That might explain why R&B singer Teedra Moses is back this year to finish what she started with her 2004 breakout album, “Complex Simplicity.”
The New Orleans native, who is now signed to Rick Ross’s Maybach Music Group, recently released “Luxurious Mixtape,” a collection of powerful songs that showcases her growth, versatility and continued transparency.
But that was just a preview. Early next year, Teedra plans to release her aptly titled sophomore effort, “The Lioness.” The wait is finally over.
ESSENCE.COM: It’s been almost seven years since your first album. Where have you been? We’ve missed you.
TEEDRA MOSES: Well, my label went bankrupt. So in between the time I was working on an album and their bankruptcy, I put out mixtapes. I was also on the road doing tours and writing for other artists.
ESSENCE.COM: What artists have you written for?
TEEDRA: Mary J. Blige, Raphael Saddiq, Macy Gray, Christina Milian, Kelly Rowland. Quite a few people. For about five years straight I did the writing thing. I love writing, but I like writing for myself better. [Laughs] I’m an artist first. I’m an honest person and when you write for other people sometimes things get stripped down. It’s not as organic.
ESSENCE.COM: How did you land a deal with Rick Ross and Maybach Music?
TEEDRA: Funny, he hit me up on Twitter. And I don’t usually check my Twitter regularly. He told me he liked my music and asked if I had a record deal. We linked up here in Miami a few weeks after. He was cool. His people were cool. They all had this ‘down to earth, hustle and work hard’ mentality. They weren’t into all the hoopla and neither am I. So I felt like I fit well.
ESSENCE.COM: What do you hope fans will take away from your new album?
TEEDRA: I hope my fans who have followed me will say, ‘Wow, she stayed true to herself and still took it to another level. She didn’t try to change her path to get to where she wanted to get. She stayed focused on who she was and how she wanted to share herself.’
ESSENCE.COM: What can we expect? Does it sound like the first album?
TEEDRA: I’ve grown and matured a lot since then. I’m still me but I have to push myself. I’ve been exposed to a lot since the last album so it’s kind of like growing up with someone and then reconnecting. ‘Oh, she’s still the same but she’s more mature now, more life experiences.’ The album is a timeless classic but still current.
Click here to download Teedra’s “Luxurious Undergrind.”