Teairra Mari is the newly crowned "Princess of the Roc." Her song "Make Her Feel Good," has become a summertime anthem. Despite the maturity of the song Teairra is only 17 years old. I had a chance to talk with this Detroit native recently. Peep the interview. She was in the middle of eating so her answers were brief but it was nice speaking with her. She was very polite. Her self-titled album hits stores August 2nd.

I read you're from Detroit huh?
Teairra Mari-Yeah! Detroit.

I'm from the Midwest too, I'm from Chicago.
Teairra Mari-Really.

How long have you been pursuing a recording career?
Teairra Mari-I was twelve when I started. I was twelve years old when I started recording, every since I have been in it or really going at it hard, but I have always wanted to sing.

I really like your song. You sound a lot older than you are.
Teairra Mari-Everyone says that. I don't know if that's good or bad.

I guess that's good. It's a good song.
Teairra Mari-Thank you!

Are there any remixes out, I've just heard the original version.
Teairra Mari-Bleek did a remix. Jadakiss is going to do the official remix.

So how did you end up getting your record deal with Roc-A-Fella?
Teairra Mari-I was signed to Def Jam a year ago. Jay was just getting his seat at Def Jam, L.A. wanted me to meet Jay formally as the president and when I met him he was just amazed with my personality and everything and was like, "Okay we have to move you over to Roc-A-Fella."

So are you going to be the first female R&B artist ever to release a record on Roc-A-Fella?
Teairra Mari-Umm…I don't think ever, but for the new generation yes. In the old one I think there were a couple of other.

What are you eating for lunch today?
Teairra Mari-Salad.

Is the video out yet? I haven't had a chance to check it out yet.
Teairra Mari-Yeah. Go to Roc-A-Fella.com and check it out.

The album comes out in August.
Teairra Mari-August 2nd.

Are you touring to support the album?
Teairra Mari-Yes, I am. I don't know what's official yet but I will be going out doing something, a promo tour.

Since you got started in the music business so young did you get to finish regular high school and go to prom and everything?
Teairra Mari-No I didn't. Actually my prom is next year. I'm an 06.

But you are doing so much cool stuff though.
Teairra Mari-I know. I'll get to go to the Grammy's how about that.

Are you going to the BET Awards next week?
Teairra Mari-I don't know yet. Trying to decide if I want to.

Who were your musical influences when you were coming up?
Teairra Mari-Prince, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, SWV, Xscape, Jodeci, I have so many.

Were you ever a member of a group or were you always a solo artist?
Teairra Mari-I was a member of a group. It was me and my cousin and the groups name was Babi.

Do you pick out your own clothes or do you have a stylist?
Teairra Mari-I have a stylist but we work together. She doesn't just dress me.

So now you album is about to come out, the video is out, the song is all hot over the radio is it everything that you thought it would be?
Teairra Mari-Actually it is. I'm very pleased with it. It's much more.

Listen to Teairra Mari discuss having a stylist and being a recording artist

So right now you are doing a lot of promotion and everything?
Teairra Mari-Yes, ma'am.

What is the name of the album?
Teairra Mari-It's self titled.

What can you tell me about the album?
Teairra Mari-It's like a girl's handbook, a girl's dictionary. It's fun, we have ballads, feel good records, club bangers, we have it all on there.

What guest artists do you have on the album? If you have any.
Teairra Mari-I don't have any as of yet. We are still wrapping up but as of yet I don't. I'm kinda fine with that. I want to hold my own.

Do you ever get on-line and talk to any of your fans on the website?
Teairra Mari-No. I just got this Sidekick that they e-mail me at.

Do you get to go home and see your family a lot?
Teairra Mari-No. I'm going this week actually.

Have you noticed now that you are blowing up any of your old friends treating you differently?
Teairra Mari-No not my friends. My friends I only had a few they are still the same. But people I associated with may act a little different.

The first time you performed for Jay-Z were you nervous?
Teairra Mari-No not at all.

Did you take formal singing lessons?
Teairra Mari-No I didn't. Church.

What are your interests besides singing?
Teairra Mari-Talking on the phone. I like to act. I like taking pictures, modeling.

Have you read any scripts yet?
Teairra Mari-Not yet. I'm trying to focus on this right now.

New music from Teaiira Mari "How To Make Her Feel Good" Featuring Jay-Z WMA Format Teairra Mari Official Website

Interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, and Thabiz.com 2005
Dorrie Williams-Wheeler is the author of Be My Sorority Sister Under Pressure and the Unplanned Pregnancy Book for Teens and College Students. She is the founder of Thabiz.com and Imissthe80s.com and writes for the Rap, Teen, and 1980s section at Bellaonline.com. She is an ASCAP member as a writer and a publisher. Please contact Dorrie for advertising inquiries, lyric writing inquiries, reprint rights, paying entertainment jobs, or general comments.
Visit Dorrie on the web at www.sparkledoll.com or e-mail her at webmaster@thabiz.com.

May not be reprinted, copied or distributed.
Interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, thabiz.com June 2005