Teedra Moses

AN [INSTANT] CLASSIC

By Melissa Kimble

Teedra Moses is grown. Not I-just-turned-eighteen-off-on-my-own-for-the first-time-so-I-can-wear-whatever-I-want-grown. She is I –brought- two- kids- into- this- world- how- am- I going- to – feed- them- kind of grown.” My mama is gone and I’m trying to keep it together. I only put up with your no good behind because of your backstroke. I just wanna be happy, sipping, puffing, passing and relaxing with my family. I don't give a damn what's real or what's fake, what's truth or what's lies,” expresses the singer. This sultry songstress is bringing that type of “growness” back to the people. It is that raw sense of maturity that she brings to her music that keeps her fans coming back for more.

You may or not be a member of her extremely loyal fan base. But truth be told, there’s no reason as to why she isn’t well known. Born and raised in New Orleans and then later to California, Teedra was exposed to music early through her mother who was once active on the Southern Church revival circuit. Her debut album Complex Simplicity marked the return of real R&B. In life a woman must take control or be destroyed. Teedra stands up for the women who are in control even in the middle of uncertainty and confusion. When being a video girl is more popular than actually directing the video yourself. Her songs drip with honesty, truth, and realness, even when she’s heartbroken. On her album in the song Rescue Me she proclaims: “This poor heart of mine/ still feels I can find/ a love to call my own/ I gave him good love/made him feel like a man/ now I need someone new love.” Another true gem on the album I Think Of You (Shirley's song) is dedicated to her late mother who she thinks of when times get rough. On songs such as You Better Tell Her (one version of the song features Pitbull and Lil’ Scrappy) and Caution she lets her audacious attitude come through. Moses proves that she is a force to be reckoned with, with lyrics like “If in fact you gave her a little change it doesn't matter /cause’ I know whose name’s on the account/ I get mine no matter what the price” Any fan of true Soul and R&B music should recognize this talent, because it is not that often you encounter an artist so genuine who makes music because it is in her and not just for the fame. “I feel like this is truly what God has called me to do,” Teedra says. “I was called to sing and write music that really touches people.” Her voice is sensual and commands respect, her songwriting skills come from the soul and are complex, yet simple. Her demeanor, her work, what she says and even what she does not say, all speak for itself. The talented Teedra Moses may not be as popular as some other R&B artist, but she refuses to compromise her position as a true artist for anyone or anything. Grown women don’t pine for attention. They command it without being trendy, submissive, or common.

Being fly is for the birds- Teedra Moses is brilliant in all of her grown- woman glory.