UB Anniversary ReVisit: The Debut of Teedra Moses | Rollout T M H Interview

Today, we officially kick off our Anniversary Celebration.

Over the next few months, we’ll be spotlighting features from our e-zines from the last 25 years. T M H Entertainment, T M Hxone and Urban Bridgez.

As the longest running website for R&B online, since 1999 – We’ve been apart of some amazing rollouts, with artists who are now house-hold names!

We kick it off with Teedra Moses who’s an R&B singer and songwriter. In 2004 we were asked by our rep at TVT Records to help launch Teedra‘s single “Be Your Girl.”

We were also granted one of the first interviews with Teedra as she promoted her debut album “Complex Simplicity,” celebrating it’s 20th Anniversary this year.

No contemporary R&B singer and songwriter who debuted during the 2000s, has combined vulnerability and boldness with as much finesse as Teedra Moses. Born and raised in New Orleans, she relocated to California with her mother after her parents’ divorce.

Exposed to gospel early — her mother was once active on the Southern church revival circuit — Teedra Moses brought a little bit of that fervor to her own vocal style when she began writing and singing professionally, which followed a stint as a wardrobe stylist.

She released her debut single, “Be Your Girl,” in 2003, the following year, her song “Dip It Low,” a song she co-wrote — became a top 5 pop single.

She continued to mix a light gospel touch with mature and soul-rooted contemporary R&B on her debut album, “Complex Simplicity,” which was issued in July 2004 on TVT Records.

The album was executive produced by Teedra and producing partner Pauli Pol. The album was released 20 years ago on August 10, 2004.

The album reached the top 10 of the Top Independent Albums chart on Billboard.

Since then Teedra has gone on to write songs for artists such as Nivea and Mary J Blige she was also featured on two songs from Raphael Saadiq‘s Ray Ray album and has had her songs showcased on Noah’s Arc.

Teedra released her last album in 2015 entitled “Cognac & Conversation” on Shanachie Records.

TVT Records artist Teedra Moses is shooting a video this month in New York for her single “Be Your Girl” with Hype Williams directing. The singer recently performed “Be Your Girl” and “You’ll Never Find (A Better Woman)” with Jadakiss on TV program “Showtime at the Apollo” at the famed Harlem, N.Y., theater on a bill with TVT labelmates Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz. Moses is benefiting from a wave of media exposure for her debut album, including a performance at the Soul Train Awards in January, a feature in Vibe magazine and an interview on tmhxone.com, an online entertainment magazine.
– Billboard Magazine (March 20, 2004) | Click for Image

In 2004, Teedra Moses spoke to us via our then e-zine T M Hxone and talked to us about her debut album “Complex Simplicity.”

She shared with us the long delay on the album release, and her favorite songs from the release.

Teedra spoke on her musical influences and shared her gratitude for her first hit “Dip it Low” and more.

Aries: What took the album so long to come out?
Teedra Moses: You want the truth or the short version (laughs)?

Aries: (laughs), Well we’re always looking for the truth, but whatever is easier for you to explain.
Teedra Moses: (laughs), You know what, a lot of songs that are on the album now were done a long time ago. I was ready but TVT wasn’t. TVT wanted to put more time into marketing me and promotion, so they delayed the album a few times. So I went back in and did some more songs while they were waiting to release it and some of those songs now appear on the album people will get. So really that’s the truth and now we’re both ready!

Aries: What’s your favorite track from your album?
Teedra Moses: My favorite song is “I Think of You” (Shirley’s Song). It’s dedicated to my mother who passed away and she was a gospel singer as well. The song starts out with her singing, then I come in. A lot of people didn’t know it was like that. They think it’s all me (laughs).

Aries: I’m not even gonna lie, I was just listening to the CD and I didn’t realize that either (laughs).
Teedra Moses: (laughs), See you have to listen (laughs). But no, people who knew her and everything kind of know the first time they hear it, but others are always surprised when I tell them that. So don’t feel bad.

Aries: What overall expression do you want music lovers and listeners to get from your album?
Teedra Moses: Just to see where I was coming from when I recorded it. Like this is some of the realest shit I have ever heard. It’s all me, you know! No tricks, just the truth. The producers who worked on my album just let me be me. It’s just real and it’s coming from my heart, I’m not trying to fit in with what’s playing on the radio. Teedra is just being Teedra and I was writing about what I was going through at that given time. I want people to feel it.

Aries: What singers have influenced you?
Teedra Moses: So many, but I have to say Prince is #1 without a doubt! What he does is simply amazing. Prince does it all and all genres of music. He doesn’t just do all genres of music, but he is great at doing them all. We all can do a lot of different things, but to be great at them all is just amazing. Every artists can not do that. To tell you the truth, I kinda see myself like that. I mean I love all kinds of music & I feel I can do it all. I aspire to be near him one day. Vocally, I gotta say Angela Winbush, I mean she has voice control and personality in her voice. Not too many singers have it like that. I mean Beyonce’ is another one, she has crazy personality in her voice. I love to listen to singers like that.

Aries: How does it feel to have a top-10 single with “Dip it Low?”
Teedra Moses: Yeah I co-wrote that song. It feels wonderful and it’s just crazy. You see someone with your personality and they are just representing your creation on a track is crazy. I mean she felt what I was doing and something I felt and to tell you the truth, it feels better than having a hit for my own record.

Aries: Who would you like to collaborate with in the near future?
Teedra Moses: Umm, I would say LeToya Williams as an artist, I just love her voice. And as a writer also, her voice is amazing. Nina Sky as writers, those two have some great personalities. Nas of course, he is such a dope rapper. I could be here all day naming people (laughs).

Aries: Do you have any ideas on what your next single is going to be?
Teedra Moses: “Outta My Head,” the one we’re going to release is going to be a little different than the one on the album. I’m going in and re-recording the vocals for the radio and video mix. It’s a song about falling in and out of love. It’s like we’ve tried this and we can’t go back, but your feelings are still there of course. I love how I sing that song. I think it’s the best vocally structured song on my album.

Aries: What’s Next for you?
Teedra Moses: A tour starting in September. The album of course. I’m also working on two mixtapes with the young hustlers. They’re going to be mad grimey. I come from the streets so I’m use to being around hood people and those are who I relate to. That’s who I am. I’m also working on a production company with my sister who also manages me. The company is called Black Moses Music. I also plan to work with other artists in the near future.

Aries: Any last words for your fans?
Teedra Moses: Yes, I would like to say… life is too short, so live the shit up!