Versatile Singer/Songwriter Teenear Delivers With New Miami Sound

Slip-N-Slide Records’ Singer/Songwriter Teenear Restores Faith In Miami Sound

From the house that Ted Lucas built, Magic City based Slip-n-Slide Records, formerly home to Trick Daddy, Trina and more recently Rick Ross and Plies among others, comes their latest discovery, a bonafide triple-threat, who simply goes by the name of Teenear… #TeebirdsUnite.

Check out our interview with the young songstress as she talks linking up with Slip-n-Slide Records, pursuing this dream at 15 years old, new music and aspirations.

Parlé Mag: Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Teenear?
Teenear: I’ve been interested in music my entire life. I grew up around music, especially Slip-n-Slide Records. With the record label being Miami-based, Trick and Trina were like the two people I heard the most about! Ha ha! And, they’ve done nothing but motivate me.

Parlé Mag: Growing up in Miami, who all did you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
Teenear: I’m born and raised in Miami. Growing up, I always listened to Aaliyah, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, and, of course, Beyoncé. Beyoncé is definitely one of my biggest right now, mainly because of the brand she’s built for herself all from music. At the end of the day, my ultimate goal is to build a brand; a brand that’s going to go on way past even my existence on this earth.

Parlé Mag: At what point in time, specifically, did you even opt to pursue music on a professional level?
Teenear: I decided I wanted to pursue music on a professional level when I turned 15 years old. All my life I’ve loved to sing, but it wasn’t until I was 15 that I actually decided like, “okay, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I’m going to put my all into it, start posting on social media, and just putting myself out there to see what happens.”

Parlé Mag: With that being said, how do you classify your overall sound and/or style?
Teenear: Right now, I feel like I’m still growing up, trying different things, and discovering myself. I’m doing what I feel at the moment. I never want to be stuck in a box. I want to be versatile when it comes to my music and my style.

Parlé Mag: In having said that, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration from?
Teenear: A lot of my music comes from experiences people go through at my age or even a little older. I want to keep it in a way where people can relate to what I’m singing, so when I’m recording a song or writing a song I make sure it’s something that not only I connect to, but everyone connects to.

Parlé Mag: What particular string of events actually led up to your current inking to Slip-n-Slide Records?
Teenear: When I was younger, I always sang at church; my first time singing in front of the entire congregation was when I was five years old. So many people in the church knew me as a child, and when I turned 15 I decided to lead the youth church and become a youth praise team member, which meant every second Sunday I would have to go sing in front of all of the adults. Ted Lucas goes to my church, so people started talking and going up to him, including the pastor, to tell him he has to come and hear me sing. He finally came out one Sunday, and it pretty much all began from there.

Parlé Mag: What do you feel you bring to the music industry that we don’t already have in other performers?
Teenear: I really do have a huge love and passion for music, and everything people hear from me represents who I am 100%. I’m never going to put out anything that isn’t true to who I am, and I’m not just a gimmick a label is putting together. Everything you see and will see in the future, is me.

Parlé Mag: Have you encountered any problems in getting to this point in your career?
Teenear: Honestly right now, I don’t have anything I can really complain about. Obviously being in this industry isn’t easy, there are a lot of difficult times because there’s hard work you have to put into it. You get exhausted and you get frustrated, but just like any other career when you love what you’re doing the small bumps don’t matter.

Parlé Mag: What do you want people to get from your music?
Teenear: I want people to feel good when they listen to my music. I hope they feel my positive spirit and get positive vibes from everything that I put out.

Parlé Mag: Your latest single is entitled “Friday Night” — Tell me about this particular composition?
Teenear: “Friday Night” was my first single featuring Sage the Gemini. It’s a song that relates to everybody! At least once in your life you find out somebody tried (to) play you, but you’re not dumb and it doesn’t phase you because with or without them you’re gonna keep doing you.

Parlé Mag: How did this collabo with Sage even come to fruition?
Teenear: “Friday Night” being my first single, I wanted somebody on it that reaches the same audience as I do. Everyone involved felt Sage was the perfect match. He has a great personality and a great spirit. I’m happy that I had someone like him on my first single because it’s representing who I am; he brought great energy to the song.

Watch The Video For “Friday Night” below:

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Parlé Mag: When can we, the masses, expect some more music from you? Like maybe perhaps your “official” full-length debut solo album?
Teenear: You’ll definitely be hearing some more music VERY soon. My first EP will be released at the top of the new year.

Parlé Mag: If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Teenear: I would’ve loved to collaborate with Aaliyah. I love her music so much and from different videos I’ve seen of her, whether it’s performances or interviews, she seemed like she had such an amazing spirit and essence that I really connected to.

Parlé Mag: If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Teenear: Madison Square Garden… so many iconic people have touched that stage. Having a show there, will definitely be a moment to remember.

Parlé Mag: In terms of longevity, what do you feel it is that will continue to sustain you in this grueling industry?
Teenear: My mindset, faith, and drive, are the key components that will help me achieve everything I’ve dreamed for myself.

Parlé Mag: Do you have any other outside/additional future aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
Teenear: My second love is acting. I went to high school for performing arts, specifically musical theater. Singing and acting have always been a love in my life. I plan on getting into acting a lot more, but right now music is my main focus.

Parlé Mag: On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of music?
Teenear: I’m not going to say that I’m not happy with it. There are a lot of songs that I do enjoy listening to and dancing to, but I feel the love in music is lost. There are still a lot of people who put out amazing music, with great stories, but sometimes I hear certain songs and I’m just, “like is this really our generation?” Nowadays, you can hardly get through a song without hearing a curse word or hearing a guy degrade a girl, and it’s honestly so sad. Sometimes I’m just like, “can we go back to the young Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Michael Jackson, and 112 please? Can you please say something sweet??” (Giggles) Not saying that everybody is crazy, but it’s definitely not heard too often.

Parlé Mag: Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
Teenear: Within the next 5 to 10 years, I see myself as a top Grammy/Oscar Award winning female singer-songwriter/actress, not only an inspiration to women and little girls, but also a helping hand that they can reach out to.

Parlé Mag: As for the immediate, what’s next for Teenear?
Teenear: Well within the next few weeks, we plan on putting out a remix to “Streetlights,” that has a Caribbean feel to it that I’m happy about because as a lot of people may not know, I am part Jamaican – thanks Mom! – so it hits home. During the holidays, I’m going to release another single called “Point of No Return.” It’s a deep song that has an amazing storyline that I feel people will appreciate and vibe to.

Watch The Video For “Streetlight” Below:

Parlé Mag: Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?
Teenear: One thing I always like to mention is my spirituality. I 100% believe I couldn’t do any of this without God in my life and the positivity that I put over my life every day. One thing I want to leave with, for anyone who is trying to pursue their dreams, have faith every day of your life. Whatever we set our minds to and believe in is what we will achieve. If you don’t believe in yourself, the world won’t believe in you either.

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