Bold, real, sweet, and sassy are just a few words that describe TVT Record's R&B siren. New Orleans native, Teedra Moses entered the industry as a stylist assistant working with artists like; R Kelly and Nas and now she's ready to deliver her own brand of hip-hop soul. Her single "You'll never find (A better woman)" with Jadakiss was a story that more than a few women could relate to. And it wasn't just the music; there was pain, heart and soul in her voice that was demanding attention. With her straightforward and honest lyrics, this singer/songwriter won't bite her tongue on or off record.

Her debut album "Complex Simplicity" is scheduled to drop this summer. And she still managed to write new songs for artist like; Christian Milian, Natasha and Nivea, just to name a few. Get to know music's newest rising star as she goes one on one with MahoganyGirl.

MahoganyGirl: How long have you been singing?
Teedra Moses: I've been singing for about three years now. I started out as a wardrobe assistant, so I was in the industry for like five years, but I wasn't all up in it as a singer.

MG: Did you always have aspirations to sing?
TM: Yes, but not realistically. I didn't think I would end up singing, I mean I wanted to, but I wasn't very optimistic about really pursuing it.

MG: How did you make the transition from stylist to singer?
TM: A friend of mine who was in the industry for a while introduced me to some producers and one of the producers (Pauli Pol) ended up producing the majority of the album.

MG: Do you think your background in the industry gives you an edge?
TM: I think it gives me a realistic view of it (the industry). I didn't think I was going to come in, get signed and become a superstar right away. I didn't have this idea that everything was going to be extremely easy. Cause I've seen how it works for other artists.

MG: You're doing a lot of writing on your album.
TM: I'm doing ALL my writing.

MG: That's cool.
TM: That is cool (she laughs). I'm glad they let me write my songs. I use to tell my friends that are in the industry that I wanted to write my entire first album and they were like 'Naw, they aint gonna let you do that'. But who better to write my story than me. I'm just glad they allowed me to do it.

MG: When did you start writing?
TM: I've been writing songs that never left my head for over ten years. But I never had the opportunity to get the music and the songs out. And I never had tracks; I would create the music and the melodies in my head. So when it was time to record in the studio I was ready to go.

MG: How would you describe your sound?
TM: My sound is 80's based hip-hop R&B. It's soulful but not neo soul. It's just me and it coincides with who I am.

MG: What else do you want to do with your blossoming career?
TM: I really want to push the writing side of my career. I want to be like Missy Elliot (she laughs). I want people to come to me for the hits. That's my goal. I want to be the next female that can write a song for people like myself and also an artist like Pink. I want to be behind the scenes.

MG: What do you think people will take from you and your debut album?
TM: I hope they say, dam she's honest! She's extremely honest. She's crazy but she's trying. She's fucked up, but she's trying. I just hope they never expect me to be something that I'm not.

- [ LS ] -