Temmora
The Southern Diva

             By
   Anthony Colom

Temmora, how are u? I’m great How about u?
I’m great. Tell our  readers a little something   
about  yourself. Well, I started singing in church,  
at age 5. My religion was Baptist, at the time.
From    there, I went to talent shows, and cheer
leading. My mom and I use to  always watch the
Grammys when I was little. So... I always dreamed
of being a  singer. That was my goal, to be an
entertainer. What style of music do u  sing? I
would classify my music as mainstream. I wouldn’t
say it’s just r&b. I wouldn’t say it’s just pop or hip
hop. I’d just say it’s mainstream. It’s for the masses.
There’s a little bit for everybody. Aren’t u working
on an album right now? Yes, my album is slated
to be released to radio at the beginning of 2005. I’m
doing the pre-promotion now. The album is entitled,
Any Other Girl. We called the album Any Other Girl,
basically, because I feel that no matter where I go in
the world, I’m just any other girl. I’ve done the Radio
& Records Showcase, I’m getting ready to do the
hip hop Billboard Awards, and I’ve done several
festivals. I’m actually performing the new material
from the album. We’re getting people prepared for
the album. The album goes to mix shows in
December, radio in January, and retail in mid to late
February. What label are u with? Well, I’m with
LEG, but we’ve been in negotiations with Warner
Brothers and Thump / Universal. Have u found it
difficult  to get your name out here? U know,
being that you’re an independent, doing r&b
music? I wouldn’t say that it’s been hard. It’s been
a long road. In the r&b format, it takes them a little
longer before they’ll accept u. They tend to accept
u once you’re big. I’ve learned a lot from all the
people I’ve met across the country. Anything worth
having is worth working for. And if you’re not willing
to work, then this is not the business for u. U can’t
quit. That’s for sure. Where do u call home?
Memphis,Tennessee - born and raised.  At one
time, Memphis was a hotbed for r&b music
(because of Stax Records). Now  it’s a hotbed
for hip hop music. Do u  find it difficult
competing for recognition there, now that the
city’s rap scene has taken off? I don’t know. U
know, I’m a girl. I don’t really think it’s hard. Once
people see what you’re bringing to the table, and
that the surrounding states are accepting u  
with open arms, the whole state will soon welcome u
with open arms. It’s hard in any city or state. U
know, your state is usually the last one to accept u.
And I’ve accepted that. They’re accepting me now.
So I’m notmad. They’ve gotta know that you’re not
gonna quit. R&b won’t ever be wiped out. You’re
gonna always have your r&b listeners. Who are
some of the people that u worked with on your
album? I have a wedding song on the album. It’ll be
released to radio around May or June ( u know,
wedding season). It’ll be a duet with a well - known
r&b vocalist. I’m not at liberty to give his name at
this time. We’re also in negotiations with two
rappers (male & female). I can’t release their names
at this time, either. It’s not nailed down, yet. Did u
do any writing on the album? Most definitely!! I
collaborated on all eleven tracks. We also have a
bonus track. It’s in Spanish (cause I also sing in
Spanish). My producer and my manager (Levy)
write with me, as well. I write from true experiences.
Either I’ve been thru it, or someone I know has
been thru it. A lot of it comes from being out there
on the road....hardships. The writers and
producers, are there any names that would
stand out?  Any names that we would know? I
feel that some of these kats that people haven’t  
heard yet,  are just as good - if  not better,  than
some of the well known producers. I actually worked
with a producer from the Red Zone camp. He’s
worked with Blu Cantrell, Mia, & Pink. He liked my
sound and I liked his sound. So we said, let’s go
make a new sound together. He’s known within the
industry but not known commercially, yet. Hopefully,
with this album, he will be. Why is there a lack of  
hot female r&b artists, right now? And how  
would u separate yourself from the rest? I’m
not going into this blindfolded. I’ve done a lot of  
work. There hasn’t  been a true female stage
entertainer, since Janet Jackson. I sing, as well as,
dance. And I’m not lip  syncing. Beyonce stands out
right now, because  there’s no competition for her,
right now. So  she’s getting all the press. You’ve got
Alicia Keys, but she’s in a whole different style.
People like to knock Ashanti and  say she can’t
sing. I don’t know what  they’re talking about,  
cause I think the girl can sing. She has a beautiful
voice and she’s  very attractive. I’m ready to come
out and let em know that the South is still coming. I’
m not doing it for the money. I love the stage. We’
ve talked to Mr. Levy many times. What’s his
relationship to u? He’s my friend, manager,  co -
writer, and confidante. Levy : Hey Anthony. This is
Levy. I’d just like to say  that we’ve been working
really hard. This is an album that we people will
really love. When we did Temmora’s first album, we
were doing shows and In - stores, only to find out
that the distributor (Southwest Wholesale) wasn’t
supplying the stores with the product. They folded
on us and left us with no product. So we’ve come a
long way. So all of  u aspiring artists and labels,
always be about your business and know what’s
going on around u. U know, after performing at the
R&R Showcase, one of the people associated with
it, commented, that he had not seen someone with
Temmora’s talent perform there - since Alicia Keys.
That was a great compliment, and shows that she’s
well on her way to doing big things in this business.
Temmora: I feel God blessed me with something to  
say. He blessed me with a way to say it. I want
people to know there is good music out here. U
don’t have to curse. I have a motto. “U Don’t Have
To Be Revealing To Be Appealing.”

            www.temmora.com