Judging from the success of her hit single, “Country Boy,” she’s off to a good start. A self-professed tomboy, Tyra found her calling in music when she was 9 years old. “I never had any formal singing lessons or training,” she says. “Growing up, I wanted to be a basketball player.” But in 1995, she joined the girl group Kraz’e, along with her older sister LaToya and friend Denae Parham. The trio built a strong local fan base before parting ways six years later, when LaToya and Denae headed off to college. So Tyra set out on her own quest for stardom. Her childhood friend Trey Songz thinks she’s more than ready. “Tyra’s been doing music since before I can remember,” says Songz. “Everybody in Petersburg knew who she was.”
After the heartbreak of a short-lived independent deal, Tyra hit the studio in early 2004 to record “Country Boy,” an infectious ode to Southern Gs everywhere. Produced by Virginia native Danja Mowf, the song got airplay from New York to St. Louis last fall, and then Universal Records signed Tyra in February.
Along with Chingy and Trillville, who appear on the single’s remix, the supporting cast for Tyra’s album is A-list, with beats by Cool & Dre, Scott Storch, and Timbaland. Chockful of tender mid-tempo grooves and vibrant radio-ready cuts, Introducing Tyra should carve a niche for this down-home girl. You can already count Trillville member Lawrence “Lil LA” Edwards as a fan. “I’m a real country boy, so the song caught my ear the first time I heard it,” he says. “She’s too original to ever be a one-hit wonder.”
Readying herself for a long night of recording, Tyra can’t hide her excitement about what’s to come. “Ever since I hit the stage, it has been my first love and passion,” she gushes. “Now I just want to make something people can remember.” Hey, why not? It’s happened here before.
home