She's all we wanna be!
Tate McRae is the hottest up-and-coming singer in pop music. With a slew of hits now under her belt, the powerhouse is quickly becoming one of the biggest female artists this decade and her star is only on the rise.
Her latest project So Close to What just dropped last Friday and it's already receiving critical acclaim worldwide. Although her popular songs such as "greedy," "Sports car," "exes," "It's ok I'm ok," and more have taken over the charts the past few years, McRae's success didn't just happen overnight.
OG fans remember McRae's humble beginnings when she came in third place on So You Think You Can Dance back in 2016 at only 13 years old. Four years later, the star's music career started taking off with "you broke me first" becoming an international hit and her first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
Fast forward to today, the talented entertainer has released three albums and she's gearing up for her global Miss Possessive Tour that'll have her headlining at various arenas across the globe. She's certainly come a long way from performing at gay clubs in the early days of her career.
McRae may be a supernova at only 21 years old, but she's staying true to her roots by surrounding herself with a queer support system and releasing music that resonates with who she truly is. Scroll below to read PRIDE's interview with Tate McRae on her new album So Close to What and why she considers her gay fans to be her best fans.
PRIDE: Congratulations on your third album! So Close to What has a little bit of everything, but how would you describe your latest project? For me, it's giving liberation, sexy, and so hot!
Tate McRae: I like that! I'd definitely say liberation, feminine, bold, and maybe a little sexy. I would say there's some sensual movement sprinkled throughout this campaign. I feel like the visuals have been the most exciting part for me. It's been a dream!
It's been a dream for us to watch! I'm obsessed with all of the singles and music videos this era.
We were so excited! My music taste is very diverse. One day I can write a folk song and another day I can write about a sports car. It really depends on my mood. I don't want to do just one thing. I want to be versatile and I want to be able to sit down in my show and talk directly to my fans, then I want to be able to dance and feel sexy.
I'm so glad you're touching on the sexy themes in your new music! Why was it important for you to channel that sexy energy and empowerment on this album?
I think I was honestly envisioning myself going on tour again. These new songs are the ones I want to feel on stage. Ever since I started touring, I think about that every time I write.
It's safe to say this upcoming tour is going to be iconic.
You are going to get a show! I will not go easy on the audience. I do the most at all times! The stories this year mean so much more to me than they have before. They're really f***ing personal and it makes for a better performance. We're in the process of creating the show right now. It's going to be crazy!
Your journey as an entertainer has been such a joy to watch. How much fun are you having merging your passions in dance and music into one career?
It finally feels like I can be myself again. I trained in dance my whole life and then I lost it for five years. When I was 20, I was just like, 'F*** this!' I've trained for a reason. My dancing is from my soul. I can't just cut that part of me off. It's been so rejuvenating getting to bring it back into my art. I feel like myself again.
That's what it's all about! Your music is clearly coming from a place of authenticity and it's really landing with your fans.
Honestly, I'm living the dream. I feel so lucky and blessed. It's everything I've ever wanted to do.
I know all of your fans are really enjoying your rise to fame, but there's nobody who loves you more than your LGBTQ+ fans!
Of course! They're my favorite. No one beats them. Nobody is better than them. My whole team is gay! That's the only opinion I really want when I'm releasing music. I feel lucky that I have their opinion. We want to do the most and push the boundaries, but it's also the most brutally honest advice.
Yes! Not only do the gays keep it real, but they also bring the best energy to your shows. I know you felt the love when you performed at G-A-Y & Heaven Nightclub in London back in 2023!
That was one of my favorite performances ever! I ditched the mic and just started dancing. There was only like 150 people in the room and it was some of the craziest, loudest energy I've ever felt. I just wanted to whip my hair, do a kick, and leave! That's all I wanted to do.
You've evolved so much over the past couple of years. Now, you're going to be performing in front of thousands of people nearly every night on your upcoming Miss Possessive Tour. That's pretty surreal!
It's so crazy! I can't believe this is my job. Four years ago, I played my first ever show at The Moroccan Lounge in front of 100 people in LA. It was the size of a shoebox, like it's so small. I could see my grandma, my mom, and everybody that I knew. Now, we're performing three nights at the Kia Forum. It's the biggest dream of my life. It's insane!
It's amazing seeing your dreams come true, but I'm dying to know what you're manifesting and what you'd love to do next.
I always have things that I'm setting my sights on. I'm a very goal-driven person. Sometimes, I think I'm a little clairvoyant. I'm really good at manifesting! I would die to perform at the VMA's. That's something I've watched all my idols do for so many years. For some reason, that specific performance is something I've always wanted. My ideal performance is a perfect balance of dance, outfit, singing, and musical arrangement. When they're all balanced perfectly, that's my ideal performance.
What about collaborations? Would you like to hit the studio with any of your idols?
My dream is to write with SZA. She's one of the coolest and best writers ever. I love her. I think it'd be a mix of pop and R&B. I'd let her take the charge! I just want to always keep pushing my comfort zone. I never want to recycle and do the same things. As an artist, I want to be uncomfortable and shock myself sometimes.
Let's manifest it now! Before I let you go, I'd love to see if you had any message you'd love to send to your dedicated LGBTQ+ fans?
I love you guys so much. Y'all are my number ones. You know that as much as you guys ride for me, I ride for you. I feel very grateful to have you guys in my life and surrounding me.
So Close to What is available everywhere now.
