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.
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1.19.2010
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.
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.
1.18.2010
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 "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.
---
Listen to the audio below, and check The RRS blog later for the interview in its entirety:
---
"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 $5 to Yele Haiti - a grassroots foundation started by singer Wyclef Jean to aid the country.
1.14.2010
The Country Side of Ke$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
1.12.2010
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
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.
1.09.2010
TMZ'S DAX: Leno To Return To Late Night Timeslot
Download the mp3 
Catch Dax on TMZ TV - Local listings here.
Check out the article here.
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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Download the mp3
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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.”
“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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Download the mp3
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.”
1.07.2010
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.”
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.
---
Part 1: CD Release Party Shut Down By Po-Po, Living In Her Car
Part 2: Animal, "Right Round", Katy Perry's Engagement
---
“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!
12.30.2009
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.
12.21.2009
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.
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
Download the mp3 
Catch Leslie on TMZ TV - Local listings here.
Check out the article here.
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
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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.
“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."
12.18.2009
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.
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.
"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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“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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Download the mp3
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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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Download the mp3
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.”
“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.
---
Download the mp3
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.”
12.17.2009
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.
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.
EXCLUSIVE: Kid Cudi Off Of Lady GaGa Tour (Original Report)
Okay, before I get in to the story, let's post this:
That is a screen shot of my blog earlier today with the story that I initially broke in regards to Kid Cudi. If you read the screen shot, you know the details of the story. A source at Interscope Records confirmed to me that Kid Cudi was no longer on Lady GaGa's tour. They did not specify whether Cudi left or was asked to leave, but according to my source, this incident in Vancouver may have played a role.
The story posted to the blog at 2:25PM EST on December 16, 2009.
That is a screen shot of my blog earlier today with the story that I initially broke in regards to Kid Cudi. If you read the screen shot, you know the details of the story. A source at Interscope Records confirmed to me that Kid Cudi was no longer on Lady GaGa's tour. They did not specify whether Cudi left or was asked to leave, but according to my source, this incident in Vancouver may have played a role.
The story posted to the blog at 2:25PM EST on December 16, 2009.
I posted the article and immediately distributed the link via e-mail, Facebook, & Twitter. It wasn't long before both MTV and TMZ got wind. Next thing, Interscope received calls. Next thing, I received a call, and was asked to take it down. I was told that some type of official statement was forthcoming.
Please keep in mind, I did nothing wrong - I was never asked not to talk about the information I received, and all parties involved were aware that I was a radio show host. Nonetheless, I obliged. Essentially, I accomplished my mission: to break the story first.
When you report on a story, you have to put all personal feelings aside. Interscope Records has always, always treated me well. Interview with Lady GaGa, New Kids On The Block, Keri Hilson, Ryan Tedder... I could go on... all not possible without some level of cooperation from Interscope.
When you report on a story, you have to put all personal feelings aside. Interscope Records has always, always treated me well. Interview with Lady GaGa, New Kids On The Block, Keri Hilson, Ryan Tedder... I could go on... all not possible without some level of cooperation from Interscope.
That being said, I value my relationship with the label a great deal, and therefore took the link down. It's now back up in a different form - because clearly the story is out there, so whether it's up on my blog is neither here nor there at this point. Kid Cudi released a statement. The storyline has come to a close.
Why repost? My good friends at TMZ linked to The RRS blog. I'm saving that story for a different post. Long story short, I didn't want TMZ to look out of place for linking to my blog, considering the story was missing from it when the link was put up.
Tomorrow on The RRS... we'll speak with Michael Sharpe, the student who was punched, and get his reaction to the incident.
12.16.2009
DAILY DOWNLOAD: "A Holiday Benefit, Vol. 3" Spreads Holiday Cheer For Good Cause
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Singer/songwriter Benjamin Wagner checked in to The RRS to chat about "A Holiday Benefit, Vol. 3" - a compilation of seasonal songs that is sold with proceeds benefiting 826, a nonprofit tutoring, writing, and publishing organization with locations in seven cities across the country.
Check out 826 National here.
Purchase A Holiday Benefit, Vol. 3 here.
The video for the compilation single, a cover of "Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You" is below:
Singer/songwriter Benjamin Wagner checked in to The RRS to chat about "A Holiday Benefit, Vol. 3" - a compilation of seasonal songs that is sold with proceeds benefiting 826, a nonprofit tutoring, writing, and publishing organization with locations in seven cities across the country.
Check out 826 National here.
Purchase A Holiday Benefit, Vol. 3 here.
The video for the compilation single, a cover of "Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You" is below:
RRS EXCLUSIVE: Michael Sharpe Says Alleged Kid Cudi Manager Reaches Out
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Days after allegedly being on the receiving end of a haymaker from Kid Cudi during a show in Vancouver, 19 year-old Michael Sharpe called The RRS to explain why he won't press charges, and how Cudi's people may in fact be reaching out to him...
Video of the incident is below:
Days after allegedly being on the receiving end of a haymaker from Kid Cudi during a show in Vancouver, 19 year-old Michael Sharpe called The RRS to explain why he won't press charges, and how Cudi's people may in fact be reaching out to him...
Video of the incident is below:
12.15.2009
EXCLUSIVE: Former Yanks PR Head Rick Cerrone on Tiger Woods
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Rick Cerrone manned what Sports Illustrated called, "The Hottest Seat in Sports." As the Yankees' Senior Director of Media Relations from 1996 through 2006, he worked side by side with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment. Cerrone checked in to The RRS to offer his thoughts on Tiger Woods' indefinite hiatus from golf.
Visit Rick's official website here.
Rick Cerrone manned what Sports Illustrated called, "The Hottest Seat in Sports." As the Yankees' Senior Director of Media Relations from 1996 through 2006, he worked side by side with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment. Cerrone checked in to The RRS to offer his thoughts on Tiger Woods' indefinite hiatus from golf.
Visit Rick's official website here.
12.14.2009
HUFFINGTON POST: Bill Bellamy Talks Tiger
The Gatorade comment at the beginning is priceless, can't wait to run it back on The RRS...
Click here for the clip.
Click here for the clip.
Lady GaGa Relates To Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera
As if I didn't need another reason to play her music more on the show...
TMZ'S LESLIE HARRIS: Jersey Shore's Advertising Woes
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Catch Leslie on TMZ TV - Local listings here.
The advertisers of Jersey Shore are jumping aboard and off ship faster than you can say, "hair gel." TMZ's Leslie Harris elaborated.
Catch Leslie on TMZ TV - Local listings here.
WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: Playing Hard To Get
Download the mp3
Visit The Wingman MySpace, Facebook, & Twitter.
The Wingman explains how some women play hard to get.
Visit The Wingman MySpace, Facebook, & Twitter.
DR. PAUL SCHIENBERG: 4 Ridic Reasons Girls Dump Guys
Download the mp3
More on Dr. Paul here.
Read the article here.
Dr. Paul, author of "You Can't Afford to Break Up: How an Empty Wallet and a Dirty Mind Can Save Your Relationship", shared his thoughts on this article during The RRS.
More on Dr. Paul here.
Read the article here.
12.02.2009
Gabe Saporta Tweets About His RRS Interview...
Aw shucks... thanks Gabe... and I thought that drink the tour manager handed him after our interview was his first of the night!
"I haven't seen this interview w/@ralphieaversa yet, but from what I remember of it (umm..not much), it was he lazarus! http://bit.ly/6yzKrf"
The permalink to the tweet is here. Gabe's twitter is here. Mine is here. Interview is on the blog, yo.
"I haven't seen this interview w/@ralphieaversa yet, but from what I remember of it (umm..not much), it was he lazarus! http://bit.ly/6yzKrf"
The permalink to the tweet is here. Gabe's twitter is here. Mine is here. Interview is on the blog, yo.
Lady GaGa Interviewed By John Norris
This is part three of five... very in depth, lots of substance. Love her thoughts on electronic music having soul. Much props to John Norris on this.
WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: 1 Year Anniversary
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The Wingman celebrates 1 year of creepin' on The Ralphie Radio Show - here's a compilation of his greatest hits... and misses.
Visit The Wingman on MySpace, Twitter, or Facebook.
The Wingman celebrates 1 year of creepin' on The Ralphie Radio Show - here's a compilation of his greatest hits... and misses.
Visit The Wingman on MySpace, Twitter, or Facebook.
11.30.2009
AUDIO: Brad Wilson, BradsDeals.com
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He scours the net for the best deals, then posts them for your benefit. Brad Wilson, founder of BradsDeals.com, weighs in on holiday shopping, Black Friday, & Cyber Monday on The RRS.
He scours the net for the best deals, then posts them for your benefit. Brad Wilson, founder of BradsDeals.com, weighs in on holiday shopping, Black Friday, & Cyber Monday on The RRS.
EXCLUSIVE: Cobra Starship's Gabe Saporta Talks Touring, Hot Mess, & Pete Wentz
From the outset, it seems as if Gabe Saporta is having the time of his life, and you really can’t blame him.
The band he fronts, Cobra Starship, just wrapped up a tour with Boys Like Girls, scored a Top 10 hit in “Good Girls Go Bad”, and was even paid a high compliment from the lead singer of a band they idolize; Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo told MTV News he’d most like to tour with Cobra, out of any band, dead or alive. But as exciting as all of the aforementioned is, Saporta seems just as pumped about everything else in his life – whether it’s having a picture of his face tattooed on his boss’s leg, or receiving a Red Bull and vodka from his tour manager after a taxing set.
During our ten minute chat, Saporta chatted openly about Hot Mess, the tour, and Decaydance Records head honcho Pete Wentz. Twice during the interview, he called over to Boys Like Girls, prompting lead singer Martin Johnson to join in our conversation for a second and drummer John Keefe to claim he was too busy with his own interview (truth be told, no one was interviewing him, but a BLG camera crew caught it all on tape). Never did Gabe look or sound tired… despite stepping off the hot, muggy stage of the Crocodile Rock Café in Allentown just prior to sitting down with The Ralphie Radio Show.
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Download the mp3
Part 1:
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“Backstage shenanigans, non –stop bro,” proclaimed Saporta, before mockingly stating, “If Ralphie would hang out, but he’s gotta be (back home), his mom’s making lasagna.”
Actually, I had a club appearance. I might have taken a rain check on the lasagna (no offense, Ma) to hang out with these guys. It seems the party-vibe exhibited in Cobra’s latest LP isn’t a far stretch from the musicians themselves. Saporta told me that the band holed up for a few weeks in, of all places, The Poconos, to record the album. While “Hot Mess” has a negative connotation in our society, the lead singer feels that Cobra Starship is shifting the definition with the new LP and title track.
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Part 2:
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“For me, (hot mess) is awesome,” said Saporta. “Kate Moss, that girl’s a hot mess! She’s bangin’, but like, you’ll find YouTube videos of her doing drugs. And she loses her endorsements because she’s a hot mess. That’s rock ‘n roll.”
It seems for now though that the LP will be defined by “Good Girls Go Bad” which features Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester. The record gained more traction on-air and in the club when a remix hit the Internets with a new verse from rapper Flo-Rida.
“I’ll tell ya where it came from, outta nowhere,” admitted Saporta. “Mike Caren, he’s a top dude at Atlantic (Records), really sweet dude. He discovered Flo-Rida. He’s like, ‘Yo man, I can get Flo to do a rhyme on one of your songs. You just gotta promise to do a trade later on.’”
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Part 3:
The band he fronts, Cobra Starship, just wrapped up a tour with Boys Like Girls, scored a Top 10 hit in “Good Girls Go Bad”, and was even paid a high compliment from the lead singer of a band they idolize; Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo told MTV News he’d most like to tour with Cobra, out of any band, dead or alive. But as exciting as all of the aforementioned is, Saporta seems just as pumped about everything else in his life – whether it’s having a picture of his face tattooed on his boss’s leg, or receiving a Red Bull and vodka from his tour manager after a taxing set.
During our ten minute chat, Saporta chatted openly about Hot Mess, the tour, and Decaydance Records head honcho Pete Wentz. Twice during the interview, he called over to Boys Like Girls, prompting lead singer Martin Johnson to join in our conversation for a second and drummer John Keefe to claim he was too busy with his own interview (truth be told, no one was interviewing him, but a BLG camera crew caught it all on tape). Never did Gabe look or sound tired… despite stepping off the hot, muggy stage of the Crocodile Rock Café in Allentown just prior to sitting down with The Ralphie Radio Show.
---
Download the mp3
Part 1:
---
“Backstage shenanigans, non –stop bro,” proclaimed Saporta, before mockingly stating, “If Ralphie would hang out, but he’s gotta be (back home), his mom’s making lasagna.”
Actually, I had a club appearance. I might have taken a rain check on the lasagna (no offense, Ma) to hang out with these guys. It seems the party-vibe exhibited in Cobra’s latest LP isn’t a far stretch from the musicians themselves. Saporta told me that the band holed up for a few weeks in, of all places, The Poconos, to record the album. While “Hot Mess” has a negative connotation in our society, the lead singer feels that Cobra Starship is shifting the definition with the new LP and title track.
---
Part 2:
---
“For me, (hot mess) is awesome,” said Saporta. “Kate Moss, that girl’s a hot mess! She’s bangin’, but like, you’ll find YouTube videos of her doing drugs. And she loses her endorsements because she’s a hot mess. That’s rock ‘n roll.”
It seems for now though that the LP will be defined by “Good Girls Go Bad” which features Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester. The record gained more traction on-air and in the club when a remix hit the Internets with a new verse from rapper Flo-Rida.
“I’ll tell ya where it came from, outta nowhere,” admitted Saporta. “Mike Caren, he’s a top dude at Atlantic (Records), really sweet dude. He discovered Flo-Rida. He’s like, ‘Yo man, I can get Flo to do a rhyme on one of your songs. You just gotta promise to do a trade later on.’”
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Part 3:
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Caren explained to Gabe that a trade meant in exchange for Flo-Rida rapping on “Good Girls Go Bad” – Saporta would have to hop on one of the rapper’s tracks.
“I’m like, ‘Lemme think about that? DUH!’” exclaimed Saporta. “Whenever he wants some cool punk rock singing on one of his songs, I’m in there like swimwear.”
The track also yielded the latest in the ongoing ribbing between Gabe and Wentz. Saporta set the record straight on The RRS, stating that the official bet was if “Good Girls Go Bad” went number one on the iTunes chart, the Fall Out Boy bassist would let Saporta pick his next tattoo.
Although for only 30 seconds, the song hit the top of the chart, confirmed by numerous screen captures. Saporta picked his third grade class photo as the tattoo for Wentz.
“Even though Pete Wentz is my friend, he’s also the boss man. And sometimes the record guys… they stop returning your calls if your record doesn’t do well,” explained Saporta. “So I’m thinking, ‘Yo, if I got Pete’s tattoo of my face on his leg man, he’s always gonna have to return my calls.”
Sure he’s never one to look back, but given his present, you have to at least give Saporta props for his foresight – even though it doesn’t look as if Cobra Starship will have a hard time snagging Wentz’s attention in the immediate future.
Caren explained to Gabe that a trade meant in exchange for Flo-Rida rapping on “Good Girls Go Bad” – Saporta would have to hop on one of the rapper’s tracks.
“I’m like, ‘Lemme think about that? DUH!’” exclaimed Saporta. “Whenever he wants some cool punk rock singing on one of his songs, I’m in there like swimwear.”
The track also yielded the latest in the ongoing ribbing between Gabe and Wentz. Saporta set the record straight on The RRS, stating that the official bet was if “Good Girls Go Bad” went number one on the iTunes chart, the Fall Out Boy bassist would let Saporta pick his next tattoo.
Although for only 30 seconds, the song hit the top of the chart, confirmed by numerous screen captures. Saporta picked his third grade class photo as the tattoo for Wentz.
“Even though Pete Wentz is my friend, he’s also the boss man. And sometimes the record guys… they stop returning your calls if your record doesn’t do well,” explained Saporta. “So I’m thinking, ‘Yo, if I got Pete’s tattoo of my face on his leg man, he’s always gonna have to return my calls.”
Sure he’s never one to look back, but given his present, you have to at least give Saporta props for his foresight – even though it doesn’t look as if Cobra Starship will have a hard time snagging Wentz’s attention in the immediate future.
EXCLUSIVE: Boys Like Girls On Twitter, Taylor Swift, & Thanksgiving
Just because Martin Johnson tweets, doesn’t mean the Boys Like Girls front man thinks the micro-blogging service is doing anyone any good.
“I think Twitter is really stupid,” said Johnson during an interview on The Ralphie Radio Show. I chatted with the lead singer and guitarist Paul DiGiovanni before another stop on BLG’s headlining fall trek with Cobra Starship. “I think it’s ruining America’s youth.”
Quickly I retorted that Johnson himself owns an account, with over 35,000 “followers.”
“You have to do a Twitter if you’re in a band… keep people updated,” explained Johnson. “Dude, people don’t talk to each other anymore. You go to a show, and kids, like, are texting each other… it’s scary man.”
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Download the mp3
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I asked Johnson if he’s apprehensive to send out updates, or is even tempted to cancel his account all together. He began to answer before cutting himself off, admitting that he can become “preachy” and “annoying” about the subject. DiGiovanni then chimed in.
“It’s just another way for people to communicate with each other and contact each other,” said the guitarist. “I don’t think it’s gonna be bad.”
Social networking and it’s affect on our country wasn’t the only subject spoken about during the interview. Of course, the guys talked about the latest single from Love Drunk, “Two Is Better Than One”, featuring Taylor Swift.
“It felt, when we made (“Two Is Better Than One”), like it was something special,” revealed Johnson. “The song was fully produced and we were like, ‘It’s missing something so bad,’ and we had been friends with Taylor for a couple years. John (Keefe) actually played on Fearless. So we called her up and asked her to do it, and as soon as we got her voice on there it was just like, ‘Oh man, this is something special.’”
“I think Twitter is really stupid,” said Johnson during an interview on The Ralphie Radio Show. I chatted with the lead singer and guitarist Paul DiGiovanni before another stop on BLG’s headlining fall trek with Cobra Starship. “I think it’s ruining America’s youth.”
Quickly I retorted that Johnson himself owns an account, with over 35,000 “followers.”
“You have to do a Twitter if you’re in a band… keep people updated,” explained Johnson. “Dude, people don’t talk to each other anymore. You go to a show, and kids, like, are texting each other… it’s scary man.”
---
Download the mp3
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I asked Johnson if he’s apprehensive to send out updates, or is even tempted to cancel his account all together. He began to answer before cutting himself off, admitting that he can become “preachy” and “annoying” about the subject. DiGiovanni then chimed in.
“It’s just another way for people to communicate with each other and contact each other,” said the guitarist. “I don’t think it’s gonna be bad.”
Social networking and it’s affect on our country wasn’t the only subject spoken about during the interview. Of course, the guys talked about the latest single from Love Drunk, “Two Is Better Than One”, featuring Taylor Swift.
“It felt, when we made (“Two Is Better Than One”), like it was something special,” revealed Johnson. “The song was fully produced and we were like, ‘It’s missing something so bad,’ and we had been friends with Taylor for a couple years. John (Keefe) actually played on Fearless. So we called her up and asked her to do it, and as soon as we got her voice on there it was just like, ‘Oh man, this is something special.’”
THE MAINE In Studio!
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The fellas, on tour with Cobra Starship & Boys Like Girls, made some time for The RRS...
11.18.2009
EXCLUSIVE: Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz To Make Big Announcement Before Year's End
You know when Pete Wentz starts paraphrasing Jay-Z, he means business. Actually, I wasn’t sure what the Fall Out Boy bassist meant when he dropped this during our conversation – but I think we’re all about to find out soon.
“People are gonna be really sick about the next deal I make,” said Wentz, who is also the head of Decaydance Records. “If people felt weird about the last one, people are gonna feel real weird about the next one.”
I asked Wentz to elaborate on his “On To The Next One” reference, and well… he at least continued.
“It’s got nothing to do with Fall Out Boy or Island Def Jam,” Wentz admitted. “It’s gonna be different, and it’s gonna make people feel sick, or happy.”
The only timeline Wentz gave to the big announcement is that it will not happen on Thanksgiving or Christmas, but will happen before the end of the year. He said that everyone is a little lost on what’s happening, but that he’s going through with it – whatever it is – anyways.
Interestingly enough, shortly after our conversation, he posted this Twitter update, "I kinda lost my mind for real. Not really looking for it either".
Wentz called in to The Ralphie Radio Show to promote Believers Never Die: Greatest Hits. The FOB compilation hit stores and iTunes on Tuesday, and features two new tracks.
“Ahh man… funny question, yunno?” Wentz responded when I asked why the band released a “best of” album at this particular moment in time. “Fourth quarter. Labels like to put out greatest hits in the fourth quarter, don’t they? And ‘why now?’ because it’s like, the band doesn’t have enough hits to have a greatest hits. And ‘why now?’ because maybe it’s like, you have a contract you want to get out of. We asked ourselves all those questions, and then decided to put it out as something for the fans.”
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Part 1: Believers Never Die: Greatest Hits, "Alpha Dog"
Part 2: Hair Cut, Future Plans, Angels & Kings (Wentz's NYC Bar)
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The timing is also curious given that Fall Out Boy as a band is currently on a hiatus, or as Wentz told MTV News the night before – a “decompressing.” So, while supporters may not have new material in the immediate future, they will have two new songs from the release, including the first single, “Alpha Dog.”
“We felt like (“Alpha Dog”) didn’t fit in,” Wentz reasoned as to why the track didn’t appear on Folie A Deux. The song did pop up on a mixtape the label head released prior to Fall Out Boy’s last LP. “It felt too electronic. At the time it felt futuristic, now it feels it is the right time for it.”
And oh how the times have changed. Wentz is 30, with a child and a wife, and will be living in New York for at least the next 13 weeks. His spouse, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, makes her Broadway debut on November 30 in the musical, “Chicago.” For Wentz, this will translate to more time with his son. Bronx Mowgli Wentz turns 1 on Friday. This will probably also find the entrepreneur with more opportunities to manage and appear at his New York bar, Angels and Kings. The drinking establishment might be to blame for the slow, sometimes rambling responses I received from Wentz throughout our chat.
“I was there, in my head, last night,” Wentz said. “But I don’t think I was there, in reality.”
“People are gonna be really sick about the next deal I make,” said Wentz, who is also the head of Decaydance Records. “If people felt weird about the last one, people are gonna feel real weird about the next one.”
I asked Wentz to elaborate on his “On To The Next One” reference, and well… he at least continued.
“It’s got nothing to do with Fall Out Boy or Island Def Jam,” Wentz admitted. “It’s gonna be different, and it’s gonna make people feel sick, or happy.”
The only timeline Wentz gave to the big announcement is that it will not happen on Thanksgiving or Christmas, but will happen before the end of the year. He said that everyone is a little lost on what’s happening, but that he’s going through with it – whatever it is – anyways.
Interestingly enough, shortly after our conversation, he posted this Twitter update, "I kinda lost my mind for real. Not really looking for it either".
Wentz called in to The Ralphie Radio Show to promote Believers Never Die: Greatest Hits. The FOB compilation hit stores and iTunes on Tuesday, and features two new tracks.
“Ahh man… funny question, yunno?” Wentz responded when I asked why the band released a “best of” album at this particular moment in time. “Fourth quarter. Labels like to put out greatest hits in the fourth quarter, don’t they? And ‘why now?’ because it’s like, the band doesn’t have enough hits to have a greatest hits. And ‘why now?’ because maybe it’s like, you have a contract you want to get out of. We asked ourselves all those questions, and then decided to put it out as something for the fans.”
---
Part 1: Believers Never Die: Greatest Hits, "Alpha Dog"
Part 2: Hair Cut, Future Plans, Angels & Kings (Wentz's NYC Bar)
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The timing is also curious given that Fall Out Boy as a band is currently on a hiatus, or as Wentz told MTV News the night before – a “decompressing.” So, while supporters may not have new material in the immediate future, they will have two new songs from the release, including the first single, “Alpha Dog.”
“We felt like (“Alpha Dog”) didn’t fit in,” Wentz reasoned as to why the track didn’t appear on Folie A Deux. The song did pop up on a mixtape the label head released prior to Fall Out Boy’s last LP. “It felt too electronic. At the time it felt futuristic, now it feels it is the right time for it.”
And oh how the times have changed. Wentz is 30, with a child and a wife, and will be living in New York for at least the next 13 weeks. His spouse, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, makes her Broadway debut on November 30 in the musical, “Chicago.” For Wentz, this will translate to more time with his son. Bronx Mowgli Wentz turns 1 on Friday. This will probably also find the entrepreneur with more opportunities to manage and appear at his New York bar, Angels and Kings. The drinking establishment might be to blame for the slow, sometimes rambling responses I received from Wentz throughout our chat.
“I was there, in my head, last night,” Wentz said. “But I don’t think I was there, in reality.”
EXCLUSIVE: Allison Iraheta To Make GMA Appearance
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American Idol finalist Allison Iraheta stopped by The RRS to play her new track and talk about her new LP, hitting stores on December 1.
EXCLUSIVE: Chris Daughtry On Kris Allen, New Single, Lady GaGa
No pun intended, but it is no surprise to the band Daughtry that the first two singles off of Leave This Town were co-written by Nickelback front man Chad Kroeger.
“Soon as we made the decision to put those on the record, we looked at it and goes, ‘That’ll probably be the first two singles,’” said lead singer Chris Daughtry, who sat down with me before performing at Wachovia Arena. “They’re great songs and we agree that they fit the bill.”
The group led off the sophomore LP with the single, “No Surprise”, followed by the latest, “Life After You.” Daughtry played the new track at both the American Music Awards and the halftime show of the Cowboys/Raiders game on Thanksgiving.
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Speaking of tracks co-written by the Idol alum – Daughtry also wrote a track for American Idol champ Kris Allen. Although previously reported that it would not make Allen’s final LP, Chris confirmed that the song will be included on the Wal-Mart exclusive version of self-titled album.
“It’s called ‘Send Me All Your Angels’ and it’s a great song,” remarked Daughtry. “At the end of the day, there’s songs on our record that didn’t make it either that we were bummed out about. We had 70 songs to weed through.”
“Soon as we made the decision to put those on the record, we looked at it and goes, ‘That’ll probably be the first two singles,’” said lead singer Chris Daughtry, who sat down with me before performing at Wachovia Arena. “They’re great songs and we agree that they fit the bill.”
The group led off the sophomore LP with the single, “No Surprise”, followed by the latest, “Life After You.” Daughtry played the new track at both the American Music Awards and the halftime show of the Cowboys/Raiders game on Thanksgiving.
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Download the mp3
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Speaking of tracks co-written by the Idol alum – Daughtry also wrote a track for American Idol champ Kris Allen. Although previously reported that it would not make Allen’s final LP, Chris confirmed that the song will be included on the Wal-Mart exclusive version of self-titled album.
“It’s called ‘Send Me All Your Angels’ and it’s a great song,” remarked Daughtry. “At the end of the day, there’s songs on our record that didn’t make it either that we were bummed out about. We had 70 songs to weed through.”
EXCLUSIVE: Creed's Scott Stapp On New Lifestyle, New LP
The reunion or comeback is a common storyline in music these days. The reunion or comeback that people actually care about is not.
For Scott Stapp, the lead singer of Creed, it almost didn’t come to fruition. Alleged alcohol and drug abuse drove everyone around him away – from family to band mates. Suddenly Stapp’s controversies were overshadowing his chops – and those vocals aren’t easily upstaged. But just before 2008, the front man began reaching out to his cohorts. By April of this year, the reunion was announced. Now, Creed is back, with a top selling album in Full Circle and comeback tour already under its belt.
“Thanks to all the fans out there, who stuck by us,” remarked Stapp, who called in to The Ralphie Radio Show. The lead singer sounded nothing like the guy who belted out powerhouses like, “My Sacrifice” and “Higher”, and everything like the guy that was just granted a new lease on life. Stapp took his time answering every question, not afraid to pause seconds between words, finding the right phrases to describe this new phase of his personal and professional life. He didn’t shy away from one query, and offered candid, honest responses throughout our 15 minute conversation.
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“I communicated that, in that there were some people around all of us, that had some really negative intentions,” said Stapp. “That was the context of that – (the band members) don’t have the heart… that’s not guys in this band… we were surrounded by a lot of people that, now we’re not.”
Stapp told me he’s looking forward to spending the holidays at home, with his kids and wife. Full Circle debuted at number two on the Billboard charts.
For Scott Stapp, the lead singer of Creed, it almost didn’t come to fruition. Alleged alcohol and drug abuse drove everyone around him away – from family to band mates. Suddenly Stapp’s controversies were overshadowing his chops – and those vocals aren’t easily upstaged. But just before 2008, the front man began reaching out to his cohorts. By April of this year, the reunion was announced. Now, Creed is back, with a top selling album in Full Circle and comeback tour already under its belt.
“Thanks to all the fans out there, who stuck by us,” remarked Stapp, who called in to The Ralphie Radio Show. The lead singer sounded nothing like the guy who belted out powerhouses like, “My Sacrifice” and “Higher”, and everything like the guy that was just granted a new lease on life. Stapp took his time answering every question, not afraid to pause seconds between words, finding the right phrases to describe this new phase of his personal and professional life. He didn’t shy away from one query, and offered candid, honest responses throughout our 15 minute conversation.
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“I can’t mislead ya,” Stapp began, in answering a question regarding life on the road since he curbed his substance abuse. “I-uh… I still had, at the time (of the tour) a glass of wine or so with my wife here and there, but, as far as being like it was back in the day… guess it made it a lot easier to have my wife and my family there.”
“I communicated that, in that there were some people around all of us, that had some really negative intentions,” said Stapp. “That was the context of that – (the band members) don’t have the heart… that’s not guys in this band… we were surrounded by a lot of people that, now we’re not.”
Stapp told me he’s looking forward to spending the holidays at home, with his kids and wife. Full Circle debuted at number two on the Billboard charts.
EXCLUSIVE: Down With Webster In Studio!
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Universal Motown's Down With Webster swung through The RRS to perform an acoustic version of "Rich Girl$" & chat about the track.
(Click above download link for interview audio)11.16.2009
EXCLUSIVE: Shontelle Preps New LP, Thought Rihanna Did "Great" on 20/20
In the days of Web 2.0 – you know you’ve made it when someone attempts to imitate you on Twitter. Bajan singer Shontelle fell a brief victim to an identity thief – or should I say, twief – on Wednesday evening. Coincidently enough, Ms. Layne stopped by The Ralphie Radio Show on the following day.
“This was not the first time,” revealed Shontelle. “We literally had to call the Twitter people and freak out, ‘cause we’ve like, submitted for verification so long ago. I guess it takes a minute, ‘cause there’s so many people they have to verify.”
The impersonator used the Twitter username “ShontelleLayne_”, simply moving the underscore from the real Shontelle’s handle of “Shontelle_Layne.” When Layne looked at the fake account’s timeline, she was shocked to find that this person began “tweeting” at Solange Knowles (singer, Beyoncé’s sister) and Rorrey Fenty (Rihanna’s brother) amongst other people.
As of late Sunday evening, Twitter had yet to verify Shontelle’s account. By “verifying” an account, Twitter places a notification in the upper right corner of the page, so that visitors know the account belongs to the person who they claim to be.
Of course, Layne didn’t need the Twitter incident as a sign that she’s making it in the entertainment industry. Surely opening up for Beyoncé overseas could help that argument. Layne opened for Jay-Z’s husband for about a month on the “I Am…” tour overseas. Shontelle entered the trek with the expectation that she wouldn’t even meet Beyoncé face-to-face, however the headliner proved the opener wrong on that thought.
“I just get this message, ‘Shontelle, go to Beyoncé’s room’” she recalled, noting that immediately she believed that something was wrong. “When I got in there (Beyoncé) was like, ‘No, I just wanted to like, hang out for a bit, because you know, you’ve been on this tour with me, and I haven’t really gotten the chance to tell you thank you for being on the tour, I haven’t really gotten the chance to tell you how talented I think you are.’”
Shontelle's feelings immediately switched from scared to shocked – one of the biggest pop stars in the world went out of her way to pay Layne high compliments on her singing, stage performance… even videos. From the sound of Layne’s recollection, “stunned” may be an understatement.
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Part 1: Twitter, Beyonce, Thanksgiving Day
Part 2: "Licky", Rihanna, New CD
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“I’m like, ‘You’re Beyoncé, why are you telling me this?’” said Shontelle. “Like, is this real? They couldn’t even get me in the room at first… because I was shaking,” she admitted, although Layne insists she wasn’t star struck as much as she was nervous about the meeting’s purpose.
Shontelle also admitted on The Ralphie Radio Show that she’s nervous about an upcoming event – the “T-Shirt” singer will take part in the halftime show in Detroit at the Lions/Packers game on Thanksgiving Sunday. Layne, along with other Universal Motown artists, will perform classic Motown hits in Motown. Shontelle would not divulge which song she is covering.
“If you watched Sister Act 2… you can take a hint from that,” she teased.
In addition to the performance, which will air to a national and international audience on FOX, Shontelle is preparing a new LP. The album is slated for a 2010 release, and Layne will only confirm collaborations with Mr. Hudson and Akon. The first single is a dance infused record called “Licky” – which Layne insists is inspired by desserts.
“Licky” isn’t the only new track from a Bajan artist – as Shontelle’s friend, the aforementioned Rihanna, is back with “Russian Roulette” and “Hard.” A week and a half ago, Rihanna appeared on 20/20 with Diane Sawyer to tell her side of the story. Layne told me that the interview was tough to watch.
“Honestly, it was like watching your little sister do a piano recital for the first time,” she said. “I was nervous. I was a wreck.”
The singer thought her former Cadet partner handled the situation on camera well.
“I thought she did great, actually,” remarked Shontelle. “And she said a lot more than I even thought she was gonna say. I’m really proud of her… I just want, them both really, to grow from this.”
“This was not the first time,” revealed Shontelle. “We literally had to call the Twitter people and freak out, ‘cause we’ve like, submitted for verification so long ago. I guess it takes a minute, ‘cause there’s so many people they have to verify.”
The impersonator used the Twitter username “ShontelleLayne_”, simply moving the underscore from the real Shontelle’s handle of “Shontelle_Layne.” When Layne looked at the fake account’s timeline, she was shocked to find that this person began “tweeting” at Solange Knowles (singer, Beyoncé’s sister) and Rorrey Fenty (Rihanna’s brother) amongst other people.
As of late Sunday evening, Twitter had yet to verify Shontelle’s account. By “verifying” an account, Twitter places a notification in the upper right corner of the page, so that visitors know the account belongs to the person who they claim to be.
Of course, Layne didn’t need the Twitter incident as a sign that she’s making it in the entertainment industry. Surely opening up for Beyoncé overseas could help that argument. Layne opened for Jay-Z’s husband for about a month on the “I Am…” tour overseas. Shontelle entered the trek with the expectation that she wouldn’t even meet Beyoncé face-to-face, however the headliner proved the opener wrong on that thought.
“I just get this message, ‘Shontelle, go to Beyoncé’s room’” she recalled, noting that immediately she believed that something was wrong. “When I got in there (Beyoncé) was like, ‘No, I just wanted to like, hang out for a bit, because you know, you’ve been on this tour with me, and I haven’t really gotten the chance to tell you thank you for being on the tour, I haven’t really gotten the chance to tell you how talented I think you are.’”
Shontelle's feelings immediately switched from scared to shocked – one of the biggest pop stars in the world went out of her way to pay Layne high compliments on her singing, stage performance… even videos. From the sound of Layne’s recollection, “stunned” may be an understatement.
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Part 1: Twitter, Beyonce, Thanksgiving Day
Part 2: "Licky", Rihanna, New CD
---
“I’m like, ‘You’re Beyoncé, why are you telling me this?’” said Shontelle. “Like, is this real? They couldn’t even get me in the room at first… because I was shaking,” she admitted, although Layne insists she wasn’t star struck as much as she was nervous about the meeting’s purpose.
Shontelle also admitted on The Ralphie Radio Show that she’s nervous about an upcoming event – the “T-Shirt” singer will take part in the halftime show in Detroit at the Lions/Packers game on Thanksgiving Sunday. Layne, along with other Universal Motown artists, will perform classic Motown hits in Motown. Shontelle would not divulge which song she is covering.
“If you watched Sister Act 2… you can take a hint from that,” she teased.
In addition to the performance, which will air to a national and international audience on FOX, Shontelle is preparing a new LP. The album is slated for a 2010 release, and Layne will only confirm collaborations with Mr. Hudson and Akon. The first single is a dance infused record called “Licky” – which Layne insists is inspired by desserts.
“Licky” isn’t the only new track from a Bajan artist – as Shontelle’s friend, the aforementioned Rihanna, is back with “Russian Roulette” and “Hard.” A week and a half ago, Rihanna appeared on 20/20 with Diane Sawyer to tell her side of the story. Layne told me that the interview was tough to watch.
“Honestly, it was like watching your little sister do a piano recital for the first time,” she said. “I was nervous. I was a wreck.”
The singer thought her former Cadet partner handled the situation on camera well.
“I thought she did great, actually,” remarked Shontelle. “And she said a lot more than I even thought she was gonna say. I’m really proud of her… I just want, them both really, to grow from this.”
11.11.2009
Sean Paul/Keri Hilson Show Cancelled
The Sean Paul concert with special guests Keri Hilson & Colby O'Donis on Friday, November 13 at the Wachovia Arena has been cancelled. Refunds are available at point of purchase.
The Creators of Pornaments on The RRS
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Would love to post links/photos... but I don't think my bosses would appreciate that... if you listen to the interview, you can find out where to snag more info on "Pornaments." Google searches always work too...
EXCLUSIVE: Sean Kingston Talks New LP, I-Yaz, Jason Derulo
Don’t expect a new single from Sean Kingston’s sophomore LP tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after.
Checking in to The Ralphie Radio Show via telephone, Kingston told me that Tomorrow is yesterday, as he is already in production on his third album.
“We’re gonna go to a brand new album, with some crazy joints,” revealed Kingston. “I’ve been so inspired that I’ve been in the studio… and I’ve been coming up with a lot of smashes.”
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The “Fire Burnin’” singer did confirm that J.R. Rotem is contributing to the new effort. Rotem produced the number one hit, “Whatcha Say” – a song performed by Jason Derulo but originally intended for Kingston’s album. Perhaps it’s that song, along with “Replay” – which is by Kingston’s artist I-Yaz, that inspired the new material.
Kingston closes out the year with the “Tomorrow Tour” and radio promo dates, and then will continue production on his next LP.
Checking in to The Ralphie Radio Show via telephone, Kingston told me that Tomorrow is yesterday, as he is already in production on his third album.
“We’re gonna go to a brand new album, with some crazy joints,” revealed Kingston. “I’ve been so inspired that I’ve been in the studio… and I’ve been coming up with a lot of smashes.”
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The “Fire Burnin’” singer did confirm that J.R. Rotem is contributing to the new effort. Rotem produced the number one hit, “Whatcha Say” – a song performed by Jason Derulo but originally intended for Kingston’s album. Perhaps it’s that song, along with “Replay” – which is by Kingston’s artist I-Yaz, that inspired the new material.
Kingston closes out the year with the “Tomorrow Tour” and radio promo dates, and then will continue production on his next LP.
EXCLUSIVE: Colby O'Donis Talks New Music Projects...
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The Grammy-nominated Colby O' checked in to the RRS to give us an update on his next music project...
11.09.2009
EXCLUSIVE: OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder On Possible Rihanna Collaboration, New OR Single
He’s the lead singer of OneRepublic. The guy’s band is currently on tour with Rob Thomas. The group is releasing a new LP this month. He’s also writing and producing some of the biggest hits on radio for some of the most popular artists. But if you’re Ryan Tedder, you know you’re busy when you miss the deadline for Rihanna’s new album.
“(Laughing) Man, that week literally, I was working on stuff, and they were closing out her record, and I just missed (the deadline) by the cusp,” Tedder revealed. OneRepublic’s front man called in to The Ralphie Radio Show while on the road, and sounded optimistic about a future opportunity to work with Rihanna. “I mean, I know they’ll be repackaging it at some point. Yunno, they repackage everything at some point, so. I talked to her label and I’m definitely gonna bring some heat for the reissue.”
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Part 1: Rihanna, Michael Bolton, Making Radio Hits
Part 2: Balancing OneRepublic/Side Projects, New LP, New Hit Predictions
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Rihanna’s last LP, Good Girl Gone Bad, spawned Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded, which included the mega hit, “Take A Bow.”Other projects that Tedder worked on included the new release from Leona Lewis (Tedder co-wrote “Bleeding Love”, and wrote her new single, “Happy”) and Adam Lambert’s For Your Entertainment. Tedder is responsible for the song, “Sleepwalker” – which he predicts will be a radio hit. Another big song prediction of Tedder’s is the next OneRepublic track, “Secrets”
“It connects, man,” Tedder noted of the song, which already reached the top of the iTunes sales charts overseas (The German movie, Zweiohrküken featured “Secrets” on its soundtrack). “We have a lot of high hopes for ‘Secrets’.”
While the song is reminiscent of the sound that made Dreaming Out Loud such a success, if it doesn’t take off in the States, it wouldn’t mark the first incorrect prediction by Tedder. The songwriter admits he is still learning the skill of marrying the right song to the right artist, and cited Jennifer Lopez’s “Do It Well” as an example.
“It sounded like such a hit for her,” said Tedder. “It was kind of one of those deals where, I think people just really didn’t care. They were kinda like, ‘Eh, J-Lo, whatever.’”
Clearly, Tedder hopes for a different reaction when OneRepublic releases their sophomore LP, Waking Up, on November 17.
“(Laughing) Man, that week literally, I was working on stuff, and they were closing out her record, and I just missed (the deadline) by the cusp,” Tedder revealed. OneRepublic’s front man called in to The Ralphie Radio Show while on the road, and sounded optimistic about a future opportunity to work with Rihanna. “I mean, I know they’ll be repackaging it at some point. Yunno, they repackage everything at some point, so. I talked to her label and I’m definitely gonna bring some heat for the reissue.”
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Part 1: Rihanna, Michael Bolton, Making Radio Hits
Part 2: Balancing OneRepublic/Side Projects, New LP, New Hit Predictions
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Rihanna’s last LP, Good Girl Gone Bad, spawned Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded, which included the mega hit, “Take A Bow.”Other projects that Tedder worked on included the new release from Leona Lewis (Tedder co-wrote “Bleeding Love”, and wrote her new single, “Happy”) and Adam Lambert’s For Your Entertainment. Tedder is responsible for the song, “Sleepwalker” – which he predicts will be a radio hit. Another big song prediction of Tedder’s is the next OneRepublic track, “Secrets”
“It connects, man,” Tedder noted of the song, which already reached the top of the iTunes sales charts overseas (The German movie, Zweiohrküken featured “Secrets” on its soundtrack). “We have a lot of high hopes for ‘Secrets’.”
While the song is reminiscent of the sound that made Dreaming Out Loud such a success, if it doesn’t take off in the States, it wouldn’t mark the first incorrect prediction by Tedder. The songwriter admits he is still learning the skill of marrying the right song to the right artist, and cited Jennifer Lopez’s “Do It Well” as an example.
“It sounded like such a hit for her,” said Tedder. “It was kind of one of those deals where, I think people just really didn’t care. They were kinda like, ‘Eh, J-Lo, whatever.’”
Clearly, Tedder hopes for a different reaction when OneRepublic releases their sophomore LP, Waking Up, on November 17.
EXCLUSIVE: Jordin Sparks Hadn't Heard "Let The Music Play" Until "S.O.S."
Of course, Jordin Sparks never thought that she would sample the 1983 hit “Let The Music Play” by Shannon for a track of her own. Before using the song, Sparks hadn’t even heard of it.
“I thought it was going to be really cool, just a different kind of experiment for me because I’ve never done like, a dance track before,” said Sparks, who called in to The Ralphie Radio Show from Los Angeles. “I played it for my mom and she was like, ‘Oh my god, I love this song!’ and I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ And she was like, ‘This is ‘Let The Music Play’ by Shannon!’ and I was just like, ‘Oh my goodness.’”
Sparks’ mom gave birth to Jordin 6 years after Shannon’s song burst on to the music scene. “S.O.S. (Let The Music Play)” is now Jordin’s second single from her sophomore LP, Battlefield. It’s the second album released since Sparks won American Idol Season 6 – at age 17. She is the youngest winner of the reality show in its seven season history. Now, at age 19, she is not only an Idol champ, but an American Music Awards winner, a Grammy nominee, and an opener for such acts as Alicia Keys, the Jonas Brothers, and Britney Spears. It’s quite the diverse roster of acts, and Sparks noted that there were some differences between touring with the Jo-Bros and Britney.
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Part 1: World Series, Touring With Britney, The Jonas Brothers
Part 2: Self-Image, "SOS (Let The Music Play)"
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“On the Jonas crew, we were all around the same age,” said Sparks. “So we all got along, just hanging out, doing different things like that. With Britney, she’s trying to get back on track, and the people around her are definitely taking care of her. I did get to see her, but she’s Britney Spears. She’s busy doing her V.I.P. meet-and-greets and adding new songs and choreography and stuff, but it was amazing to be able to see her back on the stage.”
Certainly Sparks learned, both what to do and what not to do, from watching Spears so closely. Both entered mainstream as teenagers (Spears released “…Baby One More Time” when she was almost 16). Both now must stay conscience of the tabloids, blogs, and paparazzi. Spears and Sparks have even both posed for their own “Got Milk?” campaigns. But any type of downward spiral from Sparks seems highly unlikely, judging by a refreshingly honest answer she gave to a listener-generated question on The RRS about her look.
“The Hollywood obsession with being skinny and everything, it’s so crazy,” Sparks said. “For me, I’m just all about staying healthy. I mean, yeah I’ll work out and, yeah I’ll eat healthy. But it’s not like, to diet or to lose weight. Yunno, it’s to stay healthy and not get sick, like I did so many times last year.”
Jordin even went as far as to say that some of her detractors refer to her as “fat,” but does not waver in her stance on her image – citing her taller, curvier frame as the reason why she may not look the same as other artists or actresses. But clearly it isn’t just Sparks’s figure that sets her apart from others, but rather her talent, confidence, and perspective on young women and their self-image.
“I thought it was going to be really cool, just a different kind of experiment for me because I’ve never done like, a dance track before,” said Sparks, who called in to The Ralphie Radio Show from Los Angeles. “I played it for my mom and she was like, ‘Oh my god, I love this song!’ and I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ And she was like, ‘This is ‘Let The Music Play’ by Shannon!’ and I was just like, ‘Oh my goodness.’”
Sparks’ mom gave birth to Jordin 6 years after Shannon’s song burst on to the music scene. “S.O.S. (Let The Music Play)” is now Jordin’s second single from her sophomore LP, Battlefield. It’s the second album released since Sparks won American Idol Season 6 – at age 17. She is the youngest winner of the reality show in its seven season history. Now, at age 19, she is not only an Idol champ, but an American Music Awards winner, a Grammy nominee, and an opener for such acts as Alicia Keys, the Jonas Brothers, and Britney Spears. It’s quite the diverse roster of acts, and Sparks noted that there were some differences between touring with the Jo-Bros and Britney.
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Part 1: World Series, Touring With Britney, The Jonas Brothers
Part 2: Self-Image, "SOS (Let The Music Play)"
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“On the Jonas crew, we were all around the same age,” said Sparks. “So we all got along, just hanging out, doing different things like that. With Britney, she’s trying to get back on track, and the people around her are definitely taking care of her. I did get to see her, but she’s Britney Spears. She’s busy doing her V.I.P. meet-and-greets and adding new songs and choreography and stuff, but it was amazing to be able to see her back on the stage.”
Certainly Sparks learned, both what to do and what not to do, from watching Spears so closely. Both entered mainstream as teenagers (Spears released “…Baby One More Time” when she was almost 16). Both now must stay conscience of the tabloids, blogs, and paparazzi. Spears and Sparks have even both posed for their own “Got Milk?” campaigns. But any type of downward spiral from Sparks seems highly unlikely, judging by a refreshingly honest answer she gave to a listener-generated question on The RRS about her look.
“The Hollywood obsession with being skinny and everything, it’s so crazy,” Sparks said. “For me, I’m just all about staying healthy. I mean, yeah I’ll work out and, yeah I’ll eat healthy. But it’s not like, to diet or to lose weight. Yunno, it’s to stay healthy and not get sick, like I did so many times last year.”
Jordin even went as far as to say that some of her detractors refer to her as “fat,” but does not waver in her stance on her image – citing her taller, curvier frame as the reason why she may not look the same as other artists or actresses. But clearly it isn’t just Sparks’s figure that sets her apart from others, but rather her talent, confidence, and perspective on young women and their self-image.
11.06.2009
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.
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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.
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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.
“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.
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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.
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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.
11.04.2009
ATTY. ELIZABETH KELLEY: Lil Wayne's Plea Deal
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Weezy could spend up to a year in jail, but avoided a bigger sentance, according to Ms. Kelley.
Read more about Lil Wayne here.
Visit Elizabeth Kelley's website.
EXCLUSIVE: Pitbull On David Rush, Touring, J-Lo
He’s the teacher and the student – the leader and the follower. It is this trait that helped Miami born emcee Pitbull reach the top of his game, with back to back top 10 singles, his first LP distributed by a major label, a world tour, and many more cameos on the horizon.
On this particular night, Pitbull, real name Armando Perez, plays the role of teacher. Pitbull provides for his crew, which features your typical litany of managers and stage hands, along with a band and DJ. Pit’s company, Mr. 305 Inc., fronts the money for expenses incurred. The crew chows down on a mix of fried chicken and salad, with a conservative selection of beer, liquor, and soda. In the back of the tour bus, also covered by Pit’s company, where a second flat screen and video game system are stored, I plop down on the leather couch. There, I’m joined by the Miami emcee and another one of his students, David Rush.
“It’s like going to college for free,” described Rush of his jaunt on “The Rebelution Tour” – which bears the name of Pit’s recent release on Mr. 305/RCA. Rush, who is also known as “Young Boss”, wrote and appeared on the club banger, “Go Girl”. Every night of the tour, Rush joins Pit on stage for the track. However unlike most opening acts, the Jersey native sticks around for the entire set.
“I get to learn and experience what not to do, what to do, what works on stage, what doesn’t work on stage, and… you get to study, you get to watch and learn,” said Rush.
Pitbull feels Rush is someone who “knows how to make hit records,” as opposed to just someone who may “stumble over” a hit. But in addition to the creative side, Rush is learning the business aspect of the industry as well – as Pit balances both the demands of his own company and of the record label’s.
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Part 1: "Rebelution Tour", "Ellen", Mr. 305 Inc.
Part 2: Collaborations w/ Akon, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira; New Music
---
“I’m out here on my own dime. The label ain’t give me no money for this right here,” revealed Pit. “But to me, I am my biggest investment. Not that the label is treating me bad or anything like that, not at all, they just lettin’ me do what I do.”
What Pit has done is continued and extended the grass roots movement he started in 1997. From the outset, there doesn’t seem to be a magic formula to his success. Pitbull works 24/7 – rarely one to turn down any type of request – whether it’s for an interview, a record cameo, or an autograph. The “on-the-grind” mentality combined with the reliability of the person himself, mixed with a lucky break here and there – has landed Pitbull both street cred and mainstream notoriety, a tough status that only few artists obtain in this day and age.
But after speaking with the emcee, you realize there is one other ingredient to his successful recipe – the hunger and desire to continue to learn. This became evident when I asked Pitbull about his recent collaboration with Jennifer Lopez, who is now releasing music under her alter-ego, “Lola.”
“’Lola’ is what Marc Anthony calls her,” said Pit. “To work with Jennifer Lopez was an honor. Especially someone that’s opened the doors for the Latin’s the way she’s done it in the movie industry, in the music industry. More than anything, I watch them and I learn, yunno? And I’m studying, also.”
The Jennifer Lopez collaboration is just one of many on the way for Mr. 305 himself – also on the docket – tracks with Shakira, Kristinia Debarge, and Janet Jackson. Plus, similar to the Livvi Franc track – you never know what Pit will just hop on.
“Right now I’ve been on tour, since I’m the one funding the bus, I don’t get the studio bus,” he joked. “There’s a lot of riddims out right now, that don’t nobody really know about. I’m about to f*ck ‘em up!”
On this particular night, Pitbull, real name Armando Perez, plays the role of teacher. Pitbull provides for his crew, which features your typical litany of managers and stage hands, along with a band and DJ. Pit’s company, Mr. 305 Inc., fronts the money for expenses incurred. The crew chows down on a mix of fried chicken and salad, with a conservative selection of beer, liquor, and soda. In the back of the tour bus, also covered by Pit’s company, where a second flat screen and video game system are stored, I plop down on the leather couch. There, I’m joined by the Miami emcee and another one of his students, David Rush.
“It’s like going to college for free,” described Rush of his jaunt on “The Rebelution Tour” – which bears the name of Pit’s recent release on Mr. 305/RCA. Rush, who is also known as “Young Boss”, wrote and appeared on the club banger, “Go Girl”. Every night of the tour, Rush joins Pit on stage for the track. However unlike most opening acts, the Jersey native sticks around for the entire set.
“I get to learn and experience what not to do, what to do, what works on stage, what doesn’t work on stage, and… you get to study, you get to watch and learn,” said Rush.
Pitbull feels Rush is someone who “knows how to make hit records,” as opposed to just someone who may “stumble over” a hit. But in addition to the creative side, Rush is learning the business aspect of the industry as well – as Pit balances both the demands of his own company and of the record label’s.
---
Part 1: "Rebelution Tour", "Ellen", Mr. 305 Inc.
Part 2: Collaborations w/ Akon, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira; New Music
---
“I’m out here on my own dime. The label ain’t give me no money for this right here,” revealed Pit. “But to me, I am my biggest investment. Not that the label is treating me bad or anything like that, not at all, they just lettin’ me do what I do.”
What Pit has done is continued and extended the grass roots movement he started in 1997. From the outset, there doesn’t seem to be a magic formula to his success. Pitbull works 24/7 – rarely one to turn down any type of request – whether it’s for an interview, a record cameo, or an autograph. The “on-the-grind” mentality combined with the reliability of the person himself, mixed with a lucky break here and there – has landed Pitbull both street cred and mainstream notoriety, a tough status that only few artists obtain in this day and age.
But after speaking with the emcee, you realize there is one other ingredient to his successful recipe – the hunger and desire to continue to learn. This became evident when I asked Pitbull about his recent collaboration with Jennifer Lopez, who is now releasing music under her alter-ego, “Lola.”
“’Lola’ is what Marc Anthony calls her,” said Pit. “To work with Jennifer Lopez was an honor. Especially someone that’s opened the doors for the Latin’s the way she’s done it in the movie industry, in the music industry. More than anything, I watch them and I learn, yunno? And I’m studying, also.”
The Jennifer Lopez collaboration is just one of many on the way for Mr. 305 himself – also on the docket – tracks with Shakira, Kristinia Debarge, and Janet Jackson. Plus, similar to the Livvi Franc track – you never know what Pit will just hop on.
“Right now I’ve been on tour, since I’m the one funding the bus, I don’t get the studio bus,” he joked. “There’s a lot of riddims out right now, that don’t nobody really know about. I’m about to f*ck ‘em up!”
11.03.2009
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.”
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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.”
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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.”
“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.”
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