TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014 | WWW.PGCITIZEN.CA A&E 23 Derulo cleaning up with Talk Dirty Missing ring causing family tension Nicole EVATT The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Jason Derulo knows his recent Dear Annie: My 32-year-old hit, Talk Dirty, is risque, but he’s not too worried son is currently traveling over- about it. seas on business. Annie’s “I try to be conscious of [not] offending anybody, He is staying at a hotel, but he but not that much,” he said. visited my sister’s house to see Mailbox “I really just try to do my thing and of course there his aunt and his grandma, who is going to be backlash on every song that I do, so I live near his place of business. KATHY MITCHELL & MARCY SUGAR don’t worry myself too much on that. People saying My niece and her husband also things like ‘objectifying women.’ I’m like, ‘What are came by to see my son. My son for three days in danger of bleed- you even talking about?”’ spent a few hours napping in my ing out. I remained in the hospital Talk Dirty has dominated pop radio, and the song niece’s old bedroom and then for an additional three days. has peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. left for the hotel. What hurts more than the illness It has sold 3.2 million tracks and features lyrics like Two days later, my son got a is that not a single person from my “but your booty don’t need explaining” and “first- call at 2 a.m. from his aunt ask- family, including my parents and class seat on my lap girl.” ing whether he had found a ring eight siblings, called or visited me. “I wasn’t surprised that it would hit mainstream. I in his bag, because her daughter The hospital is close to them, think in 2014 things, you know, are getting more and said she left her ring on the and part of the time I was there, it more free [and] liberal,” he said. “I hear a lot worse.” makeup table in her old room. was a weekend, and they weren’t The smash is from Derulo’s third album of the Mind you, she didn’t notice it working. same name; it debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 was missing for two days. And Was I expecting too much? albums chart last month. The album was released in- while my son was in her room, Wouldn’t any decent person call to ternationally last September under the title Tattoos, he left his bag in the living express concern for a hospitalized but the renamed American version features some room. family member? new tracks. So I guess my sister is accus- It certainly changes how I feel Derulo, 24, says both his new album and single ing my son of stealing the ring. about them. — Sick at Heart reflect his growth as a singer and songwriter. My son denied taking the ring Dear Sick: Of course your family “I’m comfortable with talking about what my life is and was very upset and angry. members should have expressed and things that I go through,” said Derulo, whose hits He is still overseas, and I don’t their concern. include Whatcha Say and In My Head. want to discuss this with him But did they know? “This album is a direct representation of who I am now and disturb his business Sometimes, we assume people as a person and how I speak,” he added. “If I was talk- AP PHOTO appointments. My son has never are aware that we are sick or hos- ing to my best friend, you know, this is how I would Jason Derulo is finding success on the charts had problems stealing as far as pitalized, but they don’t find out explain it.” thanks to his latest single, Talk Dirty. we know. He lives in L.A. and is until you’ve been home for a week. The album is Derulo’s first to feature guest stars, financially secure. Please call your parents and and hip-hop acts are a strong part of the pop singer’s when I first started writing songs for other people it What is the best approach to siblings. Ask why they seemed so project. Snoop Dogg, 2 Chainz, Pitbull, Tyga and Kid was for hip-hop artists,” said Derulo, who co-wrote this situation? indifferent to your situation. Let Ink make appearances. songs for Diddy that didn’t make his album. Should I just pay the value of them know how much it hurt you. Derulo, who is finding more success on the urban “The world knew me as a pop artist when I first the ring to my sister? Should we We hope things can be mended. charts thanks to Talk Dirty, says he started musically came out, which was cool, you know. I think I’m the wait until my son comes back Dear Annie: Your advice to A in the hip-hop scene. first black male artist to actually come out as a pop and ask what happened? Wife regarding job applications “Most people don’t know my background, but artist,” he added. — Upset Mom in USA was spot on, especially when you Dear Mom: Yes, please wait said, “Be sure to include a cover until your son comes back. letter.” You don’t seem 100 per cent When I owned my own business, certain that he didn’t take the I would not consider an applicant’s Cheech and Chong may ring. And of course, it’s equally resume without a cover letter. New Merchant songs as good as ever possible that your niece put the Only once did I disregard this be back on big screen ring somewhere else, doesn’t rule and hired a person whose The Associated Press recall doing so and believes your qualifications were exactly what I The Associated Press son took it. was looking for. She quit a month Natalie Merchant, Natalie Merchant Things are misplaced all later, saying she was bored. (Nonesuch Records) LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Actor the time, and others are often I should have known, because Natalie Merchant has never been and comedian Cheech Marin blamed. Tell your sister you will she was not motivated enough one to pull punches. says he and longtime comedy speak to your son as soon as he to write a cover letter in the first From her start singing deceivingly partner Tommy Chong may returns and work it out. If you place. jovial-sounding tunes about tough soon reunite on film. believe he is responsible for the A few years later, she contacted topics like child abuse and air pol- The Las Cruces Sun-News ring, ask how much it would me and asked for her job back. I lution with seminal 1980s alterna- reports Marin made the com- cost to replace it. If you think declined. tive rock band 10,000 Maniacs ments Friday while launching your son is innocent, you could — Paco from Albany, N.Y. through her 21 years as a solo artist, an exhibit of his art collection at offer to split the cost for the sake Annie’s Mailbox is written by Merchant has made her mark as an AP PHOTO the Las Cruces Museum of Art in of family harmony. Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, unflinchingly honest artist. The cover of the new self-titled southern New Mexico. The price of the ring is less longtime editors of the Ann Landers That fearlessness continues on the album by Natalie Merchant. The 67-year-old, known as important than the relationship column. Please email your questions self-titled and self-produced Natalie one half of Cheech & Chong, with your sister. to [email protected], Merchant, her first collection of followed by Maggie Said, which says there have been discussions Dear Annie: I was recently in or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o entirely original songs in 13 years. begins with the line: “Maggie said about starting a project within the emergency room and then Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, On the haunting Giving Up dig one more shallow grave before the next year. Meanwhile, the admitted to the critical care unit Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Everything, Merchant sings about I’m dead.” two have been touring together. mercy killing her craving, giving With her distinctive voice still in An avid collector, Marin up her “cursed search for mean- strong form as she enters her 50s, met with artists and local high ing.” Think of it as her version of together with the lush backing of school students before the John Lennon’s God. strings, piano, organ and wood- exhibit’s opening. Chicanitas: Not everything is a downer. The winds, Merchant creates a rich Small Paints from the Cheech opening track, Ladybird, is a jaun- musical tapestry that transcends Marin Collection features 70 ty toe-tapper. But that’s quickly the typical vagary of pop music. paintings by 29 Chicano artists.