Instrument: Performer
Representative Album: "Roc-A-Fella Records Presents Teairra Marí"
Biography
With a name that's nearly an anagram for "Teena Marie," Teairra Mari broke out nationally in 2005 with a single titled "Make Her Feel Good." Upon hearing the song, you could've been forgiven for thinking that the Teena Marie connection runs a little deeper, considering Mari's pouty delivery and assertive lyrics. Actually a Detroit native with no genetic relationship to her elder, Mari's first release was an EP released through the independent K.I.S.S. Productions. The disc made its way into the hands of Island Def Jam chairman Antonio "L.A." Reid, and once he heard Mari sing in person, he offered a contract. Mari released her debut album on the Island Def Jam-distributed Roc-a-Fella, with full support from Roc-a-Fella head Jay-Z, in August 2005. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
Marí worked with Jay-Z, in his first collaboration project since becoming president of Def Jam Records, to create "Make Her Feel Good" along with producer Sean Garrett, the lead single from her debut album on Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam that reached number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the R&B charts.[1] It was heavily played on BET but barely on MTV. The second single "No Daddy" had a video that led to commercial success on MTV. The video spent sixteen days on Total Request Live, reaching number four. Shortly after she released her third single "Phone Booth" only to radio outlets and got a lukewarm response due to it not having a video and no promotion, she also made cameo apparences in various videos such as Biggie (Nasty girl), 3LW (Feelin You) Jay-Z (Show Me What You Got) and played the leading lady in Sammie's video for You Should Be My Girl [2]. Teairra Marí's first album, Roc-A-Fella Presents: Teairra Marí, was released on August 2, 2005 and was produced by Brian Michael Cox, Darkchild, Cool And Dre, Blackout Movement, The Trackboyz, Kwame and was co exectutive produced by Sean Garrett. The album reached the #5 position on the Billboard 200 albums chart and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts[3] while modeling and doing ads for the Roca Wear campaign.
2006: Second Round
Teairra received a phone call on her prom night from Roc-A-Fella executives, where she was told that due to low unexpected album sales from her first album, the label decided to drop her as an artist. Mari was scheduled to release her Sophomore album, Second Round but due to her contract release, she was unable to.[citation needed]
2007-present: Warner Bros. Records & At That Point
In 2007, Marí signed a lucrative deal with Violator but decided to split with them as she landed a new development deal with Fo'Reel Ent. under the wing of Cudda Love (the man responsible for Nelly's success).[4] She is currently signed to Warner Bros. Records and is working on a new album titled "At That Point"[5] which will be released October 20 with production by Pharrell Williams, The Underdogs, The Runners, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins,[6]Ron "NEFF-U" Feemstar, The Movement, DJ Clue, Polow Da Don, Miscke, Tank and Rico Love, so far collaborations include Kanye West, Pleasure P, Flo Rida, Rick Ross, and Nicki Minaj.[7] The promo single "Hunt 4 U" was released in early January with a video to follow shortly after while the official first single is "Cause A Scene" featuring Flo Rida with a video recently filmed.[8] Aside from music, Teairra is currently the spokemodel for the new clothing line Jean Addicts which is set to launch later this year, and she completed a film called The Magnificent Cooly-T. with Jackie Long.[9] The single Cause A Scene was released digitally on July 14, and At That Point is currently awaiting it's November 17 release. The official second single is confirmed to be "Sponsor" featuring Soulja Boy Tell 'Em and Gucci Mane. She is currently on set along with Bow Wow for the movie Lottery Ticket.
