Profile of Teairra Marí on Famous Like Me

Teairra Marí (born December 2, 1987 in Detroit, Michigan) is an African American R&B singer. She began her 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, Marí 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 Marí to collaborate with artists such as Ray J, J-Kwon, Lola Damone, and Bee and for Marí 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.

At the age of 16, K.I.S.S.' Big Mike felt that Marí 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, Georgia. Simmons then shared Marí's K.I.S.S. Productions-produced demo disc with Antonio "L.A." Reid, Chairman of the Island Def Jam Group. After hearing Teairra Marí perform live, Reid offered her a contract on the spot.

Marí worked with Jay-Z, in his first collaboration project since becoming president of Def Jam, to create "Make Her Feel Good", the hit single from her debut album on Def Jam's Roc-A-Fella Records label.

Controversy

Although "Make Her Feel Good" was a hit in the U.S., it became the subject of some minor controversy. Some felt that Marí, who was only 17 years of age at the time, should not use the word "nigga" in her songs. In the song she sings:

"Do I have to tell a nigga how to touch me/
Do I have to tell a nigga how to hold me/
Do I have to tell a nigga when to call me/
Do I have to tell a nigga I'm lonely/"

The lyrics of several other songs on her album also include profanity.

Discography

Albums

• Get Away (EP) (2003)
• Roc-A-Fella Records Presents Teairra Marí (2005) #5 US

Singles

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