24: Growing up in the 90’s you seen the Brandies and Monicas. What influenced you to chase a dream in music?

Teairra Mari: I think definitely seeing those girls. I was a big fan of Sade and Tina Turner. I just wanted to be like Tina Turner, I wanted to be like Sade. Just like you said Monica and Brandy, seeing those girls and how young they were, I think Monica was 13,14 thats was very inspiring because it was like they’re young girls so I can do it too. I always had a passion for singing. So I was like hey I’m a go get it. Then I told my mom and she was down and we shaped it.

24: You’re a singer, an actress and a model. What field do you feel more comfortable in?

Teairra Mari: Of course singing its my first love. I love to act, I love taking pictures so those are things that I love.. But singing is just my second nature.

24: You were recording at a young age before you got into professional studios. Did that prepare you?

Teairra Mari: Yea. When i was twelve I was recording in a professional studio. Well first I was recording in my cousin basement and then we went straight to the professional studio and that was like at age of twelve. I was like eleven when I did my first joint in the basement. I don’t know if cutting in that basement prepared for me for aprofessional studio because when I got there it was different, it was day and night.

24: What was the difference?

Teairra Mari: Well in the basement it was just me and my cousin. We didn’t really have a real engineer it was just us and he’s a rapper. I wasn’t doubling or doing stuff that a professional engineer would have you do. I was eleven at the time so I didn’t know any better, that was the difference. I probably lay down one track like a rapper and maybe ad lib and that was it. (Laughs)

24: As a female do you think its hard to stay relevant in the game?

Teairra Mari: I think as a female. I think as anything you just gotta put yourself out there. You gotta put your best foot forward and I don’t think its hard to stay relevant. Its what you make it. Thats what I believe.

24: What was the experience like being apart of being the so called former Dynasty Roc-a-Fella?

Teairra Mari: It was great. I was never really a big rap fan like that….. But my favorite rapper was Tupac because thats what I listen to all day long, everyday and my mom was Biggie fan. So Biggie and Tupac was all we really listened to in my household. I knew who Jay was, but I never was into his music. So when I was signed to Roc-a Fella, I was happy cause everybody around me let me know how big of a deal it was but I really didn’t know. I was just happy to be apart. Once I got down with the team and learned the history, learned his music and did my homework I was very very happy to be apart. Roc-a-Fella is a dynamic part of Hip Hop history.

24: You’re currently signed to Warner Bros. Do you think its a better situation than before?

Teairra Mari: I would it say its a better situation then before because I know certain ins and out of the business now. I’m a business woman and I am in control of my own career and thats why I say its a better situation . Its not because of no people or personal things its a just a better situation. I am more prepared. I know business from pleasure and business from personal things. I just came in to this field knowing to be on my shit.

24: You got records like ‘Cause a Scene’ and ‘Hunt For’ that are making some noise. Is this album going sound like that Crazy Girl friend feel? (laughs)

Teairra Mari: I don’t really know what you mean by crazy girl friend feel. (laughs). This album got club bangers, its got mid tempo, its got sexy get your freak on. Whatever you want. I think this album delivers the whole package, I love every song on it. I wouldn’t say crazy girl friend but I would say just a real chick. It relatable to every chick white, black whatever you are you can relate. It speaks on situations that women go through every day.

24: What is your advice to women that are going these situations?

Teairra Mari: We can start with ‘Cause a Scene’. I would say don’t get ignorant if you don’t have to. Don’t let anybody push you to that limit. Thats what the song is say Don’t test me. Dont make me go there. I want to keep it cool You keep playing games and testing me, I’m a embarrass you. (Laughs)

24: (Laughs) okay. Is there a title for the album?

Teairra Mari: The album is titled “At that point”. Its just a reflection of everything I’ve been through, every where that I’ve been. Up, down, around and finally now at the point of no return, a point of comfort in my own shoes, a point of just being a resilient woman.

24: You’re first album went # 5 on the Billboard 200 and # 2 on Top Hip Hop album charts. Do you feel as if you’ve got something to prove with this album?

Teairra Mari: I was going back and forth with that even before I went to go record the album. While recording this album I proved to myself that I can do it again. That I can go do what I love and with a sense of proudness and sense of dignity and resilience because I bounced back. I was at a point I was very down and out of it. Now I’m at a point where I do it for the love of it. For the people who buy it thank you I appreciate it, I love you and I hope you got a message from it. For the people who don’t, its cool I dont feel like I have a point to prove anymore.

24: So what can we expect to be on there as far as collabs?

Teairra Mari: I have collabs with Nicki Minaj, Flo-rida, Pleasure P, Rick Ross and couple of others but those are the main ones. My favorite one is with Nicki Minaj called ‘Automatic.’ You gotta check that out.

24: I’m going to ask some personal questions.

Teairra Mari: Okay

24: As an artist do you think the industry is only based on looks?

Teairra Mari: No I don’t think that. I think those days are gone. I think its based on talent, people don’t care how you look.

24: How do you keep fit and keep your voice on point to do what you do?

Teairra Mari: Cardio. I run on the treadmill everyday if I ain’t got the treadmill I’m walking around somebody block. Thats how I keep my breathing up. So that when I perform I don’t sound out of breath. Thats how I stay fit as well. Its healthy to do that whether you sing or not.

24: So what’s your motivation to keep going?

Teairra Mari: My motivation is just me and my life and my dreams from the get go from when I was little girl. I lost sight of that when I went though being dropped from Def Jam. I lost sight of what I really started for and I really started cause I love to sing and thats where my heart was. Thats my motivation. I look back into my child hood and see me and my family and what inspires me. My family inspires me every time I hear certain music. I just think back to those times where I was a child and I thought everything was possible. So when I get back in that mind set I’m very motivated!

24: I want to thank you for kicking it with me. I know you got a busy day.

Teairra Mari: Thank you I appreciate your time

24: No problem. same here. Any last words you want to say to the world?

Teairra Mari: Yes thank you guys for your support, those of who have been supporting. Check me out on www.Myspace.com/teairramari or you can follow me on www.Twitter.com/teairra_monroe