said. “But one that’ll bring so much joy and surprise that they did, whether it’s some deranged ‘Crazy Frog’ reggaeton mix or a ‘Friday’ mashup or anything else I come across.”
Next up for Black is the follow-up to her 2025 album, SALVATION, a new chapter of music she has been teasing to her 1.1 million followers on Instagram. She also has upcoming performances slated for Diplo’s HonkyTonk at Stagecoach and Beyond Wonderland in the coming months. The music was created while she was on and off the road during her SALVATION TOUR.
“It’s been so fulfilling to intertwine my world of dance into what I do more and more, and see the songs that were already going down that path be the ones to connect with my audience the most,” the star said of her sonic trajectory. “’Sugar Water Cyanide’ was by far the heaviest track off my last project, and seeing it become the one everyone knows was so validating to begin creating from again. This new music is heavier, harder, faster and louder than anything I’ve made before.”
Black’s appearance comes on the heels of the 15-year anniversary of her surprise viral breakout, “Friday.” While her early social media virality will always be a part of her story, she’s come a long way since surviving the internet in 2011 with the single. After all, you don’t go from a song like “Friday” to the Boiler Room stage and a spot on Forbes’ 2026 30 Under 30 Music list for nothing.
Ari Weiss
Ari Weiss
Ari Weiss
