WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: The Direct Approach

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The Wingman prefers direct and blunt over indirect, but advises that in some instances, you have to tread carefully.

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TMZ'S LESLIE HARRIS: Lohan's House Burglarized... Again.

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Lindsay Lohan's house is burglarized for the second time in three months. TMZ's Leslie Harris explains why Michael Lohan thinks it's an inside job.

Catch Leslie on TMZ TV - Weekdays at 6 on Channel 38 - The CW.

EXCLUSIVE: Jay Sean All-But-Confirms Drake Collab, Stops Short Of Naming It Second Single

In an interview which aired Wednesday on The Ralphie Radio Show, English singer Jay Sean all-but-confirmed a forthcoming song with rapper Drake. But, the Cash Money crooner admits that the next single off of All or Nothing is not determined.

Jay Sean mentioned in past interviews that he would not speak about the track with Drizzy before the details were finalized. However, his response Wednesday hinted that the feature could be a done deal.

“Well, actually, I still have to stay tight-lipped about it,” Jay remarked. “(Laughing) I can’t say nuttin!”

After pressing about his choice of words, particularly interjecting the word “still” in to his response, the “Down” singer elaborated.

“Yesterday I went in to the studio and I did this song,” Jay Sean revealed. “To be honest, I just sent it straight away to the boss man (presumably Cash Money’s Ronald “Slim” Williams). I was like, ‘Dude, I think I might have just messed up our plan here.’”
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Jay Sean also reveals during the interview his inital thoughts when he first heard Lil Wayne's verse on "Down"...

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The aforementioned arrangement may have been to release the track with Drake as the next single. That idea might be in flux after Jay’s studio session. The Englishman notes that he actually entered the studio to write songs for someone else, but that he ended up with a track that he feels strongly about.

“This sounds like a huge single to me,” Jay said of the track he wrote. “So who knows? I think we might have to give Drake a phone call.”

Surely Drake would be able to answer the phone – he’s currently back in Canada after reinjuring a torn ACL while on tour with Lil Wayne.

Jay Sean’s LP, All or Nothing, will drop around Thanksgiving, according to Jay himself. This timeframe is pushed back from an original October target.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Kaci Battaglia - Crazy Possessive (I'll Muck You Up)

08.19.09 : Kaci Battaglia - Crazy Possessive (I'll Muck You Up)

Kaci swings by The RRS!
Part 1: Story Behind The Song


Part 2: Wikipedia, Twitter, New Album

EXCLUSIVE: Hey Monday's Cassadee Pope on "How You Love Me Now" & Splurging on Tour

Working with big name songwriters and producers can have both pros and cons. This came to light in the recent feud between Kelly Clarkson and her record label over releasing the track, “Already Gone” to radio stations. Clarkson felt the song sounded too similar to Beyonce’s “Halo.” OneRepublic front man Ryan Tedder wrote and produced both.

Butch Walker is behind many tracks from quite a few big name artists – from Avril Lavigne to Simple Plan, Katy Perry to Pink. Walker’s latest production is the song, “How You Love Me Now.” It’s a single from Hold On Tight, the debut LP of Hey Monday, a pop-rock group fronted by Cassadee Pope. The lead singer insists she wasn’t worried about the final collaboration with Walker sounding too similar to his other pieces of work.

“That’s always a risk,” admitted Pope. “But if you stay true to what your sound is and everything, and if it clicks with that other person, it’s usually just what you want.”

Pope called in to The Ralphie Radio Show on Tuesday to chat about a plethora of topics – including the new single, which Cassadee describes as “prideful.”

“It’s just about getting your heart broken and then that person wanting you back, but they also have someone else on the side,” Pope explained. “And you just kinda tell them that that’s not gonna happen.”
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Hey Monday’s debut LP also spawned the track, “Homecoming” which Pete Wentz featured on his CitizensFOB mix-tape last fall. The pop rockers are signed to Wentz’s Decaydence label. The association with the Fall Out Boy bassist carries many perks – Hey Monday supported Fall Out Boy on the band’s “Believer’s Never Die Tour Part Deux” last spring. Pope and Wentz also cameo together in Degrassi: The Next Generation TV Movie. In case you’re wondering, the lead singer did not meet actor and Young Money emcee Aubrey “Drake” Graham – he does not appear in the film.

Currently Hey Monday is playing a set of acoustic shows at Hot Topic stores across the country. Pope admitted, the idea to shop before or after performing at the malls is tempting.

“I kinda splurged the first few days, but I’m being good now,” said Pope. “I kinda had an episode in Forever 21. I bought a lot of shirts and, I think I bought a skirt too. I packed light for this tour because I knew I’d be shopping.”

This fall, Hey Monday will tour to support We The Kings and All Time Low.

EXCLUSIVE: We The Kings Set The Trend For Pop-Rockers

You could credit Lil Wayne as the first artist of this era to release music with no short term monetary goal in mind. Sure he caught a lot of grief over his marketing style from Universal Motown, but the scheme worked off: Tha Carter III sold more copies than any other LP in 2008.

Now it seems Weezy’s plan is transcending the hip-hop realm. Take We The Kings for example. According to lead singer Travis Clark, the pop-rock quartet has been writing and recording demos for about a year and a half. Now, with the assistance of S-Curve Records, WTK is headed back to radio with a new single, “Heaven Can Wait.”

Apparently Heaven isn’t the only thing that can wait. The song emerges with not even an iTunes sale date, let alone an album to promote. But, that didn’t stop Clark from calling up The Ralphie Radio Show on Wednesday evening to talk about the track and the thought process behind its release. 97 BHT became the third radio station in the country to play the track.

“I feel like there’s an A.D.D. generation that’s growing tired of music,” Clark said. “I’m part of that A.D.D. generation, where it’s just, we have all of these songs, let’s make a record and let’s do it.”
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Ralphie & WTK in Allentown, Early 2009.
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There’s no timeline to create the sophomore LP in place – but the front man predicts that recording will finish in September.

“This is literally so new that it’s like, we’re pretty much recording the rest of it now,” revealed Clark – who gave his label this track along with other demos the band recorded. Both WTK and the label felt strongly about the single – both the song itself and the direction in which it’d take the band. S-Curve put We The Kings in a studio, mastered the track, and will now promote it to radio stations across the country.

“No one’s ever heard it. It’s crazy,” said Clark. “We’ve been playing it live for, yunno, four or five shows, and then you guys are literally the third station in the entire country to play it.”

The song fits the catchy melodies that WTK fans are familiar with - but the new sound is infused with less strings and more keyboard and electronic effects.

We The Kings will spend September finishing the new record before heading out on a fall trek with All Time Low and Hey Monday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TMZ'S LESLIE HARRIS: The Unreleased Billy Mays Infomercial

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TMZ exclusively obtained this never-before-seen infomercial hosted by the late Billy Mays.

Catch Leslie on TMZ TV - Weekdays at 6 on Channel 38 - The CW.

EXCLUSIVE: Jason Derulo Talks "Whatcha Say", Lil Wayne

His song, "Whatcha Say" is blowing up across the country. 19 year-old Jason Derulo calls The Ralphie Radio Show to chat about the track, sampling Imogen Heap, writing for Lil Wayne, and how he knows our buddy A.J. In The Afternoon.
Part 1: "Whatcha Say", Imogen Heap's Reaction

Part 2: Writing for Lil Wayne; A.J. In The Afternoon

EXCLUSIVE: Livvi Franc Represents The New B-tch

Livvi Franc wants to make one thing clear: she is not your average bitch.

“I’m definitely reclaiming the word,” says Franc, who called The Ralphie Radio Show on Thursday from New York City. “I have an acronym for it, ‘Babe In Total Control of Herself.’”

The English-born and Barbados-raised singer/songwriter is at the forefront of the discussion regarding the term’s definition with her track, “Now I’m That Bitch.” The song, which features Pitbull, is gaining airplay on radio stations across the country.

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“To me a bitch is a female who is in control, confident, and knows what she wants. So it’s something good.

But what makes the song even better is the Pitbull cameo. Franc released the single to clubs last December. The Miami-emcee simply heard the track and hopped on it. The two hadn’t even met until last month, when they shot the music video together.

Franc’s debut LP, Underground Sunshine, hits stores on October 6. She tells me that Pitbull is the only cameo on the album.

EXCLUSIVE: David Guetta Prepares 3rd Single, Takes Cues From BEP, Akon

David Guetta may not be releasing One Love in the States until August 25, but that doesn’t mean the French DJ/Producer isn’t already thinking of future singles and possible re-releases of the LP.

“Okay, I give you exclusive,” Guetta said at the end of our interview last week. He called in to The Ralphie Radio Show from a French hotel. Towards the latter part of the conversation, Guetta revealed the existence of a track that will be the third single off of One Love. The song is “Gettin’ Over” – and the original features Chris Willis. The remix, to come later with a holiday re-release of the LP, will also include Fergie and Will.I.Am. of The Black Eyed Peas.

“The Peas were like, ‘Oh, you gotta give (‘Gettin’ Over’) to us.’ I’m like, ‘No, I need that one for my album,’” Guetta explained. “I saw Will again, and he was like, ‘Man this song is too good.’ So it’s Fergie, Chris Willis, and Will.I.Am., and this song is a bomb man!”

It wouldn’t be the first “bomb” created by Guetta and BEP – the man behind, “Love Is Gone” produced The Peas global smash, “I Gotta Feeling.”

“(BEP and I) first made two songs for The Black Eyed Peas album,” said Guetta, who also claims production credits on the track, “Rock That Body” from The E.N.D. “We had so much that we just kept making music even though the album was finished. I’m still making music with Will for nothing, just for fun.”
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Part 1: "I Gotta Feeling", Working w/ The Black Eyed Peas

Part 2: "Sexy Chick" f. Akon, One Love, Exclusive News Re: New BEP Track

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Guetta parlayed his relationships with BEP and Kelly Rowland (vocals on “When Love Takes Over”) in to more cameos from American A-listers on his forthcoming LP. The Peas and Rowland told their friends about the producer, and then artists like Akon, Ne-Yo, and Kid Cudi approached Guetta for tracks. The Frenchman would always respond with a “yes”, on the condition that they appeared on his album as well. The result is a star-studded cast for One Love. Akon is featured on the LP’s second single, “Sexy B*tch.”

“What happened with Akon was not planned,” revealed Guetta. “We just met at a festival, and decided to make music on that night.”

Both were leaving from the show for their respective home countries in the morning. Guetta says that instead of going out to have a drink, they entered the studio, and left with a song that is already taking the global charts by storm. The record will also appear on Akon’s forthcoming album.

Much has come as a delightful surprise to Guetta during this summer-long run of chart-topping hits, but what didn’t was the changing of “Sexy B*tch” in the U.S. and U.K. to “Sexy Chick.” He even learned something thanks to Akon in the process.

“We had a discussion with the record company… and in the U.K., (bitch) is the most offensive word,” said Guetta. “Whereas in America… that’s what I’ve been told by Akon, like, a girl that takes care of herself and knows what she wants.”

Regardless, it’s what the people want: the song already reached the Top 10 in nine different countries, and is on the cusp of Top 20 in the U.S. Maybe taking language cues from Akon isn’t so bad afterall.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Hot Chelle Rae - I Like To Dance

Part 1: Story Behind The Song

Part 2: New LP, Working With T-Pain & Taylor Swift

TMZ'S DAX: The MJ Movie

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TMZ's Dax checks in from the TMZ Newsroom with the 411 on Michael Jackson court hearings - which included the green light for a movie...

Catch TMZ TV Weekdays at 6 on Channel 38 - The CW.

DR. JOHN BONANNO: The Bo-Tax

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Cosmetic Surgeon to the Celebs, Dr. John Bonanno breaks down the issues with a propsed tax on cosmetic procedures during The Ralphie Radio Show.

Visit Dr. John's site here.

TMZ'S LESLIE HARRIS: Paula Abdul On/Off AI

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TMZ's Leslie Harris discusses if Paula Abdul's run on American Idol is completely finished...

Catch Leslie on TMZ TV - Weekdays at 6 on Channel 38 - The CW.

THE SKINNY: The Hippy Look

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In this edition of The Skinny, Jessie breaks down the "hippy" look, and how you can score this fashion on the cheap.

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EXCLUSIVE: Soulja Boy Tell 'Em/Drake/Lil Wayne/Trey Songz - Successful

Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em told “The Ralphie Radio Show” first about his planned collaboration with “America’s Most Wanted” tour-mate Drake. It may have spurred when the Toronto emcee called Soulja, “the smartest artist of our generation, period,” on The RRS. Soulja Boy went as far as to upload the audio clip to his YouTube channel, and then paid the love forward when I chatted with him two weeks ago.

“Drake is a real dude. Most rappers, they don’t like to give the other rappers props,” Soulja Boy said. “He showed me my respect. Drake is a good artist.”

So with all of the props exchanged both in person and through The RRS – it only made sense that Soulja would afford me the first shot to play a Soulja/Drake track, right? Correct, and I did, but it isn’t how it seems.

Early Wednesday morning, Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em “at replied” me on Twitter – he basically sent an update that his 1.2 million followers could read, with my username in it, asking me to direct message him my e-mail address. Soon, Soulja hit my inbox with a new mp3.

“Successful” is a track that originally appeared on Drake’s mixtape, So Far Gone. “Best I Ever Had” spawned from this same compilation. “Successful” featured Trey Songz and Lil Wayne. Soulja left Weezy on the end and Trey on the hook, but rapped a couple verses of his own over the instrumental. From what I gathered, he just finished the song on his studio bus, and sent it to me.

Soulja’s version showcases a side of the Chicago-born artist that his fans are beginning to see more of – style with substance, more emphasis on lyrics, less emphasis on catchiness.

Of course, with four different artists on the single, I had to put the remix on it. Almost immediately after Soulja Boy sent me the song, I went to work – editing Soulja’s first verse with Drake’s second, Weezy’s final, and Trey on the hook – all while editing the track for content/language.

The result? A Ralphie Radio Show exclusive, which can be heard below:

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: Salon Creepin'

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The sure-fire date? According to The Wingman, meet her in the salon, and have her cut your hair.

Visit The Wingman on MySpace.

THE SKINNY: Bald Beauty

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Jessie chats about the shaved head look in this edition of "The Skinny".

Jessie - Blog
Jessie - Twitter

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: The Wedding Date Crasher

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What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Now, what happens in Atlantic City...

Visit The Wingman on MySpace.