Backstage w/ Teairra!
Teairra Mari speaks to BryWoo from UrbanBridgez.com on her new release "At That Point," being dropped from Def Jam, Rihanna, her future goals and more!
Teairra Mari: Me and P had met through a mutual friend and ever since then we've just been friends. We're cool, we go bowling, we go eat, and he's like a brother. I hook him up with girls, he gives me guy advice. It was just natural, I was like "Hey I got this hot record" and he jumped on. It was simple.
UrbanBridgez.com: And of course it is a hot record, Rico Love wrote it right?
Teairra Mari: Yeah it was written by Rico Love.
UrbanBridgez.com: Who else did you work with on the album?
Teairra Mari: I'm finishing up with Rico Love & The Runners. I worked with this hot producer named Oak, Tony Dixon from the Underdogs, and that's pretty much it.
UrbanBridgez.com: That's what's up. Sounds like it's going to be a pretty well rounded album, especially with people like Rico Love and Tony. What makes the new album different from your debut, because even then you had a mature album for such a young age?
Teairra Mari: Well I think that's what makes it different, the fact that I've matured. And I think since I know the business now also. Before I took things more personal and now I've learned that it's business and I'm able to separate. Then I was young and hardheaded and thought I knew everything, but now I'm older. And it's a good album, it's an album I'm happy with so I'm really pleased with it.
UrbanBridgez.com: Were you pleased with your debut album or did you feel the music and image was forced?
Teairra Mari: I was pleased with it, but I think the image and the music didn't connect. They marketed me as this young girl, but the album had a parental advisory sticker on it. So you wanted me to sell to kids, but the album had the sticker on it and what sense does that make?
UrbanBridgez.com: I feel you. I enjoyed the album, but also wondered what audience they wanted you to appeal to. I'm a few years older than you so my crowd could relate, but I remember the younger crowd jamming to it too.
Teairra Mari: Uh Huh [laughs]
UrbanBridgez.com: A lot of people are confused about your sudden departure from Def Jam. You came out with "Make Her Feel Good", then "No Daddy" and then there was No Teairra, can you shine some light on that situation?
Teairra Mari: Like I said it was business, you know. My album didn't do what they anticipated so they had to let me go. At first I was a little heartbroken and I spent a lot of time with friends and family, but it was business. I don't think there was anything funny involved [laughs]
UrbanBridgez.com: And of course there has been talk about a feud with you and Rihanna. Me personally I didn't really see the problems, but with your release from the label it does bring suspicion. It just makes you wonder, "What really happened to Teairra?", "Was Rihanna the reason"? Do you all talk or are friends? Do any of the rumors hold any weight?
Teairra Mari: She has her career and I have mine. It was nothing to do with her, nothing at all. We were two separate commodities. She was here and I was me and that's it.
UrbanBridgez.com: So off of all the Def Jam stuff. We of course know that you have a new album that's going to be released soon. Have you decided on a title yet?
Teairra Mari: Yeah the new album is called "At That Point" and it will be released in April.
UrbanBridgez.com: Alright, and you mentioned some of the people you worked with. Did you write any of it yourself?
Teairra Mari: Yeah, I co-wrote a lot of it myself. I wanted to really be involved this time around. Even though with Sean Garrett, it was a collaborative effort.
UrbanBridgez.com: What are some of your favorite songs from the new album so far?
Teairra Mari: Oh my God, I love the whole album [laughs], but my favorite is probably this song called Emergency, I love "Holla", and I love the single. I always loved this single.
UrbanBridgez.com: Is "No, No" going to be on the album?
Teairra Mari: No that's not going to be on the album, The Movement produced it, but I also did two other songs with them. One called "Independent Stay" and the other is the title track.
UrbanBridgez.com: Who did you enjoy working with the most?
Teairra Mari: Oh God! I can't say [laughs] I enjoyed working with everyone, but I worked with Rico the most, so that was like home.
UrbanBridgez.com: What are your long term goals with your career?
Teairra Mari: Reach deeper. I want to start a shoe and accessory line. And just be happy.
For More on Teairra: Teairra Mari MySpace
Previous Backstage Features...
* Pleasure P (Interview)
* Akon (Interview)
