Detroit native Teairra Mari, now 17, began her young career at age 12, recording in her cousin?s basement. She soon caught the attention of Big Mike, Ed K and Helluvah of Detroit?s K.I.S.S. Productions, which developed her from the age of 13 onward. Under Big Mike?s guidance, Teairra spent every free moment in the studio, working with some of the hottest producers and songwriters in the game, including Helluvah, Disco D, Big Mike, Chaz M, Detail, Lyriq, AK and J.R.
K.I.S.S. Productions arranged for Teairra Mari to collaborate with artists such as Ray J, J Kwon, Lola Damone and Bee, and for Teairra to appear on Detroit?s Fox 2 Morning Show and UPN 50 Sports Rap. Eventually, the young diamond-in-the-rough was honed into a polished gem, ready to take the industry by storm.
In October 2003, K.I.S.S. Productions released Teairra?s first album, an EP called ?Get Away,? which became a local sensation. ?Get Away? includes the title track plus four more songs currently available only on this album.
When she was age 16, K.I.S.S.? Big Mike felt that Teairra was ready for the big time, and he brought the R&B starlet in front of a who?s who of label execs. Candy Tookes, a friend of Big Mike, introduced the pair to industry veteran Daryl Simmons in Atlanta. Simmons then shared Teairra?s
K.I.S.S. Productions-produced demo disc with Antonio ?LA? Reid, Chairman of the Island Def Jam Group. After hearing Teairra Mari perform live, Reid offered her a contract on the spot.
Teairra worked with Shawn ?Jay-Z? Carter, in his first collaboration project since becoming President of Def Jam, to create ?Make Her Feel Good,? the hit single from her upcoming album on Def Jam?s Roc-A-Fella Records label.
