Teairra Mari: The 'Princess of Roc'!

Teairra Mari is the newly crowned 'Princess of Roc'! No, not rock n' roll. More like, the newest artist to be signed, by Jay-Z himself, to Roc-a-Fella Records. This 17-year-old is new to the game, but has heavy hitting supporters with ample experience. L.A Reid signed her on the spot, which must be a testament to her talent. Yes, she is really hot, but now-a-days that's a given!

Teairra Mari's self-titled album is out August 2nd. Her first single, featuring Jay-Z, "Make a Girl Feel" is a huge success. We talk with Teairra Mari about her album, meeting Jay-Z, and what she wants her fans to know about her. If you are bored with listening to the same artists, Teairra Mari may be a welcome and fresh, new R&B princess for your I Pod.

TeenMusic: Tell us what it was like meeting Jay-Z?

Teairra Mari: It was great. He is a wonderful guy. He is so energetic, and our energy just clicked immediately. He is like a big brother. He gives me the best advice. He is great [giggles].

TeenMusic: So how did you get signed?

Teairra Mari: I was signed to a production company in Detroit called Kiss Production. We shot a demo and L.A Reid got hold of [it]. After that I met Jay, who wanted to move me over to Roc-a-Fella.

TeenMusic: What does it feel like to be signed to a label that boasts talents like Foxy Brown and Kanye West?

Teairra Mari: It feels great! It is such an honor to be put in that bunch. Everyone stands out and I love [them all]. I could not have asked for better.

TeenMusic: Yeah, because Roc-a-Fella is relatively small. There is like 11 of you guys, so that is good in terms of you each being able to stand out! Tell us about yourself, Tierra Mari? What do you want fans to know about you?

Teairra Mari: First of all I want them to know that I really, really appreciate their support! I have been going to message boards and reading comments. I don't say anything, I just read. Also, my album comes out August 2nd and if they get the album they will get a great feel for who I am because the album is Teairra all the way.

TeenMusic: Describe your album, in a few words.

Teairra Mari: It is sleek, urban and real!

TeenMusic: How is it a 'girl's dictionary'?

Teairra Mari: You know how when stumble on a word, you look it up in the dictionary to see what it means. If a guy is wondering why his girl is acting a certain way, he can turn to #6, 5 or 4. Whatever it may be.

TeenMusic: So it is like a female index?

Teairra Mari: Yeah [laughs].

TeenMusic: Who are your inspirations?

Teairra Mari: Prince, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Michael Jackson, SWV, Mariah Carey so, so many more, but those are the top ones.

TeenMusic: What was the inspiration for your single 'Make Her Feel Good'?

Teairra Mari: Well, I really wanted to use Eric B. and Rakim's 'Check out my Melody' track. It was such a hit, a classic and nobody had used it. I thought 'that track is really hot, and nobody has though to do that. So we gotta do it!' The whole concept came as I was going through that [experience] while talking to this guy. So I was talking to Sean Greer, telling him the situation. He said let's talk about that, and out of nowhere I am just like 'are there any boys around that know how to make a girl feel good?' He was like 'okay that's the song, that's the hook!' I was just like 'yeeeaah!!'

Teairra Mari's album is in stores August 2nd, 2005!