EXCLUSIVE: FeFe Dobson Talks About Her Return

I ran in to FeFe Dobson in December of 2007. Dobson randomly appeared inside The Mall At Steamtown in downtown Scranton, an apparent guest of Drake Bell. We chatted for a few minutes (we met previously in Buffalo during the spring of ’04), and before we parted, she gave me a note to pass to Bell. Dobson also assured me that we’d be speaking again in the near future.

“You’ll be hearing new stuff from me real soon,” she revealed during our chance encounter. “Real soon.”

Perhaps it depends on your definition of “real soon” – but fast forward over two years later. Dobson is back – performing, recording on a major label, and releasing new songs for Top 40 radio. Her latest offering is “I Want You,” the first single from Joy.

“It’s full circle,” she remarked on her reunion with Island Def Jam Music Group. “I mean, (IDJMG) have been my family since I was 17, yunno? So, it’s great to be back.”

Back in 2003, Dobson released “Take Me Away,” followed by “Everything” in 2004, from her debut, self-titled LP. Both cracked the top 40 on mainstream radio airplay charts. The immediate success brought a whirlwind of media appearances, tour dates, and sales.
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Photo Credit: Vibe

Part 1: Performing at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductions, Career coming full circle

Part 2: The chance encounter at The Mall at Steamtown back in December 2007.

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Considered a future superstar by her label, Dobson ventured back in to the studio to work on her sophomore LP, Sunday Love. After the album’s first single, “Don’t Let It Go To Your Head” didn’t chart, Island dropped Dobson, just days before the scheduled release of the album.

But, still, it’s now March 2010. What has she been up to?

“I had made some music for other artists, or, had music on other artists’ albums,” said Dobson, who brought up working with Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Jordin Sparks. “That was different for me, I’ve really never done that before – had (my) songs sung by other artists. And then I was just writing, and growing up, and doing my thing, and (laughing) having experiences.”

And of course, one of those experiences led her to downtown Scranton one blustery winter day in ’07. Dobson said she came out to support Bell, who she still talks with and considers a good friend.

“He’s someone I still think is amazing and I think he’s just so talented,” Dobson gushed, while admitting she was a little embarrassed about the whole mall situation. “I can’t wait for his new record to come out.”

But in the meantime, Dobson will prepare for her own record’s release, which is dropping May 4. Real soon. For real this time.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: FeFe Dobson - 'I Want You'

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FeFe checked in to "The RRS" to chat about her return and her debut single from Joy, which hits stores on May 4.

Btw, Dear DMCA Police: I host a syndicated radio show. I have permission from IDJMG to use the single cover and make my interview available for download. The segment is called "The Daily Download" on my show, and the song is not for download. THANKS.

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: A Teacher's Dilemma

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The Wingman advises a teacher that continues to fall for her co-workers.

Visit The Wingman MySpace, Facebook, & Twitter.

1-800-WASTE-TIME-AT-WORK!

Earlier I called this number: 1-800-539-2890. I'd post the audio of what happened on-air, but I'd rather you be surprised when you call - have fun!

Recession Slang, Yo

The recession has brought our country a number of new things - and apparently new terms is one of those things. Christian Science Monitor posted 10 new terms for the new economy... here are a few of my favorites:

Funemployment, n. The practice of enjoying one's unemployment.

Intaxication, n. A sense of delight mingled with the perception of instant wealth that one feels upon receiving a tax refund.

Recessionista, n. A consumer who has historically paid big bucks to look like a million bucks and who, unwilling to quit his/her fashion habit in the face of the recession, has found alternative ways to maintain a certain standard of wardrobe.

Madoff’d, v. To get ripped off in a particularly offensive fashion.

EXCLUSIVE: Kat DeLuna Insists 'Inside Out' Will Be Released This Year

Kat DeLuna insists, Inside Out, her sophomore LP, will be released this year.

“No, no, no, not hopefully, it is!” she quickly replied, correcting my statement that she’d “hopefully” release the album later this year. “We haven’t picked the precise date yet, but looking toward around the summer.”

Some may have been wondering if DeLuna would ever release her second album: the project has gone through multiple years of work, multiple singles… even multiple record labels. The “Whine Up” singer left Epic Records in 2008 for Universal Motown. Since landing at the label, she’s collaborated with label mates Lil Wayne (“Unstoppable”) and Akon (“Push Push”).

DeLuna says the latter track is the official debut single for Inside Out. Produced by David Guetta, Kat created her own “Push Push” dance, which she already taught to Akon. The artist plans on uploading a tutorial to YouTube.

“I love to dance,” she gushed. “It’s funny, when I wake up and I’m getting ready in the morning, like I’m just dancing (while) looking at myself in the mirror.”

Dances have been a common theme in Kat’s singles. The “Whine Up” rose in popularity as the corresponding song shot up the charts. Of course, who could forget Perez Hilton dancing like a fool to “Dance Bailalo” last summer?
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Kat & Ralphie back in Summer '07

Spring '08
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Hilton, real name Mario Lavandeira, shares Latino heritage with Deluna - he’s Cuban, she’s Dominican. The celebrity blogger jumped on the bandwagon of critics in September 2008 after DeLuna received a chorus of boos following her rendition of the “The Star Spangled Banner” on "Monday Night Football." But, he loved “Dance Bailalo”, and apparently is a fan of her new work.

“He actually heard it a couple of days ago, and he said ‘Smash,’” DeLuna reported of Hilton’s reaction to the song. “He’s been a really good, amazing friend… you know, we can be friends today and I’ll still love him if tomorrow he goes on the other side.”

Hey, in entertainment, you never know – things change quickly and can turn inside out in no time. But don’t bother telling that to Kat – no pun intended – you’d be preaching to the choir.

“It’s a blessing to be able to do what you love every day,” DeLuna said. “With this second album, I’m so excited for my fans… people are going to discover me, again.”