HHD (THEHIPHOPDIVA): How did you land your Rock-A-Fella deal with Def Jam at the age of 16?
TM (TEAIRRA MARI): I started recording when I was about 12. The first song I recorded was in my cousin’s basement. After that I ended up running into this guy that had a better studio in Detroit. My mom was like let’s go over there and see what he’s talking about. He’s interested in signing you. We went over to his studio and it was way better than the basement. We got nice quality recorded music. We shopped the demo around and he had some friends in Atlanta that he linked us up with. They introduced us to LA Reid. I performed for LA Reid and he signed me on the spot. Jay Z had just got his job as President of Def Jam. I went and met Jay Z and he was like I want to give you the Rock-A-Fella stamp.HHD: When you were with Rock-A-Fella you released one album and then you moved on. Can you take us back to that time and let us know what was going through your head and what that experience was like for you at the time that you were separated from Rock-A-Fella?
TM: It was crazy. I was so young. They didn’t know this, but they released me on my prom day. I was actually getting ready for the prom when I got the phone call. It was funny how I thought my life was planned out and then everything was going wrong. I was young and didn’t quite understand the business side of things. I took some time off. I had to reevaluate. I ended up meeting this guy and flying to LA and recording with him and the chemistry was great and after that I got over being dropped real quick.HHD: You released your last album in 2005 and you’re scheduled to release your second album this year. That’s a seven year timespan. When you drop this album this year what are you hoping to accomplish?
TM: Hopefully I get to have a broader platform. I would like the album to at least go gold, I would be happy with that. I would be happy with touring, meeting my fans, and just being able to take care of my family and be happy. I’m not looking for much, everything else will come. I’m just asking to make a living.
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