Ralph Is Our Newest Celebrity Crush

Canadian bop songstress Ralph is taking us on a ride with her cover of Jennifer Paige’s 1998 hit, “Crush.” Trust us, this is going to be your new summer jam. Ralph, who has been lighting up dance floors with her infectiously catchy tunes since 2015, shared with OUT FRONT why this song holds a special place in her heart. While it still retains a dash of sultriness that made the original hit so popular, Ralph gives it an update by delivering her own flavor and spark.

In addition, Ralph also released an animated music video for the track that was brought to life by artist Amika Cooper. “Crush” comes after “Superbloom,” the first sing on her new label, Rich Man Records.

Ralph also talked to us more about being an LGBTQ icon, what more she would like to do with her music, and her experience coaching the queens on Canada’s Drag Race. No wonder she has put Toronto’s pop scene on the map.

Hi, Ralph! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me about your new cover of Jennifer Paige’s single, “Crush.” Why did you want to do this song?
I had a really cool babysitter play it for me when I was a kid in the 90s, and I have loved it ever since. I am a big fan of songs that have catchy hooks and melodies, but are lyrically kind of cheeky and empowering. I think a lot of my songs have that vibe.

How are you putting your spin on “Crush” while also staying true to Jennifer?
The OG version is so good that I wanted to maintain some of my favorite moments, like the whispery/talky intro and the dreamy feeling of the bridge, but I also wanted to make it a little dancier, so we bumped up the tempo and added some house elements to the track. I think the house vibe really kicks in on the pre-chorus with the drums. Plus, I did this subtle little disco vocal moment on the last chorus that I really love, and it feels very me.

What do you hope audiences take away from this cover?
I hope they go, ‘Oh my God! I remember this song!’ I hope it makes them feel nostalgic, and I hope it makes them want to dance because that was my goal. Originally, I wanted this song to come out just in time for Toronto Pride, and I envisioned a hot, sweaty party with everyone moving to the beat.

You also created a music video for “Crush.” Can you tell us more about the video’s concept and inspiration?
The video is actually the brainchild of Amika Cooper (@blackpowerbarbie). She did my “Gravity” video, and she is so, so talented. When we sent her the “Crush” cover, we told her to create a video inspired by the song and how it made her feel. She took that direction and produced this beautiful narrative, inspired by her own experiences, of a pre-teen during the 2000s, getting swept up in the magic of pop and idolizing their favorite pop icons.

Has Jennifer heard your cover or seen the video?
[Laughs] I don’t know! I hope she has, and I hope she likes it!

Have you always been into female pop music?
Definitely. It was probably inspired by my previously mentioned pop-singer babysitter, but yes, I have always been a sucker for a confident, style-savvy female pop singer with empowering lyrics. I remember watching Shania Twain videos when I was a kid and being like, wow!

Why is the 80s and 90s pop aesthetic and sound so important to you?
I think the 90s is especially prominent in my brain because I absorbed so much during that decade. I was a kid, and I was taking everything in. The sounds, the style, etc. I was shaped by the 90s, so it is always going to be a huge part of me. I wasn’t around for the 80s, but they feel exotic, exciting, dangerous, and sexy. Musically, stylistically and even in culture and politics. I love adding a splash of 80s to spice things up. What is the overall message you try to convey with your music?
I always try to convey a subtle narrative which usually centers around topics of love, loss, anger, sadness, lust, self-love, and femme-centric power. I try to craft songs that will elicit emotions from listeners.

Have you always had a passion for singing and songwriting?
I started writing songs when I was probably 10. My best friend and I decided to start a band called 2Lips, which was very 90s and unintentionally sexual. Oops! I have always loved creative writing, and when I realized that writing stories were basically the same thing as writing song lyrics, I was like, oh OK, cool! But I was actually really scared of singing publicly. I mostly just sang in my room and whenever I did Spice Girls performances with my cousins.

Is it true that you never intended on being a pop star, and your start in show business was accidental?
[Laughs] Is that the rumor? I love how mysterious that is! I mean, I wanted to be an actor. I acted my whole life and had an agent, but the audition process was really dangerous for me as a teen struggling with self-esteem issues and an eating disorder. So, I stopped when I was 20 and focused on music, which I had studied in high school. I went to a performing arts high school and majored in music performance, and I haven’t stopped hustling since! So, no, I would say that I am where I am right now because my manager Laurie and I have worked very hard to get here.

I was so happy to see you on Canada’s Drag Race! What was it like to work with these girls?
A dream come true! Truly. I am such a huge fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and I have such an admiration for drag culture and the hardworking queens within it. Being able to share the stage with them and coach them on their diss tracks was such an honor. The whole cast and crew were so welcoming, lovely, and fun.

Do you have a top three in mind?
Jimbo, Priyanka, and Boa.

How does it feel to know that you are such a fixture in the LGBTQ community?
It’s incredible! I am so grateful and humbled that I have such a huge support system within the LGBTQ community. It has made me a more conscientious artist and songwriter. When I write my lyrics and come up with video ideas, I am hyper-aware of language and how to craft stories and images that feel relatable for all listeners. I never want to exclude or hurt anyone, and when I put on shows, I make sure that the space feels safe and loving. I do not tolerate unsafe language or behavior, period.

What more would you like to accomplish with your music and platform?
I think having a platform is a huge responsibility, and I want to use mine to uplift and illuminate issues and voices that aren’t being heard. I am a pretty outspoken person when it comes to topics I feel strongly about. I organized a pro-choice concert last summer with two of my friends and we raised $19,000 for abortion organizations in the U.S. and Canada. I am also very vocal about my personal experiences with mental health and eating disorders. So, I would like to continue using my platform as a means to inform and help others.

What’s next? Any other upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for?
I am working on a new EP! My inspiration is ABBA meets HAIM meets Stevie Nicks meets Prince meets Robyn. We have written some pretty fun songs already, so I am excited!

To stay up-to-date with Ralph, follow her on social media or visit songsbyralph.com. “Crush” is available on all music steaming platforms.

Photos Courtesy of Mariah Hamilton