EXCLUSIVE: Soulja Boy Tell 'Em Tour Cancelled, According To SODMG DJ

Last weekend, Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em’s Twitter account disappeared and then reappeared. Now it seems his first headlining tour is gone, with no word if it will also resurface.

“Just got (the) text tour is cancelled,” DJ Woogie, one of Soulja Boy’s mixtape DJs, tweeted to his followers on Wednesday. The day before Woogie typed, “NI***S F***ED ME UP WITH THIS TOUR I MISSED HELLA SHOW DOE SINCE JUNE 19TH (till) NOW!!!”

On a list of tour dates obtained by “The Ralphie Radio Show”, the “Youngest N Charge” Tour was originally slated to begin June 17 in Dallas. The trek would feature headliner Soulja Boy along with his S.O.D.M.G. crew, rapper Hurricane Chris and R&B singer Sammie, who sang the hook of S-Beezy’s hit, “Kiss Me Thru The Phone.”

“This summer Soulja Boy hittin’ his first headlining tour,” said fellow SOD Money Gang artist JBar on “The Ralphie Radio Show” last April. “They gettin’ the other acts together right now… I heard Drake, that’s the only name I’ve heard so far.”

Soulja Boy and his camp have not talked publicly about the ill-fated tour. The rapper recently performed “Pretty Boy Swag” at the BET Awards Pre-Show. The track appears to be the first single from his third LP Dre, slated for a July 28 release. The album will also feature collaborations with KanYe West and Justin Bieber.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Drake - 'Find Your Love'

Download the segment

It will be Thursday night's Daily Download - and considering Drizzy himself posted a direct link to the MP3, I figured I'd forward it along...

Produced by KanYe West, the second single from Thank Me Later, due out June 15.

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.
---
Download the interview




---
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.”

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Estelle f. Kardinal Offishall, David Guetta - 'Freak'

Next time you complain about a friend inviting themselves to one of your parties, think of how Kardinal Offishall ended up on Estelle’s new single, “Freak”.

“He heard the song, and was like, ‘Gimme that,’” recalled Darlings, who played the track from her house for Kardi. “He literally like took the song, looped up the beginning of the instrumental and did his verse and sent it back like, ‘There ya go, I’m on the track now.’”

Estelle didn’t mind – she cites Offishall as a good friend and one of the few that she’d grant that privilege to. Plus – she thinks he added a lot to the single.

“He killed it,” she stated. “He came on it and lifted the energy up completely.”

The singer did clarify one issue: Kardinal’s path of entry to the record is not the reason she made him wear skinny jeans for the song’s music video.

“(Laughing) He knows me. Whenever he’s around me there’s a lot of skinny jeans,” Estelle joked. “I’m sorry. I’m British. It’s what happens.”
---
Download the inteview

---
Of course, before Offishall declared himself a contributor to the record, Estelle linked up with French producer/DJ David Guetta. The man behind “I Gotta Feeling” and “Sexy Bitch” only reached out to one artist other than Chris Willis for a contribution to “One Love” – Estelle.

“I was like, ‘Hell yeah, will you do a track for me?’” Darlings said. She and Guetta recorded “One Love” – which the producer would later use as the title track for his August 2009 LP, an honor that Estelle admitted is “really cool.”

“After we did ‘One Love’, we were just both sitting there and I was like, ‘Play me some more stuff,’” she said. “He played ‘Freak’ and I was like, ‘Oh my God… trust me, give me that record!’”

Estelle decided that she’d bring it back to the 80’s on the hook – paying homage to the British pop group Soul II Soul by singing the chorus of the group’s smash single, “Back To Life”.

“He lost his mind,” Darlings said of Guetta’s reaction to the impromptu tribute. “I’m a child of the 80’s from London. Soul II Soul is what I grew up on.”

“Freak” is the first single from Estelle’s third studio LP – All Of Me – which she plans to release this fall. Other confirmed contributors include Swizz Beats, Gym Class Heroes’ Travie McCoy, and John Legend. Darlings revealed that the album will probably not include another collaboration with KanYe West. She did note that a recent duet with Mr. Hudson would more than likely be included on an extended version of the LP.

NY MAG'S AMY ODELL: Fashion Week 2010

Download the mp3

Amy Odell, of New York Magazine's The Cut blog, called in to "The Ralphie Radio Show" to preview Fashion Week 2010 in New York City, specifically from the perspective of what musicians and artists will be doing what.

Catch up on the latest here.

EXCLUSIVE: Sean Paul on Kanye's Hennessy, Marijuana Legalization

Most celebrities might not take working the red carpet of events as serious as others – walking through quickly, avoiding the media, briefly posing for photographers, and heading inside to the event. For Jamaican dance hall king Sean Paul, this is far from the case.

“Everybody always asks me, ‘What do you like about these events (while I’m on the red carpet)?’ I’m like, ‘The networking!’” Paul said last week – calling in to The Ralphie Radio Show from Jamaica.

In Paul’s case, he’s converted two different red carpet meet-ups in to big studio collaborations. Over the summer, he met Keri Hilson on the red carpet of the BET Awards. The two would duet for a track called “Hold My Hand” – which can be found on the iTunes version of Imperial Blaze. Now the singers will meet again – in Wilkes-Barre on November 13. 97 BHT and E&R Entertainment present Sean Paul, Keri Hilson, and Colby O’Donis at the Wachovia Arena.

“She gon’ be on the show, so I dunno what’s gonna happen there,” Paul teased, hinting to a possible on-stage performance of the track from the both of them. “Yo, I’m looking forward to it. I’m really, really looking forward to that.”

Sean Paul also converted another awards show meet-up in to a possible hit record – he first met Jay Sean at the MTV VMA’s this past September. Shortly after, the two headed in to the studio to record, “Do You Remember” – the follow-up single to Jay Sean’s “Down”, which features Lil Wayne.

“(Jay Sean) was like, ‘Yo, I like your music!’ and was like, ‘Yo, I ain’t heard all of yours, but I liked the first single that I heard and listen, let’s do something.’”

Lil Jon also cameos on the track – which features two British artists. Jay Sean is from England – and Sean Paul’s grandmother is from overseas as well.
---

Part 1: Wachovia Arena/Nov. 13, Keri Hilson, Jay Sean, Red Carpets, KanYe West

Part 2: Legalization of Marijuana

More on the big show here.
---
While Sean Paul recorded a potential hit record thanks to a VMA encounter, he also avoided a potential disaster – as he ran in to his friend KanYe West on the red carpet as well.

“(West) gave me some of that Hennessey,” revealed Paul. “I’m just glad I didn’t take more of that.”

Immediately after West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech, Paul knew the alcohol played a role.

“I’ve been there before,” said Paul. “I know that feeling.”

Perhaps this is just more fuel to Sean Paul’s fire (no pun intended, here) in his argument that marijuana should be legalized. The singer of such tracks as “Gimme Di Light” and “We Be Burnin’ (Legalize It)” – Paul thinks that alcohol does much more hard to society than the illegal substance.

“Last time I drank, was one month ago dude. I was on the ground for like, a half hour,” Paul recounted. “You can take it for your own judgment. I’ve been doing what (President) Obama is not against for longest time, and I ain’t been on no carpet’s on the ground for a half hour.”

Paul also cited the overpopulation in America’s prisons as a reason he’d like to see marijuana legalized by the President, who has already said that the drug isn’t a priority for the administration at the moment.

EXCLUSIVE: Justin Bieber, Your Typical 15 Year Old... Almost

From the outset, Justin Bieber seems like your typical 15 year-old. He doodles on his own photos, cracks jokes with band mates, and will at times refuse to listen to anyone older than him. Getting ready to walk on stage at The Mall at Steamtown, he hops on his record label rep’s back, only to crash his head in to a door sill. Leaving the mall, in an attempt to retrieve his fallen hat, his ankle is stepped on by a fan, but of course, he tries not to let on to his staff, which laughs at him as he hobbles around, that its bothering him.

But a quick look at what the Canadian-born heart throb accomplished this past year, and “typical” will quickly become the furthest adjective from your mind.

Bieber performed last Thursday exclusively for 97 BHT listeners inside The Mall at Steamtown. Usher signed the teenage crooner to a deal after watching some of his YouTube videos – the most famous being Bieber’s cover of Chris Brown’s “With You”. But Usher wasn’t the only A-lister trying to court the 15 year-old.

“Well, what happened was, it was in Las Vegas. And it was Justin Timberlake in the red corner, it was Usher in the blue corner, and I’m pretty sure it was a technical knockout,” joked Bieber before he performed for almost 1,200 people inside the mall. I asked if Usher offered that much more than Timberlake, to which Bieber replied, “No, uhm… it was a technical knockout.”
---

---

Now with the upcoming release of his debut LP, My World, Bieber sports an enthusiastic fan base throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as two hits charted in the Top 30. Just a few weeks ago he popped up on NBC’s “The Today Show”, and who could forget his cameo at the MTV Video Music Awards? Yes, the 15 year-old had the daunting task of introducing Taylor Swift’s performance, immediately after KanYe West interrupted the starlet’s acceptance speech on stage. Bieber witnessed the fiasco from the stage, and then went on to offer impromptu kudos to Swift on-air, before introducing her.

“I don’t think as a new artist, or anybody, really goes off topic of like, what they’re supposed to say on the teleprompter,” Bieber noted. “I kinda took a risk… having to introduce Taylor Swift on top of that was kinda scary, but I mean, she’s amazing. She’s a really nice girl so, I was honored to be able to introduce her.”

Bieber was also honored to take part in Kidd Kraddick In The Morning’s “Band Camp.” For a week straight, the singer joined the morning show to help a group of kids form a band. Bieber notes that he enjoyed the experience, but in typical 15 year-old fashion, did have one complaint.

“The only crappy part was I had to wake up at like 5 in the morning, every single day,” Bieber said. He uses his iPhone as an alarm – and also as a way to connect with his fans. The same day he performed at the mall, uStream, a web site that allows for live web video chatting, sent Bieber an iPhone application that allows him to stream live video to the web site.

“I just got it today,” Bieber said, still kinda taken aback that uStream would send him the app before it makes it available to the general public. “But like, it’s cool that I can uStream from my phone.”

Bieber will then send the uStream link out to his Twitter followers, all 300,000 plus.

“I don’t know why (I have that many followers),” he joked. “I’m not that cool.”

EXCLUSIVE: All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth Talks Tours, Twitter, The VMA's

By even his own account, he stretched the truth, but that didn’t stop All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth from describing the band’s upcoming fall tour as a “spectacle on wheels.”

“A little bit like Cirque du Soleil, minus leotards, plus alcohol and tattoos,” described Gaskarth of The Glamour Kills Tour. “And still maybe a few backflips, I dunno.”

The lead singer eventually toned down the hyperbole, but point taken – the upcoming trek, which includes supporting acts We The Kings, Hey Monday, and The Friday Night Boys - will be a sight to behold. The tour is comprised of 41 dates, kicking off in Hartford, CT, moving west, and the ending back east in Philadelphia.

Not too shabby for a band that just a mere two years ago, played the Smartpunk Stage at Vans Warped Tour. Since that time, All Time Low has opened for Fall Out Boy, toured Europe, and landed a sweet record deal that affords them a healthy amount of radio promotion. The band itself built up quite a following in the process. You know you’re big when someone starts a Twitter account on behalf of… your hair.
---
Download the mp3


---
“I’ve been made aware of it. It’s not anyone that I know,” revealed Gaskarth of the Twitter account, whose username is conveniently enough, “gaskarthsHair.” “Yunno, more power to ‘em. If they want to speak on behalf of my hair, they’re entitled to.”

Among the other perks of the fame: invites to award shows. Alex and crew were at the MTV VMA’s, and the front man thought Lady GaGa’s performance was “phenomenal.”

“They did a good job of sort of adapting that already-strange video in to an even stranger and harder to understand stage performance,” said Gaskarth. But she has the most phenomenal live voice. I give that girl props.”

Not so phenomenal: the antics of a one KanYe West. Alex likened his first reaction to that of everyone else’s inside Radio City Music Hall.

“Everyone gasped, everyone rolled their eyes, everybody sighed, and everybody forgot about it.”

But unfortunately for West, Alex is incorrect on one point – as no one has forgotten it.

VIDEO: Obama Calls KanYe a Jackass

I will admit, this is not a good look for the media, when we have reporters for major, national outlets leaking off the record quotes from our President via Twitter, audio, and now video.

Refreshingly honest and on-point, nonetheless.

President Obama/KanYe Multimedia

You could easily kill 20 minutes on this one. Enjoy.

Here is audio of Mr. President calling West a "jackass" before a CNBC interview - courtesy of TMZ.

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.
---

Part 1: His New Life Thanks To KanYe, Sneaker Collection, Coldstone Creamery

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

---
“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.”

EXCLUSIVE: Amber Rose (Kanye's Girl?) Backstage at Weezy's Show

South Philly-born Amber Rose showed up at opening night of the America's Most Wanted Music Festival. The model and former exotic dancer has appeared in videos and print campaigns with Young Jeezy and Kanye West, and has been romantically linked to West as well.

Rose recently appeared with West in a Louis Vuitton ad.

DAILY DOWNLOADS: New from Mr. Hudson ft. KanYe West, L.M.F.A.O., Drake

06.24.09 : Mr. Hudson f. KanYe West - Supernova
06.23.09 : L.M.F.A.O. - Yes
06.22.09 : Drake - Best I Ever Had

EXCLUSIVE: Keri Hilson Reveals The Real Story Behind "Knock You Down"

Singer/songwriter Keri Hilson reveals the true story behind her track with kanye West & Ne-Yo, "Knock You Down". She also talks about traveling, making the transition to artist, and working with Britney Spears.

Part 1: Traveling, Story Behind "Knock You Down"

Part 2: Writing for Britney, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em "Collab"

---
Keri Hilson’s most uncharacteristic moment may prove to me the most career shaping in her transition from songwriter to singer, yielding the biggest track from In A Perfect World… in the process.

While Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records prepared to press the final album cut in Los Angeles, Hilson found herself in New York – working with Kanye West on a viral commercial to promote the LP. “Miss Keri Baby” wanted ‘Ye on the album, but he didn’t make the version sent to L.A. Then West asked Hilson how the album was coming.

”I’m completely tongue-in-cheek at this point,” admits Hilson. “I said, ‘Well, the only thing missing on this album is you.’”

Hilson didn’t expect the spur-of-the-moment honesty, nor did she expect West’s response.

“He said, ‘Is there anything I can do tonight?’” Hilson recalled. “I was like, ‘Oh, my, God. Let’s book the studio right now before he changes his mind!’”

With Kanye and herself now accounted for, Hilson needed the final piece of the puzzle: Ne-Yo.

“He was about to go film a movie in Prague. We called him, he wanted to do it but he was leaving the country the next day. He had literally an hour break in his schedule.”

Thankfully for Hilson, the R&B crooner can work quick, and on the spot. Keri’s manager flew to Miami, waited with a car service in tow at the studio as Ne-Yo wrote and recorded his verse, and jetted back to L.A. with the audio files on a hard drive.

”We had to push (the release date) back, and it cost us a bit,” revealed Hilson. “But it was worth it, and thank God the album is doing so well that (Interscope) don’t care anymore.”

It’s quite a change in pace for Hilson, prior to this LP worked mostly as a songwriter and back-up vocalist, penning tracks for the likes of Ludacris and Britney Spears – notably Spears’ “Gimme More” and “Break The Ice” off of Breakout.

“I love to see the 180 (degree) turn because when we worked, it was a tumultuous time in her life,” Hilson said. “She was pregnant with her second child, seven months pregnant mind you, so focused, in a booth. It just showed me how dedicated she was to her craft.”

Keri relates – the singer/songwriter is so married to music that she just invites herself on tracks – namely Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em’s “Turn My Swag On.” There were murmurs that Hilson’s impromptu cameo would be combined with Lil’ Wayne’s official remix for a “megamix” of sorts, but she believes that may not be in the cards.

“It was supposed to be the three of us, and we haven’t shot the video yet, so I guess it’s not going to happen,” Hilson noted, with a bit of disappointment in her tone.

But, it’s almost never to late in this business for anything to happen – and if anyone knows that, it’s Keri herself.

EXCLUSIVE: Kid Cudi comments on Kanye/South Park parody, changes CD title

Download the mp3

"Day 'N Nite" rapper Kid Cudi calls up The Ralphie Radio Show to chat about his hit single, new CD, and KanYe West.

In an interview on, “The Ralphie Radio Show”, hip-hop artist Kid Cudi announced that the title of his album is now, Man On The Moon: The End of Day – a switch from Man On The Moon: The Guardian.

”The Guardian concept was solely gonna be based around my features,” Cudi, real name Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, explained. “Bein’ that I changed it up so that I was gonna have less features, I wanted to change the story up so that it’d be more focused on me.”

Certainly this makes sense for the Cleveland-born emcee, whose major label debut LP drops August 25. Although, the amount of features might have remained the same, if it were not for both Lily Allen and Outkast’s Andre 3000 declining cameo requests. Cudi cited scheduling conflicts as the reason the artists would not be on the album. But, Kanye West’s protégé is “OK” with that – as the change in direction forces Cudi to center the CD on his own skills.

“It just made me realize that I should focus more on my writing, me putting together records, knowing that I have to show and prove.”

At least as far as writing – Kid’s already done just that – first by co-writing a top 5 hit for the aforementioned West in “Heartless”. Although he’s seen bits and pieces, Cudi did not watch the entire Kanye parody on South Park, complete with the track, “Gay Fish” – a take on “Heartless.”

“Every icon gets made fun of,” said Cudi. “Yunno, it was witty – okay, they thought it was witty, okay… you can’t necessarily beat yourself up about it.”

ATTORNEY JANELL WEINSTEIN: Kanye Might Settle Out Of Court

Download the mp3

Attorney Janell Weinstein broke down the various legal aspects of the Kanye West/TMZ photog case on The Ralphie Radio Show.

Visit Ms. Weinstein on the web here.
Read more about the case here.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: The Fray - Heartless (Kanye Cover)

03.18.09 : The Fray - Heartless (Kanye Cover)

Kanye Is A True Artist

Love or hate him, you got to respect the old school hustle and commitment of this guy. Lovin' this new video as well, for Welcome To Heartbreak. Vimeo shoutout!

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.

RALPHIE REPORT: T.I. Exclusive...

The following will appear in The Weekender, which hits newsstands this Wednesday.
---
His jail sentence may be imminent; his music and acting career may be flourishing; but don’t think for a second that rapper T.I. may have mixed up his priorities.

The platinum-selling artist called up The Ralphie Radio Show exclusively last week, talking about a wide array of topics – from his scheduled performance at the Wachovia Arena on December 29, to acting career and his plans for the holiday season.

“We’ve been looking forward to doing something, and we look forward to doing more in the future,” T.I. revealed about his cameo on Season 5 of HBO’s Entourage. The rapper played himself in a small, yet hilarious scene across from actor Jeremy Piven, known on the show as super-agent Ari Gold.

But the Atlanta-born artist isn’t all business.

“Just spend (Christmas) with my family, and try and grant all of the wishes of my kids,” T.I. replied when asked of his plans for December 25, four days before he heads to Wilkes-Barre. “And try to give back to the community. We always try to give away about a thousand bikes on Bankhead (Atlanta) in the hood; every year… we make sure everybody in the hood got something.”

The rapper, real name Clifford Harris Jr., received a number of gifts this year: most of the positive ones stem from his LP “Paper Trail”, already spawning the number-one hits, “Whatever You Like” and “Live Your Life”, which features Rihanna.

The latter actually wouldn’t have come to fruition without a couple gifts, thanks in part to the Barbados-born bombshell as well as the man responsible for sampling the “Numa Numa” song.

“I can’t take no credit for the sample man, that’s all Just Blaze,” T.I.P admitted. “He brought me the track, and you know, I gave my contribution to the record. Rihanna did her thing. She seemed perfect for it, and when she agreed to do it, I think it took the record to another level.”

With Rihanna’s recent track record, no pun intended, of hits, as well as the performance that preceded the release of the LP, T.I.’s assessment of her addition to the song couldn’t be more correct. This is reaffirmed in news that broke this week: Kanye West will re-release the track, “Paranoid” off of “808’s and Heartbreaks” with RiRi featured on it.

Speaking of Yeezy, T.I. also talked about a track that he admits to rocking out to… yes, one of his own, the star-studded “Swagga Like Us.”

“I think all the music I do man, I do it because, you know, it’s something that I can appreciate as well as something I feel that the fans can appreciate,” T.I. told me regarding the song.

On the track, Lil Wayne, who shares the record with T.I., West, and Jay-Z, shouts out NBA Superstar and fellow Syracuse University alum Carmelo Anthony. Certainly Anthony and T.I.P. could be compared right… two superstars attempting to capture Mainstream America while maintaining street cred?

“(Laughing) Yeah I guess I’d have to agree, I guess the facts would show just as you stated.”

That really is the “type of ish that make them call you Carmelo.”
---
Listen to Ralphie Aversa weekdays from 5-10p on 97 BHT.