EXCLUSIVE: Matisyahu In Studio!

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After calling in last week, Matisyahu stopped by "The Ralphie Radio Show" to perform a drumless version of the track, "One Day". The remix, featuring Akon, will be showcased by NBC during the 2010 Winter Olympics, which kick off February 12. Matis chatted about his back and forth with Akon for the record, as well as his religion... you may learn something you never knew by listening to this interview!

The remix is available as a bonus track when Light is purchased on iTunes.

TMZ'S DAX: Dr. Conrad Murray To Face The Music Friday

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TMZ's Dax says on "The Ralphie Radio Show" that the investigation in to Dr. Conrad Murray's involvement in the death of Michael Jackson could culminate on Friday with Dr. Murray turning himself in to authorities.

UPDATE: Dr. Murray will turn himself in on Monday.
Catch Dax on TMZ TV, local listings here.

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: 1, 2, 3?

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The Wingman advises a woman on whether she should go forth with her boyfriend's fantasy, despite her hesitation...

Visit The Wingman on MySpace, Facebook, & Twitter.

The Most Unique Defense Used In A Prostitution Case...

Remember the Philadelphia Phillies fan who posted a Craigslist ad last October offering, well, "services", in exchange for World Series tickets? William J. Brennan, the attorney for Susan Finkelstein, used quite the defense while attempting to protect his client in court last Friday.

What exactly did he say? I'd rather not repear... click here for more.

7 Romantic Hot Spots To Avoid On Valentine’s Day

I don't reccomend locking yourself bedside til the 15th, but if you'd like to be humored...

Movie Theaters
Fancy Restaurants
Landmarks
Beaches
Cafés, Dessert Bars, And Chocolate Shops
Lingerie Stores
Coupled Friends’ Homes

Read more here.

EXCLUSIVE: Snooki Snags $5K For About 15 Minutes

The self-proclaimed “Princess of Poughkeepsie” extended her reign upstate over the weekend. Nicole Polizzi, better known as “Snooki” from MTV’s “Jersey Shore”, snagged just under $10,000 for two club appearances on Thursday and Friday in Western New York.

According to three different sources, speaking to “The Ralphie Radio Show” on the condition of anonymity, Snooki appeared early Friday morning at Whiskey River, a night club in Niagara Falls, NY. Patrons were charged up to $25 at the door for admission. The reality show star didn’t arrive until approximately 1:30 a.m., only showing face to the crowd for around 15 minutes. The appearance made her $5,000 richer.

Bars close in Niagara Falls at 2 a.m. on Thursday. Earlier in the evening, Snooki made a guest appearance at a teen night in nearby Rochester. The promoter, who was in charge of making sure Polizzi made the hour and a half commute, blamed the tardiness on inclimate weather.

The following night, Snooki hosted a party at Pure Nightclub, located in downtown Buffalo. Polizzi danced with friends and hosted a “best abs” contest. Although her appearance lasted about two hours, Snooki stayed at the nightclub until 4 a.m., which is last call in Buffalo, dancing and drinking with friends in a V.I.P. area.

Snooki flew cross country later that morning, arriving in Los Angeles to co-host MTV’s red carpet coverage of The Grammy's on Sunday.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Vita Chambers - 'Young Money'

Universal Motown/SRP Recording Artist Vita Chambers swung through The RRS to talk about her Thanksgiving Day performance to celebrate 50 years of Motown, as well as her new track, "Young Money", which is available now on iTunes.

Part 1: Barbados, Thanksgiving Performance


Part 2: "Young Money"

TMZ'S DAX: 'Jersey Shore' Cast Starting to Fold

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TMZ's Dax tells The RRS that at least two cast members from season one of MTV's "Jersey Shore" will return.

Read more here.
Catch Dax on TMZ TV, local listings here.

EXCLUSIVE: Janet Jackson Signs Off On Iyaz's "Solo"

At around 9 p.m. on Tuesday - Warner Brothers/Reprise Records received the green light from Janet Jackson to move forward on the release of the next Iyaz single, a sure-to-be-hit ballad entitled, "Solo."

The song samples Jackson's 1993 number 1 smash, "Again." According to a source at WB Records, Jackson gave her blessing to the track, and even complimented Iyaz on it, noting that she is a fan of the song.

The single is Iyaz's follow-up to his own number 1 hit, "Replay", in which he crooned about being stuck on a girl by using the metaphor that his iPod was stuck on, you guessed it, replay.

Most Prevalent Phobias of 2010

Not trying to scare ya, but MSN compiled a list of 9 top phobias for 2010... new year, new fear?

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: The Approach

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The Wingman advises on approaching a group of women at a club...



Visit The Wingman MySpace, Facebook, & Twitter.

EXCLUSIVE: Matisyahu On The Winter Olympics, Akon, And Autotune

Matisyahu grew up playing hockey and cheering on the New York Rangers in White Plains, NY. Little did Matthew Miller know that he would eventually call the theme to a Winter Olympics a song of his own. “One Day” is a track off of his 2009 LP, Light. Now, a remix with rapper Akon will be featured by NBC throughout the 2010 Winter Olympics – which kick off February 12.

“There’s been an offer out from the Canadian (hockey) team,” joked Matisyahu, who called “The Ralphie Radio Show to chat about the track. “I’m trying to decide if I can do it to America.”

Kidding aside, the Hasidic Jewish emcee will be rooting for the U.S. – and will also appear in Vancouver to perform a few shows. Although he doesn’t record or perform with autotune – Matisyahu admits experimenting with it and other vocal effects in the studio. Despite this, he didn’t hesitate to collaborate with Akon.
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Download the mp3


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“My taste is kind of like, really varied,” he said. “As long as someone is using something tastefully and it’s being done in a way, I can get in to it, even if it’s not something I would necessarily choose to do myself.”

Certainly Matisyahu is no stranger to the mainsteam – his 2006 song, “King Without A Crown” cracked the Top 30 on the Billboard charts. While other artists may attempt to hide themselves from the masses, as to not alienate themselves from the underground – Matisyahu views the balance of the two realms as a challenge.

“For me, it’s about, definitely staying true to the music and not compromise, but at the same time, to be able to kinda make music and create something that people can really relate to,” he said. “Yunno, there’s an art to that, and I don’t really see it as compromise to do something more accessible as much as I see it as, yunno, ‘How do you make one of those songs that’s timeless?’”

An artist who feels it’s more of a challenge than a cop out to create something for both the mainstream and the underground – who knew?

EXCLUSIVE: Omarion Says He'll Be The Simon Of MTV's ABDC; Admits He Was Originally Slated For "Bedrock" Hook

During a check-in to “The Ralphie Radio Show” – Omarion revealed that he was originally on the hook of Young Money’s “Bedrock” – until he chose to leave YM.

“I actually wrote a hook, that’s true,” said Omarion, whose third solo LP, Ollusion, is in stores now. “I would’ve enjoyed to be on a record that is, you know, as successful as that record right now, but it wasn’t meant to be.”

Omarion does not have any regrets regarding his time with Young Money, and says there is no bad blood between him and the crew.

“When things are meant to be, they happen,” he said. “They don’t stutter-step, they don’t almost happen, they happen.”
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Part 1: Mentors, Ollusion and illusions about his life

Part 2: Pharrell, "Speedin'", Young Money

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Much has happened for the R&B crooner since the beginning of 2010. Ollusion dropped a few weeks ago, and now MTV tapped Omarion to replace Shane Sparks as a judge on “America’s Best Dance Crew”.

“I would call myself, something like, a ‘Simon’,” said the singer, comparing his style to of course that of “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell. “It’s gonna go down.”

Speaking of Idols though – Omarion talked about artists that he looks up to. With Ollusion a play-on-words from the illusion that some people have with his life, O credits his family, friends, and past experiences in being able to keep his own personal life on the "DL".

“I really look up to Pharrell (Williams),” said Omarion – citing the artist/producer as not just a “genius”, but a friend. “He gives me really, really super advice.”

EXCLUSIVE PHOTO: The Ring A.J. McLean Gave To His Fiance

As you may or may not know by now, Backstreet Boys singer A.J. McLean proposed to his girlfriend, Rochelle Karidis, on stage at a Las Vegas night club earlier this month. The Ralphie Radio Show obtained this photo of the engagement ring given to Karidis:

McLean previously described the ring to MTV News:

"It is a square head with princess-cut diamonds surrounding and a one-carat diamond in the center and there's also about 20 or 25 princess-cut diamonds on the actual band," he said.

No date has been set for the wedding.

DR. MICHAEL HALL: No Surprise Heidi Montag's Doctor Doesn't Want To Perform More Procedures On Her

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Dr. Michael Hall, creator of the Longevity Anti-Aging Center, called The RRS, offering his professional opinion on Heidi Montag's obsession with cosmetic surgery, and her doctor's comments that he doesn't want to perform any more procedures on her.

Read more about Dr. Hall here.

TMZ'S DAX: Conan Walks Away With A Big Pay Day

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TMZ's Dax checked in to The RRS to detail how much Conan O'Brien and his crew will receive after leaving NBC.

Catch Dax on TMZ TV - Local listings here.
Check out the the latest here.

AUTHOR STACY NELKIN: Cupid On A Budget

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Stacey Nelkin, actress and co-author of the book, "You Can't Afford To Break Up: How an Empty Wallet and a Dirty Mind Can Save Your Relationship", called in to The RRS to discuss how a Cupid can work effectively within a tight budget.

Read more here.

EXCLUSIVE: Nick Jonas Hasn't Met Prince, Doesn't Watch "Jersey Shore", Does Rock A BlackBerry

Much is being made in the media over Nick Jonas and his new project: Nick Jonas and The Administration. How successful will they be? Are the Jonas Brothers no more?

The chatter is growing louder after E! News reported that Joe Jonas is now writing songs off on his own, with other musicians that don’t share his last name. However, the man the brothers refer to as “The President” told me exclusively on “The Ralphie Radio Show” that his brother Joe did recently talk shop with one artist – U2 front man Bono.

“The main thing that Bono was saying, was to just be honest with your music,” revealed Nick on his second-hand account of the conversation. “Yunno, when you write your lyrics, write things that are real to you. And don’t be afraid to be too honest.”

It seems the youngest of the 3 musical brothers already picked up on those traits though. Nick wrote a bunch of honest songs – and honestly believed they weren’t for the Jonas Brothers. He told Joe and Kevin how he honestly felt. Now Nick has an honest chance of breaking the stereotypes of an artist cultivated by the Disney machine and to be perceived as well, an honest musician.

Jonas offered up, sorry last time here, honest answers during our conversation, which lasted over 10 minutes. Apparently, the inspiration behind “Stay” – a song written after the initial recording process of the new album – is quite authentic.

“I actually wrote that song in (Washington) D.C. on a day off that we had, a couple weeks ago,” said Jonas. “I was going through some things in my life and that kind of inspired the song and it’s always good when you can pull from real inspiration and real stuff in your life.”
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Part 1: Influences - Prince, Stevie Wonder, U2's Bono


Part 2: President Obama, Blackberry, "Jersey Shore", "Stay"

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Nick seemed equally surprised and impressed that fans already know the lyrics simply from YouTube videos of the live performances. Jonas said the band recorded a studio version of the track recently in Boston, and that it will see the light of day somehow – possibly in an album repackage or as an iTunes bonus.

It’s also been reported that at one show recently – fellow Disney star Selena Gomez was crying as Jonas played the song. The two were recently photographed together in Chicago and ended up on the front of TMZ.com. I reminded Nick that while I’m sure he’d like to keep his personal life just that, he should still be happy that he’s relevant to the point where people care.

“Well, thank you – that’s very, very nice of you to say,” he responded with a chuckle. “Yunno, it is what it is.”

The conversation did not stray from music-related topics often, but the TV show “Jersey Shore” did come up. The Jonas clan was raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey. Nick heard of the MTV show, but has not seen an episode.

“I did see the YouTube video of Snooki, I believe it is, getting punched in the face,” he admitted. “For me personally, I feel like, coming from New Jersey, and going from that area, which, if you’re from that area, you just know that that’s kind of what it’s like. And so for people across the U.S., they’re thinking, ‘Wow, this is crazy, I’ve never seen this.’ But for me, it was like, ‘Man, that’s home.’”

Jonas still has a couple friends from Seaside Heights.

That album by the way, Who I Am, hits stores February 2. Jonas is in the midst of a 22 date-tour – a trek that he admits is much more scaled down in venue size and production from the massive schedules he embarked on with his brothers. Nick says it’s not a coincidence – as the group tries to center each performance on the music itself.

“This project in particular for me was about just being able to express myself as an artist and as a musician,” he said. “Hopefully, people will respond well to it.”

EXCLUSIVE: Jason Derulo On Lady GaGa, Haiti, New LP

Despite Monday's Lady GaGa/Jason Derulo show being postponed, the "Whatcha Say" singer still made time for The RRS, chatting for the first time about GaGa's tour changes and appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Derulo also dropped some knowledge about hit self-titled LP, which hits stores this March.

Part 1: Lady GaGa, Haiti

Part 2: Self-titled LP, T-Shirt ripping

TMZ: Creepin' On Ke$ha

I love TMZ - a reporter calls my show at least once a week to chat about one of the many entertainment stories they are breaking exclusive news on. But, this photog is creepy. No, not because he's videotaping Ke$ha shopping in New York City, while she prances around sans pants, ala Lady GaGa. Instead of the video, focus on the audio... his running commentary is, well, priceless.

MTV NEWS' SHAHEEM REID: Lil Wayne Working On Tha Carter VI

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MTV News reporter Shaheem Reid called in to "The Ralphie Radio Show" last week to chat about footage posted on mtvnews.com of Lil Wayne from a new DVD entitled, “The Nino Brown Story, Pt. 2.” The footage is unprecedented – showing the rapper as his fans have never seen him… laughing in the vocal booth, chatting in the mixing room, hanging out in his New Orleans home.
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Check out MTV News here.
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After chopping it up about the DVD, which hits stores January 22, I asked Reid what new music we could expect from Wayne before he heads to prison next month. I also inquired about a possible release date for Tha Carter IV.

“I talked to Wayne, and he’s already on Carter VI,” revealed Reid. “It just depends on what music he wants to release.”

The reporter – who visited Scranton to cover the kickoff of Weezy’s summer tour at Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain – says Wayne will be in prison for 8 to 12 months, and that there’s a chance the we could begin hearing material from the album while he’s away.

TMZ'S DAX: NBC Gives It Back To Jay, Old Show Title Included

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TMZ's Dax called in to The RRS to chat about Jay Leno officially moving back to "The Tonight Show."

Catch Dax on TMZ TV - Local listings here.
Check out the the latest here.

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: A Believable Lie

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The Wingman insists, if you're going to lie about your profession - make it good - and make it believable.

Visit The Wingman MySpace, Facebook, & Twitter.

EXCLUSIVE: Jason Derulo Talks About GaGa's Oprah Appearance And Helping Haiti

In an interview that aired Monday evening on "The Ralphie Radio Show", Jason Derulo, the main supoprting act for Lady GaGa on "The Monster Ball" tour, spoke for the first time about the recent cancellation of a couple shows, as well as GaGa's appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" The segment with Winfrey taped the morning after GaGa failed to perform at Purdue University. She would eventually cancel her Saturday and Sunday tour dates, and postponed Monday's performance at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

The "Whatcha Say" singer defended his tour mate's condition and decision to tape the show. He also offered a possible explanation as to how she might have been able to appear on the show but still be forced to cancel concerts.

"There's something you can take, it's like a shot, like steroids, which a lot of performers take for a quick fix," explained Derulo. Although later clarifying that he wasn't sure whether GaGa used the remedy or not, he reiterated that it is common for artists to rely on it for very short stints. "It's definitely not something you can do all the time."

Derulo also said that there are certainly no hard feelings over the incident.
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Listen to the audio below, and check The RRS blog later for the interview in its entirety:

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"I mean, 'Oprah' was obviously a really, really big thing - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said. "She just had to do that."

The Miami-born singer still spent the weekend in Atlantic City - performing a previously-scheduled solo date on Friday, then performing a second time on Saturday - the night he was to perform with GaGa at The Borgata. Derulo donated all proceeds from the second show to the relief efforts in Haiti - a disaster which hit home for the crooner.

"My heart goes out to Haiti. My parents are from Haiti," revealed Derulo. His uncle still resides there, and survived the earthquake.

"For the first couple days, like, he was just sleeping on the streets," Derulo said. "He was saying how the streets just smell of death."

While on The RRS, Derulo solicited listeners to text "YELE" to 501501. The text will donate $5 to Yele Haiti - a grassroots foundation started by singer Wyclef Jean to aid the country.

The Country Side of Ke$ha

Katy Perry sang gospel before singing about kissing girls... Lady GaGa channeled more Alanis before Madonna. Now comes footage of pop's newest princess... Ke$ha, seen below singing "Honky Tonk Song" with her brother in Nashville at an undisclosed dive bar.

AAR, Sum 41, WTK, Hey Monday, The Cab highlight Vans Warped Tour 2010 Lineup

Check dates here.
Full lineup here.

Of course, some of the highlights...
- The Cab
- Hey Monday
- Sum 41
- We The Kings

And headlining...

THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS!

Lil Wayne Doin' His Thang

Loving this candid footage of Weezy F. Baby recording in-studio... read more about it here.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Nathan f/ Flo-Rida - Caught Me Slippn

Up-and-coming UK crooner Nathan called The RRS to chat about his musical endeavor in to the US and his track with Flo-Rida, "Caught Me Slippn".

Part 1: The song, working w/ Flo-Rida

Part 2: The new "British Invasion", New LP

Never Get Cheap With These 7 Things...

From COED Magazine... 7 things you should never get cheap with...

1. Hair Replacement
2. Boob Job
3. Dentist
4. Adult Entertainment
5. Car Insurance
6. DUI Attorney
7. Tattoos

Meteorologist Snooki With The 7-Day...

Her show airs on MTV. Jay Leno invited her on his ill-fated prime-time show twice. She receives $10,000 to appear at clubs and events. Yet still, it seems America can't get enough of Nicole Polizzi - known to the masses as "Snooki" from "Jersey Shore". In her latest cameo, Snooki trades in lush background of Seaside Heights for a green screen on New York TV station WPIX.

TMZ'S DAX: Leno To Return To Late Night Timeslot

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TMZ's Dax called in to The RRS after TMZ broke the news that NBC would move Jay Leno back to 11:30 p.m. after the Winter Olympics.

Catch Dax on TMZ TV - Local listings here.
Check out the article here.

EXCLUSIVE: Elliott Yamin Says He'll Watch "Idol" On Tuesday

Some former "American Idol" contestants try and distance themselves from the show when pursuing a solo career after the season ends. Elliott Yamin is not one of those contestants.

“Uh… “Idol,” what’s that?” joked Yamin, who placed third on the fifth season of the show. “Look, the bottom line is, you and I wouldn’t be talking about records and albums and just having this conversation if not for my whole experience from that show.”
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A night before his performance at the Crocodile Rock Café in Allentown, American Idol-alum Elliott Yamin checks in to The RRS to chat about touring, Idol, and baseball.

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Yamin called up “The Ralphie Radio Show” to talk records, albums, and performances – as the next night he would take the stage at The Crocodile Rock Café in Allentown.

“I feel like I’m in debt… with the amount of gratitude that I have for (Idol) and the opportunity,” said Yamin. “It was the best thing I could’ve ever done for myself.”

That being said, Yamin notes that despite touring, he’ll try and catch the start of the ninth season, which kicks off this Tuesday on FOX.

“Yesterday, some of the guys (in my band) and I were going through the DVR, and trying to find out what time it came on, so we could record it,” revealed Yamin, who is touring on a bus equipped with DirecTV. “We set the first one to record.”

EXCLUSIVE: Ke$ha - The Father-Less Pop Star With A Not-So-Soft Side

You know her as Ke$ha, the trash-talking, hard-partying pop star who's single, "TiK ToK" recently sold the most digital copies in a week by a female artist. BTW, the song that she sings the hook of, Flo Rida's "Right Round", sold the most overall.

Her family and friends know her as Kesha Rose Sebert - a trash-talking, hard-partying aspiring artist, who is finally breaking out on the grandest stage of 'em all.

And as for Ke$ha, seems she knows who she is, and what she's doing - but as for who her father is? Well, that’s another story.

“This guy called me up, and said, ‘I think I’m your dad,” explained Ke$ha. “So like, I moved to (Los Angeles), and off-the-plane moved in with him. And turned out he’s totally not my dad, and so I lived in my car for a minute… and then, I ended up getting my own apartment.”

Believe it or not, that’s one of Sebert’s more tame stories… her official website’s bio starts with an account of the pop star’s face-to-face meeting with an icon. Ke$ha paid off a gardner and snuck in to Prince’s house to give him a demo. Sebert met The Purple One, and she left the CD there for him, but she never heard back.

It seems Sebert loves to tell stories – and tales she tells on her debut LP, Animal, which hit stores Tuesday. The following day, before taping a performance on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” – the 22 year-old singer/rapper/story teller called in to “The Ralphie Radio Show.”

It’s a true Hollywood tale: the girl who lived in her car, and still doesn’t know the identity of her father, goes on to help sell the two most downloaded singles in a sole week. Of course, you probably didn’t know Ke$ha sang the hook of “Right Round” because she didn’t receive credit for the single. It was her decision to not be credited and not appear in the music video. Matter of fact, Sebert says at first she didn’t receive much of anything for the performance.
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Part 1: CD Release Party Shut Down By Po-Po, Living In Her Car

Part 2: Animal, "Right Round", Katy Perry's Engagement

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“I didn’t get shit,” Ke$ha said, rather calmly, noting that in addition to no up-front payment, the track did not yield her any royalty checks. “I got a car,” she later admitted when pressed about whether the song could be credited with landing her a deal on RCA Records. The 1978 Gold Trans-Am that she currently drives can also be seen in the video for “TiK ToK.”

You can say what you’d like about the type of music, or the context of it – but Ke$ha insists the songs are sincere and “unapologetically fun.”

“The music is honest,” she clarifies. “I write with sheer honesty, so anything that’s in any of my songs, like, chances are I’ve probably done that at some point. I’m not saying like, I do these things every day.”

“Unapologetically fun” is kinda a term you could use to describe another track… Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl.” Perry and Sebert are friends – and Ke$ha made a cameo in the video for Perry’s debut single. Yet, due to all of the commotion around her own debut, Sebert did not hear that comedian Russell Brand proposed to Perry… until I told her on The RRS.

“Are you serious?!” she exclaimed, before I cited multiple reports from Brand’s publicist and the comedian himself. “Wow, no shit.”

Sebert hasn’t met Brand, but is happy for the newly engaged couple. Although, she did have to think for a second on what she would give them as a wedding gift.

“I would get her… a giant… inflatable…,” she said, thinking out loud, before I cut her off and reminded her that the censors were standing by, if need be.

“No, some sort of animal. Or I’ll buy her a boat… I dunno.”

Mariah Strugg-i-ling On Stage

Mariah Carey is no stranger to awkward live TV... matter of fact, she could be the spokesperson for it. Anyways, Tuesday night, she gets on stage at an awards show in California to accept an award for her performance in Precious... and well, the video will tell the rest of the story...

I'm sorry, but Mimi's ramble immediately conjured up memories of Joe Namath to me...

8 Women Completely Off Limits

Can't say I agree with all of these... nonetheless... 8 women that are off limits in anyone's life, as listed by mademan.com... which seems to be offline... so we'll link here... and the list...

Your Friend’s Ex

Your Friend’s/Ex’s Mom

Your Ex’s Sister

Your Boss’ Daughter

Your Boss

Your Doctor

Pregnant Chicks

Nuns

20 Things That Happen In 1 Minute

I find this fascinating... a graphic from of all websites, i-am-bored.com, that depicts 20 different events that take place in the US in just 60 seconds... damn, must be nice to be Oprah!

DJ Earworm - United State of Pop 2009 (Blame It On The Pop)

Thought you might enjoy this, a clever mash-up of the 25 biggest songs in 2009 according to Billboard... definitely worth your time here.

EXCLUSIVE: Lil Wayne Packin' A BB Gun In TMZ Photo

Early Saturday morning, TMZ posted a photo of Lil Wayne, claiming he clutched what appeared to be an automatic weapon, with the caption that the picture was taken on July 27, 2009 in Pennsylvania.

The Ralphie Radio Show can confirm the photo was taken that day, in Scranton, outside of Lil Wayne's hotel - The Radisson. As I reported back in July, the "gun" in question is actually a BB gun. According to my source, Wayne went as far as to hide it from people on his bus, as he didn't want a picture like the one above surfacing.

Oops.

AUDIO: TMZ's Leslie Harris On The Kid Cudi/RRS Story

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The Ralphie Radio Show broke the news FIRST that Kid Cudi was off Lady GaGa's "Monster Ball." TMZ picked up the story and linked to the blog. TMZ's Leslie Harris called in to chat about the story.

Catch Leslie on TMZ TV - Local listings here.
Check out the article here.

EXCLUSIVE: Kristinia Debarge Talks About The Story Behind "Future Love"

The song “Future Love”, originally co-written by Ryan Tedder and recorded by the boy band Varsity Fanclub, may have hit airwaves first – but according to singer Kristinia Debarge – the song belongs to her.

“It’s my record now,” responded the 19 year-old when I asked her if she “covered” the song. “I’ve never heard (Varsity Fanclub’s).”

Debarge claims she didn’t find out until about a month after recording the song that VFC released a version prior to her recording. Initially, it caught her off guard.
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Download the mp3

19 year-old Kristinia Debarge chatted with The RRS about her songs, "Goodbye" & "Future Love" plus opening up for Britney Spears - and you'll never believe what cell phone number we have that she doesn't!

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“I was like, ‘Why am I doing this record? That’s someone else’s!’ (Island Def Jam Music Group) were like, ‘No no no, it’s yours,’” explained Debarge.

Producer Jim Jonsin and rapper Pitbull helped to differentiate Debarge’s version from VFC’s by releasing a remix, which IDJMG sent to radio stations in November. Similar to other tracks he cameos on, Pitbull never reached out to Debarge or the label – he simply heard the track, recorded the verse, and sent it off.

“I still haven’t got to talk to (Pitbull) about it yet, which I would love to do,” revealed Debarge. “I wanna thank him for doing this record with me. We both recorded that record separately.”

Right after she told me this, I immediately called Pitbull – but to no avail, as he didn’t pick up and his voicemail inbox was full.

Debarge is currently working on her sophomore album, the follow-up to Exposed - which spawned a Top 20 hit in "Goodbye". The singer reveals she will be writing more on this album - which is still untitled - although Debarge hints the title will have "something to do with wishes."

EXCLUSIVE: Alleged Kid Cudi Punching Victim Says He Hasn't Received An Apology

Michael Sharpe, the 19 year-old college student who says he received a haymaker from one of his favorite emcee's, Kid Cudi, now says he still hasn't received an apology.

Sharpe checked in from the Phillipines, where he's home on winter break. Just five days ago, the college student thought he did the right thing by tossing a wallet that wasn't his back on to Kid Cudi's stage. Cudder took the gesture as an insult - video that surfaced online shows the rapper remove his ear monitors, jump off stage, and land a hard punch to the face of a fan, allegedly Sharpe. But after our 10 minute conversation Thursday, it seems that the fan's feelings are hurt far more than his face.

Photo courtesy of TMZ. Video of the incident is below:

"Being home now, and talking about it with my family... it's different," Sharpe revealed in relation to his feelings on the incident. "Definitely, if he would have hurt me seriously, I'd be much more upset. I didn't really think about that though until I came home."

Sharpe also said he has been in touch with a man claiming to be Cudi's manager. The person kept insisting that an apology would be forthcoming, however that seems less likely as the days pass.

"How busy can he be, that he can't call me and apologize?" asked Sharpe. "If you punched someone at a bar, and you were sorry, wouldn't you make it a point to call and apologize? I'm not even looking for anything, other than just an apology. I'm just a fan."

It was in that vein that Sharpe sent his latest and thus far, last series of text messages to the rapper's alleged manager. After hearing news that Kid Cudi would no longer be on tour with Lady GaGa, a story first reported by The RRS, Sharpe reached out to make sure everything was cool. The "manager" retorted with a defensive, press release-like statement, noting that Cudi pulled himself off the tour, and was not asked to leave.

"I was like, 'Are you kidding me?'" recalled Sharpe. "Like, is he trying to make a statement through me? That was it for me."

EXCLUSIVE: We The Kings Release "Smile Kid", Live Like Rock Stars

We The Kings found out first hand that there are many benefits to rock stardom. Apparently one of those is that if you’re in the band, you’re never stuck with the bill… even if you ruin bed sheets in a New York hotel for three consecutive nights.

“It was crazy, we kept waking up and there were smiley faces everywhere,” explained front man Travis Clark – who referred to the new tattoos that each band member got – the smiley face that graces the cover of WTK’s latest LP, Smile Kid. The ink was fresh, and the boys from Bradenton, Florida found themselves in the Big Apple promoting the new album. Even Clark became a little skeptical of how the situation would play out with the hotel.
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“I was just like, ‘Dude, they’re not gonna give us any more sheets,’ because we’ve literally ruined every one of them,” admitted the lead singer. “We probably ruined four beds (worth of sheets)… three nights in a row.”

But according to Clark – the mishap didn’t cost the band a dime. He admitted that usually a check or tab is the one thing WTK does not have to worry about.

We The Kings chatted with The Ralphie Radio Show before year’s end – the band’s fourth appearance on The RRS this year, leading all other artists. Chris Daughtry placed second with three guest spots.

EXCLUSIVE: Justin Bieber On Meeting Obama, Touring, Dating, and More

He’s 15 years old – already traveling the country with an entourage, performing at sold out venues, shutting down shopping malls, and singing for the President of the United States. Yet, you can’t blame Justin Bieber for finding it a bit weird that people actually care about his dating life.

“A little bit,” the pint-sized singer responded when I asked him if he thought it was strange that people asked him about his personal life at his age. “I mean, I’m young. I mean, I’m dating but I’m not dating anyone specific, yunno what I mean? Just like, being a kid.”

Refreshing to hear that despite all of the hoopla, and record sales, and commitments – Bieber can still focus on just that – living the life of a 15 year-old. When I spoke with him, a crew from the New York Times trailed him for an upcoming feature. Also rolling with Justin – two reps from Island Def Jam Music Group, two managers, band mates, and dancers.

You can’t blame any of the aforementioned for surrounding Bieber – the teenager became the hottest ticket in pop music faster than you can say “Bieber Fever.” Things don’t look to ease up anytime soon – 2010 will bring a new LP in My World Part 2 along with a headlining tour. Usher’s protégé revealed on The RRS that there will be an opening act for the trek, but would not announce who.
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Any star that rises as quickly as Bieber in this day and age is bound to have some controversy following – and that came courtesy of a scheduled mall performance that went awry. Matter of fact, Justin never showed up. But, on November 20, a thousand screaming tweens did storm in to the Roosevelt Mall on Long Island – and a false spotting of the teen sensation sent the crowd in to a frenzy. Paramedics took one girl away on a stretcher and police arrested IDJMG’s senior vice president for sales.

A few weeks later, Bieber played for an estimated 20,000 people outside at the Citadel Outlet Mall in Los Angeles. Although the event went off relatively smooth, there were a few reported instances of near-trampling as fans waited impatiently for the artist to arrive. All of this begs the question – have we seen the last of Justin Bieber mall appearances?

“I dunno, as long as we have enough security I think we’ll be fine,” he said. “I just don’t want little girls to get hurt… I just love to be able to perform for my fans in general.”

TMZ Cites RRS As First To Report On Cudi Tour Change

Big thank you to my good friends at TMZ, who linked to The Ralphie Radio Show blog in their report of news I broke today in regards to Kid Cudi's departure from Lady GaGa's "Monster Ball." Despite my deletion of the story from the blog, TMZ still gave credit to The RRS, as we first reported the change.

The Ralphie Radio Show and TMZ have enjoyed a great partnership since the official launch of The RRS in August 2007. I've always preferred TMZ to other celebrity news blogs because they actually report - as in gathering sources, fact checking, breaking news, and creatively writing/distributing the facts. This simply reaffirms my beliefs, as TMZ did not have to link to the blog, but did because from a journalistic perspective, it was the right move.