RALPHIGE Words by Ms Rivercity
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o one is safe from the distorted mind of Ralphige – a notorious Hip Hop crank caller from Miami. He’s “phone’kd” everyone from Lil Kim to Young Jeezy and he’s giving OZONE the scoop on who’s next. Who all have you cranked called? Michael Jackson, Busta Rhymes, Akon, Pharrell, DJ Khaled, Scott Torch, Hulk Hogan, Patty LaBelle, David Banner, Immortal Technique, Paris Hilton, Pimp C, Bun B, DJ Clue, Mike Epps, Rick Ross, Method Man, Nelly and a bunch of other Hip Hop dudes. I’ve done over 60 calls. Where do you get their phone numbers? A lot of times I get them from reporters such as yourself. They like what I do so they’ll send it to me. Most of the time I get them from people in their entourage or their homeboys. What’s the funniest call you’ve done? Ted Lucas, the owner of Slip N Slide. I called him pretending that [TVT Records] had sent me to off him. He started praying on the phone, “Oh, you don’t got to do this. Jesus loves you!” He said like 8 different prayers for me and was screaming Hallelujah at the top of his lungs. He almost started crying. It was hilarious. Where do you come up with your ideas? I don’t think about it or anything. As soon as I call them, ideas pop into my head and it starts coming out of my mouth. I don’t plan anything before I call. Did you ever go too far with a call? Oh yeah. There’s one I did recently to Pharrell which I kind of regret. I don’t know if he can ever find it in his heart to forgive me but I’d appreciate it. His aunt recently died and I called him pretending to be some kind of psychic. I told him there was a lady in front of me that asked me to call and tell him everything was okay and she’s with Jesus. He cried on the phone and everything. It was pretty messed up. | OZONE
Have you ever run into any of the people you’ve called and wanted to tell them who you are? I’ve been to plenty of parties where Scott Storch, Khaled, a lot of people have been there. I’ve always wanted to tell them it’s me, but I didn’t know how it would turn out so I just say what’s up and tell them I like their work. Has anyone gotten mad and threatened you? I called Jay-Z in December pretending to be Doug Morris, the owner of Universal. I offered him a job at Universal if he left Def Jam. He was really interested and at the end of the call I started clowning about Beyonce. I ended up telling him it was a prank call and asked for permission to use it. He’s the only person that’s said no. He actually put me on hold for 20 seconds and came back on the phone with my home address. I was like, “Oh, shit.” So he kind of made a small threat there. I know you don’t give out your true identity, but can you give us a hint? My real name is Ralph. I’m 24 years old. I’m from Miami. I’m just a fat little white dude. Where can people hear your work? www.Ralphige.com and www.Myspace.com/Ralphige. Most Hip Hop websites have them on there. The calls are for sale on www.Ralphige. com. I have the first Phone’kd CD out now which is regular crank calls. The second CD will be all celebrities, mainly Hip Hop artists. That will be out this week. Who might be receiving a call next? I got Robin Thicke and Kanye West’s numbers right here. Hopefully I’ll be able to get them before this interview gets published. //