Amidst the stellar performances by Phillip Phillips, Parmalee, and OneRepublic, there was an unexpected thrill for all attendees at the Toyota Oakdale Theater this week for 96.5 TIC's Deck the Hall Ball in Connecticut.
LISTEN NOW: Christine Lee with Paul Russell at 96.5 TIC's Deck the Hall Ball
Surprise! The crowd went wild as TikTok sensation and rising artist Paul Russell took the stage as an unannounced special guest. Russell -- known for his chart-topping track "Little Boo Thang" which has been dominating the radio waves -- didn't disappoint in getting the audience out of their seats and dancing to his hit tune.
"Little Boo Thang" originally made waves on TikTok, where it racked up over 10 million views. The song samples the 1977 hit "Best of My Love" by The Emotions, and in a backstage interview with 96.5 TIC Christine Lee, Paul shared a fun tidbit about how some fans are unaware of the track's origins, thinking The Emotions actually ripped him off.
Russell went on to hilariously recount his encounter with Taylor's #Swifties, jokingly expressing his nervousness when "Little Boo Thang" managed to break into the Top 10 charts amidst Swift's domination during the release of her 1989 (Taylor's Version).
Paul teased that he's diligently crafting new music set to drop in early 2024, clarifying that it won't solely rely on sampling. Check out Christine's full interview with Paul Russell above for all the inside scoop and a glimpse into his upcoming projects.