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.”

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: Mr. Hudson On Jay-Z, Estelle, Sneakers, & Coldstone

It’s been quite the year for England’s Mr. Hudson. Signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music, Hudson is set to debut in the States with Straight No Chaser on October 5. In an interview on The Ralphie Radio Show – West’s protégé confirmed that he’s on at least one track off of Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3, and that he is also working with Estelle on her next LP.

“We did a little duet together, hopefully for her album,” says Hudson of his studio session with Estelle – who is also from England. Hudson called Estelle “an inspiration.”

It’s just another project that Hudson finds himself involved with, thanks to West. First – 808’s and Heartbreaks – where Hudson sang background vocals on a couple tracks and lent a more prominent role to the song, “Paranoid.” Next up: Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 – where it was originally rumored that Hudson could be featured on a couple of cuts.

“I got a funny feeling it might just be Forever Young,” revealed Hudson of his contributions to the final product – which is due out September 11. “Just to be anywhere near that project is an honor. (Jay-Z)’s the man.”

Hudson took a backseat, observing and participating when asked on ‘Ye’s and Jay’s respective albums – while also watching other projects within the G.O.O.D. Music family unfold. Now, it’s his turn. Kanye actually presented the first single, “Supernova” – to Hudson as a gift, literally.
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Part 1: His New Life Thanks To KanYe, Sneaker Collection, Coldstone Creamery

Part 2: "Supernova", Straight No Chaser, Blueprint 3, Working with Estelle.

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“He comes in… and says, ‘Yo Hudson I got a present for you,’” the English vocalist recalled. Immediately, Hudson thought the gift could be “embarrassingly generous” – as according to the singer, Kanye gave both his barber and manager cars. But there was no big “Oprah-type” moment, as West simply turned to the engineer in the studio and said, “Press play.” ‘Ye’s trademark big drums came blaring over the speakers, and West sang what would become the chorus on “Supernova” – in what Hudson describes as a, “slow and lower, more like at 808’s and Heartbreaks approach.” Hudson cranked up the volume on it and the final product came together.

“So I didn’t get a ‘Jesus Piece,’” he remarked. “I think I got something better.”

People overseas might agree – as the song peaked at numbers 2 and 3 on the UK and Irish Charts respectively. The success in Hudson’s homeland clearly means something: he didn’t need a cue to bring up the chart position during the interview. However I wondered if the London singer minded that Kanye threw his best English accent on the track.

“He’d been in London for weeks… and he had a couple drinks, so I think it just came out,” said Hudson. “I think it’s like ‘When in Rome,’ yunno?”

Mr. Hudson shared that the vernacular impact goes both ways – he added “I’ma” to his vocab – using the example of “I’ma get me a Coldstone.”

The ice cream parlor is one of many things that West turned Hudson on to. Another is fashion, particularly sneakers.

“It went from one pair to two or three. But I’m still learning,” admitted Hudson. “An Englishman has like, maybe one or two pairs of trainers.”

Of course, considering the teacher, it’s no surprised that the student owns a pair of “Yeezy’s.”

“I’m too scared to take them out the box,” said Hudson. “Maybe I’ll just wear them around the house.”

Probably My Favorite Grammy Performance...

Does M.I.A. get props or drops for wearing that outfit for a Grammy Performance on her due date?

Full list of Grammy Winners here.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: new coldplay/jay-z!

Check back every weeknight to listen to Ralphie's "Daily Download" - the one song you should have on your iTunes playlist!

10.18.08 : Coldplay f. Jay-Z - Lost+

jay-creep-z.

apparently hova demanded a watermelon be carved into the shape of beyonce's breasts while performing in africa recently.

you think jigga knew about this?

in other jay-z news, the aforlinked article mentions that he took his entire stage crew to dinner after what jay called, "ridiculously good" glastonbury set last month.

oh, you mean the set that started like this?

it gets better - he dropped in the range of 10 to 20 g's on the meals.

no wonderwall hova raps...

and doesn't sing.

from glastonbury. this after many criticized jay-z as a headliner for the rock-fueled festival.

what he "baracks" out too...

click here for an article about what presidential hopeful barack obama listens to on his ipod. interesting read - especially when he offers props to jay-z and ludacris, yet won't allow his two younger daughters to listen to the rappers.

beyonce's getting old...

first she marries, now she retires? from 97bht.com...

(New York, NY) -- Pop star Beyonce Knowles may be contemplating retirement. According to the "New York Daily News," the singer's cousin Angelica Knowles says the album Beyonce is now working on will be her last and that she then plans to scout talent for her reported new husband, rapper and hip-hop mogul Jay-Z's upcoming label, to be called The Carter Music Group. Beyonce's reps have not commented on the retirement report. Twenty-six-year-old Beyonce is rumored to have tied the knot with 38-year-old Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, April 4th at his New York City apartment. The nuptials have not been officially confirmed. Beyonce has been spotted wearing a large diamond ring and singer Mary J. Blige appeared to offer her congratulations to the couple during one of her recent concerts.

rihanna's grammy night - non stop like the music.

from the new york daily news...

"Rihanna got into a fender-bender outside Universal's party, where another driver rammed her vehicle. The scrape didn't stop the Grammy winner from heading to Entertainment Weekly's party for Island/Def Jam chief L.A. Reid. As soon as she walked in, Rihanna made a beeline for Chris Brown, the boyfriend she's been trying to keep under wraps. "They were touching and whispering in each other's ears," says our spy. "Then Jay-Z and Beyonce walked in. Jay was saying hello to everybody except them. Rihanna seemed upset. She walked over to his table and looked like she was reading him the riot act. A few minutes later, she and Chris left together in her car." Jay and Rihanna have both denied rumors of a past fling, and he and Beyonce did invite Rihanna to an intimate dinner they threw Thursday."

maybe jay didn't approach rihanna over this?

free jay-z album!

so this dj in washington d.c. took jay-z's latest album - american gangster, and threw the remix on it using led zeppelin songs.

i know, i think the idea sounds dope too.

click here to download it fa free!