VMAs: The Scandalist Gossip Diary

NICK CANNON'S LITTLE BRO IS A BALLER
(Friday, 7pm)
After a performance at the Gibson pre-VMA gift suite, Nick Cannon's baby bro Ruben sat down with Scandalist to talk about his new CD, and oh, that famous sister-in-law of his Mariah Carey. Ruben, sweating profusely after performing two of his new songs, sported a vintage shirt with the word "Baller" scrolled across his chest. "I'm gonna rip this off!" Ruben laughed, after Scandalist inquired what the Baller emblem was all about. Ruben is embarking on a music career of his own. In addition to brother Nick, Ruben counts Michael Jackson, Ginuwine and Justin Timberlake as his inspirations. Despite her diva reputation, Ruben tells Scandalist his new sister-in-law Mariah is "awesome." "I grew up listening to her," he explained. "She is one of the greatest artists ever, and be sure you capitalize EVER!" But Ruben's new music career and Mariah and Nick's busy schedules keep the family from spending too much time together. "We all have so many different things going on," he said. "It's hard." [WireImage]