Teenie Bopper Part Deux: Teyana Taylor

I'm really starting to believe Harlem USA is its own planet. I mean, have you ever been? As soon as you step off the train and breathe the air, it's almost as if you've walked onto the pages of a story book. The place is quite magical and by far one of the most historical neighborhoods New York City has to offer. (Ok enough...moving on) Our second teenie bopper for the week ,Teyana Taylor, is Star Trak Entertainment's new teen protege. The 17 year old singer/rapper skipped onto the scene in 2007 decked out in her fresh Air Force Ones, Heatherette dresses and 10 speed mountain bikes. Her debut album From A Planet Called Harlem was scheduled for release in August. Although the album didn't drop, the Jazzy Pha produced hit single Google Me has received lots of attention over the internet via Youtube. You've also probably seen her 80s themed MTV Super Sweet 16 episode. (You know you're getting old when kids have themed parties for the decade you were born)But what else is there to know about the self proclaimed teen president of the nerd squad? This excerpt from a Trace Magazine article discusses Ms. Taylor's sense of style, her working relationship with Pharrell, and even her somewhat secret crush.(provided through Concrete Loop)

TEYANA ON TEACHING BEYONCE
Beyoncé even enlisted Teyana to teach her the dance for a segment in her “Ring The Alarm” video.

“She was mad focused and really wanted to learn,” recalls Teyana.

TEYANA ON HER CRUSH
“It’s Shia Labeouf! I’ve got my eye on him. I mean, for real. He’s so cute and I looove his swagger.”

But she makes sure to note that her career is her boyfriend

“Yeah, I do have my eye on Shia, but to be honest performing is my boyfriend right now. That’s just what I really love and we’ve been together for so long.”

TEYANA ON HER LOOK
“I always stood out as far as dressing,” she says. “I like to look different and people know me for that. My look is a mix of old-school hip-hop and skater.”

TEYANA ON PHARRELL
“I sang for the Senior Vice President of A&R at Universal, and he asked me the top five people I would really want to work with and my first three were Pharrell. It was crazy to meet him. I mean I love that dude and we connected,” Teyana recalls.

Pharrell couldn’t agree more, “I heard about how talented she was, and I wanted to meet her. I was impressed she could, sing, dance and rap, so we gave her a shot.”

TEYANA ON RECEIVING FREE CLOTHES FROM ‘HEATHERETTE’
“I love their clothes. They make a dress, and it’s not like a pretty princess dress. It’s not girlie but more rock star and out there. That’s like the only dresses I’ll wear. They are just like me – they are unique and don’t care what people say. I fell in love with them, and them with me,” says Teyana.

In all honesty, I think the young teenie booper's style is more engaging then her music. Don't get me wrong, I dig a few of her songs. Let's see, if I were a stary eyed, naive 16 year old kid I would probably ditch Lil Momma and go cop From A Planet Called Harlem as soon as it droped. But since I'm past the teenage love affair stage and looking more for...umm grown up music, I'll just download a few tracks from iTunes. The fact she's Pharell's young protege and the most recent act in the Star Trak line up has her teenage fans in a craze. Having a great production squad is half the battle, and when one of your label mates is the King of hot beats its almost inevitable that you'll sell records. She can dance, she can sing, she has tremendous style, and she's interesting. After all there's nothing worse than a boring entertainer. (cough cough Deborah Cox, Maxwell, just to name a few) Check out her website for more information on tour dates, events, and featured articles.

Teenie Bopper Blackout: Chasing The Legacy

25 years after Run DMC appeared on the front cover of Word Up Magazine, Joseph Simmons and Team Blackout will follow in their footsteps. The Queens/Long Island based group consisting of JoJo Simmons and his childhood friends Zach and Reggie have been rhyming together since the 7th grade. The trio officially decided to unite in 2003 after the 2-day power outage (blackout)affecting most states in the Northeastern US territory. Their first single Billion Dollar Boyfriend off their debut album Light's Out was released August 19, 2008. The entire album was produced by upcoming production duo Chris n Teeb, Grammy award winning producer Rockwilder and Ron Browz. Team Blackout became a recognizable group after being featured on the MTV reality series Run's House.

NOW for my 2 cents--
These youngins are doing BIG things. As mentioned above, the entire album was produced by up and comping producers not to mention the video for Billion Dollar Boyfriend was filmed by up and coming video producer Joe Cap, a recent graduate of Hofstra University. My advice, if you have a dream and a little bit of change in your pocket...GO FOR IT! These young gentlemen sure did. On the other hand, if your not a fan of the artificial-studio-instrumental sound DO NOT listen to the Imeem player below THIS IS NOT THE GROUP FOR YOU! lol After listening to a few tracks, I'm under the assumption one of the members sings the chorus & bridges and the other two rap. This is a perfect combination given the direction of the industry. Now-a-days you can't find a Hip-hop song without a featured artist singing on the hook. Sure they rap about girls, money, cars, chains, and all of the things us regular people don't have. Honestly, what else is there to write about at 18-20 years old? Would we really expect Rev Run's son Jojo to spit lines inciting the struggles of growing up impoverished....NO! And I'm almost willing to bet my next paycheck his fellow group members aren't strangers to middle class living (which is quite apparent in the single Why Wouldn't I) :o) I know privileged kids when I see em. Some of the songs bare an uncanny resemblance to Pretty Ricky singles which could prove to be a issue for the trio. In my opinion, Team Blackouts 3 members versus Pretty Ricky's 4 may help with marketability.

It may be extremely difficult to top Run DMC's legacy but Team Blackout has the essentials to give them a run (no pun intended) for their money. If we are going to compare lets look at a few Run DMC songs to make the Billboard charts.

Run DMC (please note only the singles peaking at #30 or below are included)
It's Like That Peaked at #15
Hard Times Peaked at #11
Rock Box Peaked at #22
30 Days Peaked at #16
King Of Rock Peaked at #14
You Talk Too Much Peaked at #19
Can You Rock It Like This Peaked at #19
My Addidas Peaked at #5
Walk This Way (f/ Steven Tyler) Peaked at #8
You Be Illin' Peaked at #12
It's Tricky Peaked at #21
Run's Hous Peaked at 10
Mary, Mary Peaked at 29
What's It All About Peaked at #24
Down With The King Peaked at #9

I see Rappers weren't that big on callabos back in the day. We are all aware the industry has changed. Hip Hop has evolved from lyrically conscious raw material to beats and swag. I mean what can I say? Soulja Boy made this a reality. So let's break down the elements they have working both for and against them.

Team Blackout
In house R&B singer
Cable network (MTV) platform
Russell Simmons's money :-D
No street credibility
Mostly studio produced/enhanced instrumentals
Young chicks will dig them
We all love the Simmons family

Run DMC
In house DJ better known as Jam Master Jay
None of Russell Simmons's money (he wasn't bankin back then)
Street credibility
Young chicks dug them

I'm certain I'm more excited about the group being a product of the Simmons family as opposed to them being new school Hip Hop pioneers. Well, what hasn't this family done? Angela & Vanessa have the Pastry Shoe line, JoJo & friends have recently formed a rap group, now all we need is Diggy and Russy to organize some type of variety show/circus act. Watching those two is comparable to a Barnum & Bailey experience. Might I add they are quite entertaining and adorable. In the end, Team Blackout gets a 3 star rating. One for each member of the group!