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Posted 2/28/08 4:56 pm ET by Tamar Anitai in Celebrity, Interviews, Videos

She's got Pharrell on speed dial, she choreographed Beyonce's "Ring the Alarm" video, laid down a few of her own moves in Jay-Z's "Blue Magic" video and has serious views on Obama, even though she's not even old enough to vote.
While Teyana Taylor's mainly known for her stint on a particularly infamous episode of My Super Sweet 16 -- recall the girl who entered her skate-themed shindig done up like a lifesized Barbie in rainbow brights -- the Harlem-bred dancer-rapper is about to drop her debut album, From A Planet Called Harlem, and, in pop culture parlance, become to Google what Lil Mama is to lip gloss.
Backstage at MTV Studios, before her TRL appearance, Teyana Taylor took a break from practicing high kicks to talk to Buzzworthy.
Buzzworthy: Tell us how you went from appearing on My Super Sweet 16 to being back here in the MTV building with your own video.
Teyana Taylor: It's pretty amazing, man. I've come a long way, and I worked hard. I was really grinding. I was on Sweet 16, but I'm really working hard and not trying to ride off the success of Sweet 16. Before I was on the show I was already signed, so I was already working pretty hard. But I didn't get on Sweet 16 for extra press -- it was something I always wanted to happen since I was younger since, when the show first aired. I'd always been a Sweet 16 fan.
BW: How'd you get signed to Star Trak?
TT: Before the show and before I got signed, I was just out dancin', working hard. I was in a meeting with the VP of A&R at Universal -- Kevin Law. I sung to him, and I rapped to him, and he was like "if you had to work with five people, who would it be?" And the first three names was Pharrell, Pharrell, Pharrell. I was already honored that people was comparing me to him. So it was pretty cool. He set me up a meeting with him like a couple days later, and I sung and I rapped for him.
BW: What's it been like working with Pharrell?
TT: It's wonderful. It's incredible. That's like my big brother. He's such a great person to work with.
BW: What about working with Omarion?
TT: Working with Omarion is pretty amazing. That's like my brother. He's really cool. He helps me a lot, like especially if it's something I really need to know, like he's there.
BW: Like a mentor?
TT: Yeah.
BW: Your new single's called "Google Me." How often do you Google yourself?
TT: When I do appearances and stuff and I just wanna see the new pictures, I Google myself.
BW: And put them on MySpace?
TT: Put 'em on MySpace! I'm a MySpace person. I really check my MySpace page. Myspace.com/rockstarteyana! MySpace me. Hit me up in the comments, you know? I'm here. I definitely reply back.
BW: So, in the MySpace versus Facebook battle, you're not a Facebook fan?
TT: I'm not really a Facebook fan because I don't know how to use it! It's so complicated! You gotta accept your friends one by one! It's just like too much going on. I tried it though. I swear, I tried it! I'm all about MySpace.
BW: Do you still find time to skate?
TT: Yes, I do, but I try not to do as much tricks as before I got signed because you know -- I'm an artist now and I wouldn't wanna disappoint the friends that's excited for me comin' out. I try to calm down. Just be coastin'!
BW: So "Teyana for President?" If you were president, what would your main issue be?
TT: I would definitely stop war. Like I don't feel like it's necessary. I feel like we're drafting a whole bunch of innocent people into war when you can be drafting criminals. Stuff like that. If I was president, I would definitely stop war, put more money toward health insurance and my community. Especially, last but not least, the most important one -- education. I just think education comes before anything because in order for you to know about everything, you have to go to school, and you have to learn.
BW: You're 17 now. Are you gonna be old enough to vote in the election?
TT: No! I'm literally kinda mad! I'm like four weeks short! That sucks!
BW: Who would you vote for?
TT: Obama.
BW: Just because it sounds like you have a little Hillary in you with the health care stuff! And you're from New York.
TT: Yeah. As far as Hillary goes, I love it! She's the first woman! If she did become president, I think that's really great, you know, the fact that she can stand up and say "I wanna run for president." A lot of people don't have the heart to do that. Obama, he's just trying to make a change. It's pretty cool. Either way, whoever wins, I'm happy for them. But if I had to choose, it'd be Obama.
BW: You're a pretty grown-up 17-year-old. Are you still living at home?
TT: Yes, I still live at home.
BW: How do you deal with adults making decisions for you?
TT: I have a right to voice my opinion, but you know -- when you can't really make choices, it really don't matter. I just kinda go with the flow. I'll be 18 in 11 months.
BW: How are you gonna celebrate?
TT: I was thinking about having a little party, but it's a surprise for now.
Check out photos of Teyana -- with Omarion, Raz B and Jazze Pha -- on the set of her upcoming video, "Google Me."
Consummate MTV music fans obsessively covering pop music, pop videos, pop stars, and pop culture from MTV headquarters in New York. Plus, trends, LOLs and stuff we love.
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Posted 2/13/12
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