Teenear: God’s Timing

Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Teenear?

Music has always been a big part of my life. Growing up just trying to figure out what I wanted to do with myself, I started venturing to YouTube, doing covers and singing at church. From that positive feedback, it really just gave me the courage to pursue this as a career.

Now you are a native of where exactly? So growing up there, who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Honestly growing up, I really enjoyed listening to Mariah Carey, Aaliyah, Britney Spears, Beyoncé and Michael Jackson. So many amazing artists, but I really look at Beyoncé and Michael Jackson as my overall “goal,” because they’ve created so much for themselves; not only in music, but also outside of music they have just become huge brands, and that’s my goal at the end of the day. I want to be my own brand.

At what point in time, specifically, did you even opt to pursue music on a professional level?

I’ll never forget when Justin Bieber had just came out and he was popping! Every little girl my age was screaming his name 24/7…and honestly at the time, I was just so confused and I remember one day after school I was like, “Now I have to figure out what all this hype is about!” So I started looking up all this stuff about him, and I came across a contest he was doing where you had to write to one of his instrumentals, and for some reason it just intrigued me to try and I sat in my bed for hours just creating from his instrumental. I never actually entered the contest, but I remember running downstairs and showing my aunt and my parents, and it just made me so happy that I did that. Ever since that moment, it just sparked a bigger love for music in me, and I decided it was something that I wanted to take seriously.

With that being said, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

I feel like my sound is very young and pure.

In having said that, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration(s) from?

Life. I definitely want all of my music to be very relatable, so everything that I sing about are the things that my friends or me have actually gone through, or even situations that I’ve heard about.

What particular string of events actually led up to your current inking to Slip-n-Slide Records?

To be honest, it was mainly a conversation. I was young, and for a label to invest in an artist is a big deal. So it was really just a conversation on how serious this is for me, and how great it could be for the evolution of my career.

What do you feel you bring to the music industry that we don’t already have in other performers?

To be honest, I never want to really look at it like that. I am my own person, and I never want to be in a head-space where I feel like I’m competing with anyone else but myself every day. So to answer that question, I just bring me! Nobody else has me; Teenear.

Have you encountered any problems in getting to this point in your career?

I wouldn’t say any “problems,” but I guess the biggest issue I face is that everyone tries to put me in a box and label me as an R&B artist, when not all of my music is R&B and R&B is not the only thing you ever hear from me. I really just enjoy music in general, and when I’m in the studio recording I’m going with any vibe that I’m feeling at the moment.

What do you want people to get from your music?

I guess I just want them to get peace. Peace in knowing that they’re not alone going through a specific situation, whether it be good or bad. I love when people are able to tell me they relate to whatever it is I’m singing.

Your latest single is entitled “Come See Me” — Tell me about this particular composition?

I definitely feel like this song is really just a mood. The title definitely says it all. It’s basically about being in a situation where you’ve probably been talking to somebody for a while, and you want them to come see you to finally put those words into action. “Talk is cheap; whatchu gon’ do when you come see me?? Come thru!!“ PERIOD!!

When can we, the masses, expect some more music from you? Like maybe perhaps your “official” full length debut solo album?

I definitely am planning to be able to put out my first EP in 2021. I was planning on putting it out this year, but with everything that’s been going on we’ve come to the decision that it’s better to just wait. Everything happens for a reason, and I strongly believe that God’s timing is the best timing.

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

It would 100% be Michael Jackson. Like I said before, the whole story behind his career is inspiring to me, and I would love to not only be able to collaborate, but just talk and pick his brain on so many different things.

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

Definitely the Hard Rock Stadium! I can’t wait until the day that I can feel that stadium full of people from my hometown who just support me and helped bring me to that point.

One track of yours that you think defines you and why?

“Need Your Love,” definitely. The whole story behind that song is really just about being young and dating, to be honest, and I feel the few times I have really connected with certain people, it has been hard for me to decipher if it’s love or just lust. I am kind of a romantic when it comes to the people I really connect with, so I feel like I can fall really easily if I feel a certain connection with somebody.

In terms of longevity, what do you feel it is that will continue to sustain you in this grueling industry?

I think continuing to just be me and putting my all behind everything that I do. Continuing to spread genuine and good vibes in not only my music, but when people meet me as well. And lastly, never forgetting to continue to stand on everything I believe in.

Do you have any other outside / additional future aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

Acting is definitely something that’s been a big part of me for a long time, and I’m praying to be able to venture into that further in the near future.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of R&B music?

I think the current state of R&B is personal for everybody. There are R&B artists that I love, and am excited to hear what they come up with next.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment, at least thus far anyway?

My biggest career moment would be accomplishing my own personal milestones along the way. I am proud to have been signed to a label, to have collaborated with great artists, and perform on some of the world’s biggest stages. I don’t feel that anything that I’ve been through in my career is less than. I am thankful for all of my career experiences.

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?

Headlining my second tour and just continuing to share my love with this art, and definitely on the big screen!

As for the immediate, what’s next for Teenear?

As I said before, my EP will be released in 2021, but I will be releasing music until then. During this time, I plan on releasing some more vibes and really just trying to connect with my supporters as much as I possibly can.

Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?

Stream my new single, “Come See Me,” on all platforms now! And I hope everyone stays safe, healthy, and positive during this time.