DAILY DOWNLOAD: Auburn - 'La La La'

Sure, her label may bill her that way. Yes, you may even think it after listening to "La La La." But do not call Auburn the "female Jason Derulo."

Matter of fact, don't call her the female version of anything.

The MySpace sensation scored a record deal with J.R. Rotem's Beluga Heights well before Derulo or Iyaz burst on to the scene. Now it's her turn at stardom with her first single pushed to radio, the catchy "La La La", which features her labelmate Iyaz.

Auburn checked in to "The Ralphie Radio Show" to shed some light on the track and the path she took to reach the current point of her career.

Part 1: "La La La"

Part 2: MySpace

EXCLUSIVE: JLS Chats About First U.S. Trip

I learned the difference first hand between the tabloids in the States and across the pond on Saturday. The British boy-band JLS joined “The Ralphie Radio Show” – and were quick to correct me when I cited a report that I read in The Mirror that the fellas hung out with Jay-Z and KanYe West in Los Angeles.

“It’s good that you ask, because we can squash (the rumors),” replied Marvin Humes, who called in to “The RRS” from the UK just a few months ago. “The Jay-Z connection has come from back home.”

Both Jay and JLS performed and won at The Brit Awards, which is similar to the Grammys. After the show, the “Empire State of Mind” emcee congratulated the boys at an after party by sending a bottle of champagne over to their table… of course, each person received their own bottle.

As for Mr. West, JB Gill revealed JLS has yet to rub elbows or receive gifts from him. The initial report also claimed the boys were introduced to both rappers by former Sugababes member Keisha Buchanan, also incorrect.
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While we were speaking about what they did not do – Humes noted that they have yet to meet with J.R. Rotem, the man who produced “Everybody In Love” (along with half of everything else you hear on the radio these days). Yes, Aston Merrygold was photographed at Burger King but no, he never made it to In-N-Out Burger.

The guys did try Pinkberry for their first time - Oritsé Williams insisted he is addicted. Also while in L.A., the band wrote some new material for a forthcoming LP. Humes said that they worked with some big producers, including Toby Gad (Beyoncé’s “If I Were A Boy”).

JLS has also now encountered both the paparazzi in the UK and in the US. So, who’s more aggressive?

“We’re cool with both,” insisted Gill. “I’d say probably a bit more aggressive in the UK, obviously because we’re more known. But you know what, the paparazzi, they do their job and they help us – yunno, they give us press and they let people out there know what we’re doing.”

RRS EXCLUSIVE: Iyaz Reveals Miley Cyrus-Collab, Doesn't Know Who Leaked 'Solo'

In an interview on “The Ralphie Radio Show,” Iyaz revealed that he recently collaborated with Miley Cyrus in-studio.

“No, that was for her’s,” replied the singer, real name Keidran Jones, when asked if the track would be featured on his forthcoming album. Reprise Records’ Tommy Page confirmed that Iyaz’s debut LP, My Life, will hit stores April 27. The first single, “Replay” – not only topped the charts, but scored the Virgin Islands pop star some free product from Apple.

“They gave me some small little Shuffles that said, ‘Stuck On Replay’ on the back,” Iyaz divulged. On the hook of “Replay”, the crooner likens his unwavering love for a girl to his iPod being stuck on replay. “‘Replay’… all of my songs, if not most of ‘em, are based on true stories.”
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This also holds true with Iyaz’s latest single, “Solo,” – yes, he’s an eligible bachelor. The song samples Janet Jackson’s 1993 smash, “Again.” In a prior interview on “The RRS”, producer J.R. Rotem remarked that he breathed a sigh of relief when the sample cleared, as the song leaked on to YouTube before clearance. Although Iyaz eventually sent the link out to his followers on Twitter, he denies actually posting the track.

“I was in Vegas… I went on my Twitter, and somebody posted, “Man, I just heard ‘Solo’ on the radio,” recalled Iyaz. “So, you know me. I went straight to YouTube, and there it is. I was like, ‘Wow!’ And I didn’t have it (yet).”

The singer said that a similar situation occurred with “Replay.” Surely Iyaz hopes the entire situation will rewind and playback – producing yet another number one hit for the twenty-one year old artist.

RRS EXCLUSIVE: Preview Jason Derulo's Self-Titled LP

Download the mp3

It won't be released until this Tuesday, but Jason Derulo and Warner Brothers Records were kind enough to advance "The Ralphie Radio Show" and A.J. In The Afternoon copies of the Beluga Heights singer's debut album. The nine track LP includes the number one hit, "Whatcha Say", as well as "In My Head" and a few others that are sure to be instant classics. J.R. Rotem is the Executuve Producer of the project.

An iTunes Deluxe Version will include the acoustic remix of "Whatcha Say" along with a remix of "In My Head" and the music videos for both singles.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: JLS - 'Everybody In Love'

Marvin Humes, a member of JLS, called in to "The Ralphie Radio Show" from across the pond to chat about the UK boy band's single, "Everybody In Love", produced by J.R. Rotem.

JLS placed second in the 2008 season of "The X-Factor," Simon Cowell's version of "American Idol" in the UK.

Part 1: "Everybody In Love", working with J.R. Rotem

Part 2: Success in the UK, coming to the States, working with Simon Cowell

EXCLUSIVE: J.R. Rotem, Part 4 - Regrets How He Acted While Dating Britney Spears

There was a time in J.R. Rotem’s life, specifically December of 2006, when he fended off more paparazzi than producers. Over three years ago, Rotem worked in studio with Britney Spears, eventually producing the track “Everybody”, an iTunes/Japan bonus for her 2007 LP, Blackout.

But the photogs and gossip blogs were more interested with what the two did outside the studio. Pictures emerged of the couple cuddling, holding hands, and enjoying each other’s company. At the time, Rotem thought it was all meant to be. Looking back on the situation, the producer realizes it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, and even holds a few regrets.

“It was kind of a stupid phase I was going through, where I wouldn’t say that I was being a bad person but I would say that I was being not very genuine to who I am and what it is that I’m supposed to do,” remarked Rotem on that period of his career. Spears did not come up by name once in the final of a four part exclusive interview on “The Ralphie Radio Show.” But, Rotem produced every other piece to the puzzle.

“When somebody acts like that, or at least for me, some of it stems from insecurity,” the producer revealed, as he began to open up about his true feelings on the situation – now three years later. “Finally when you get some success (in the music industry), and you get some visibility and some money and things like that, it was almost like, I was trying to prove to myself and maybe to others, ‘Hey, I’m here,’… and it’s kind of a phase that I went through that I’m not proud of.”
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“I don’t think that I did anything irreparable or harmed anyone, but I think what I probably did do is just kind of make a jackass out of myself for a few months there,” he continued – without pause – as if he wanted to get this off his conscience for a minute.

Sans Justin, Rotem probably has the most practical outlook on his relationship with Spears than any of her other ex-beaus. But what makes the producer unique is that in addition to coming to terms with his mistakes and moving on – Rotem is able to help his stable of young artists on his Beluga Heights record label by sharing his experiences, both good and bad.

“These artists that we sign, they’re very, very young. They go from not having a lot of money to having a lot of money and traveling the world, and the things that come with that,” said Rotem. “It’s kind of hard, not to get somewhat tainted by that. I try to give them the guidance that I can. But in the end, I feel like a person really has to go through their own process… there’s only so much somebody else can tell you.”

While speaking on that last point, Rotem referred to his phase as the time in his life when he wore sunglasses indoors, and was concerned with driving fancy cars. Somebody could have told him to knock it off (and he received plenty of criticism for it on the Internet). But for Rotem, he needed to experience it first hand, so that he could learn and move on. For it, he’s a better person, a more focused producer, and certainly less quick to judge when he spots someone rocking a pair of Ray-Bans in the dark.

EXCLUSIVE: J.R. Rotem, Part 3 - Janet Jackson Sample Clears, The Verve Doesn't

J.R. Rotem breathed a sign of relief when he found out that Janet Jackson cleared the use of a sample from her 1993 number one hit, “Again” for the latest single from Iyaz, “Solo.”

“Unfortunately that song leaked before we ever solidified anything,” said Rotem. “In a way it was amazing; people really seemed to be loving the record, but yunno on another way, it’s not like we officially had mixed it or mastered it or gone for sample clearance or anything like that.”

Although it may be unclear as to who actually posted the track on YouTube, this much is known: Iyaz himself, as well as Sean Kingston, “tweeted” out the link to their followers, thus beginning the buzz on the song. Jackson did not speak with Rotem directly, but did offer a compliment on the final piece, in addition to clearing the sample.
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Sample clearance is not a given – and like “Solo” – sometimes a track is produced but not commercially distributed before the okay is handed down. Case in point: a track off of Jason Derulo’s self-titled debut, due out March 2, called “Ridin’ Solo.” The version on YouTube contains portions of The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony.” Rotem did not receive sample clearance from the band to use the track. Although disappointed, the song will still appear on the LP, with a different beat. It is not the first time the producer ran in to such an issue, and probably will not be the last.

“When you get creative, and you sample stuff, you don’t first get clearance,” explained Rotem. “There are certain cases, where people just aren’t interested… I actually can respect when they don’t want people to sample it... I can’t go in to it expecting that they are going to give me something that’s theirs.”

Rotem named Prince and The Rolling Stones in a list of different artists who are known not to offer sample clearance.

EXCLUSIVE: J.R. Rotem, Part 2 - Future Working With Sean Kingston

Sean Kingston is in the studio now, working on his third LP. But in an exclusive interview on “The Ralphie Radio Show” – producer J.R. Rotem reveals that he doesn’t know if he’ll be in the studio with Kingston this time around.

“I honestly don’t have any information on Sean in particular,” responded Rotem when I inquired about Kingston’s new project. “He’s still signed to Beluga Heights/Epic, but I haven’t worked with him in a while.”

The “Fire Burnin” singer confirmed on “The RRS” in November that he is working on new stuff, and even said at the time that he was working with Rotem – who originally discovered Kingston on MySpace. But since Kingston’s 2007 self-titled debut, it seems the chemistry between the producer and artist has faded.
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“Truthfully, I don’t know if I’m gonna be, from a producer standpoint, working on the next album that he’s going to be doing,” said Rotem. “Me and Sean had a chemistry, a very strong chemistry on the first album. I ended up producing the entire album. On the second album, it was kind of a different vibe. I probably did about half that album. And I would say that at this point, he’s kind of doing his own thing on his third album.”

Rotem reiterated during our conversation that Kingston is still signed to his label, a dual venture with Epic, and that will not be changing in the immediate future.

EXCLUSIVE: J.R. Rotem, Part 1 - The "J.R." Stutter-Signature

It’s a cool sound effect – and J.R. Rotem created it, and places it on some of the songs he produces, simply as a way to promote himself.

“These days, as you know, people are buying physical CDs less,” said Rotem in the first of an exclusive four-part interview on “The Ralphie Radio Show.” They buy iTunes stuff; they listen to things on YouTube. The days of people looking at liner notes on albums is kind of a thing of the past.”

So the stuttering “J.R.” sound effect was born. Although it graces some of his work, Rotem doesn’t use it on everything – citing Leona Lewis’s “Better In Time” as one track he felt it didn’t fit with. Radio stations also feel this way about some of his songs, creating custom edits for use on-air without the signature. But Rotem is just fine with that.
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“I don’t look at it as like a prerequisite, like you have to put that in there,” explained Rotem. “In the cases where they edit it out, that’s definitely something I understand and am cool with.”

Program directors of stations across the country have had many tracks gracing their desks and desktops with the “J.R.” audio signature – from Sean Kingston to Jason Derulo to Iyaz. As of late, Rotem and his Beluga Heights label have seen a great amount of success with the later two artists – as each have spawned a number one hit with “Whatcha Say” and “Replay” respecitively.