UPDATE: Los Angeles-based artist blackbear is set to release his new single, “Britney in ’07,” at midnight ET tonight, marking a poignant tribute to Britney Spears and her tumultuous 2007 era. The song draws inspiration from Spears’ highly publicized breakdowns, resonating deeply with fans who still find her struggles relatable.
In an exclusive preview shared with Page Six, blackbear expressed that the track is not a mockery, but rather a “universal cultural symbol” that reflects resilience amid chaos. He stated, “Everyone has seen the iconic picture of Britney bald with the umbrella in her hand and has been like, ‘Yeah, I feel that.’ Britney has shaped culture… and still does.”
The track dives into the pressures of fame, echoing sentiments that many artists face today. “How Miley [Cyrus] felt while everyone was giving her s–t during the ‘Wrecking Ball’ era,” blackbear elaborated. “You’re out here doing your best, but you feel like s–t regardless — and everyone’s judging you without having the whole story.”
Originally written during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, blackbear withheld the song’s release, believing the feeling of unrest would pass. However, he later recognized that these feelings persist. “I ultimately didn’t put it out because I thought that time [and] general unrest was fleeting. Turns out, we’re still feeling that way five years out,” he noted.
The song opens with the lines, “I feel like Britney in ’07, you about to catch these hands / going through some shit, it seems like no one understands.” Lyrics also touch on the struggle for mental health, stating, “What’s wrong with me, I’m not OK / but if Britney could survive ’07, you could do today.”
In 2007, Britney Spears faced significant personal challenges following her divorce from Kevin Federline, custody battles for her two sons, and the loss of her beloved aunt. These struggles led to her being placed under a controversial conservatorship in 2008, a situation she publicly criticized over the years.
The conservatorship was dissolved in November 2021 after intense public scrutiny and support from the #FreeBritney movement. In her 2023 memoir, The Woman in Me, Spears reflected on her difficult past, saying, “With my head shaved, everyone was scared of me… I lost it, over and over again.”
Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of “Britney in ’07,” which will be featured on blackbear’s upcoming album, analogue dream, his first in over three years. As the clock counts down to midnight, anticipation builds for what promises to be a resonant anthem for many navigating their own struggles today.
Stay tuned for the release of “Britney in ’07” and the discussions that will surely follow. This is not just a song; it’s a cultural moment connecting the past and the present.
