Tiffany Evans is an old soul in more ways than one. Unlike most millennial artists, her success story is quite reminiscent of her R&B predecessors. After appearing (and winning) on Star Search at 10, Tiffany signed to Columbia Records, where she released singles “Let Me Be Your Angel,” “Promise Ring” and “I’ll Be There.”
However, after a six-year run, the Bronx-bred songstress parted ways from the label in 2010 and learned the business herself. “A lot of artists don’t know goes on behind their projects,” she explained. “I want to know what goes on behind what we do. There’s so many different hands in your projects: your A&R, road manager, product manager. Really, you’re not learning anything because they try to handle everything for you.”
At 22, Evans has solved that problem as the CEO and founder of her production company, Little Lady Enterprises, and new record label Live Love Entertainment. A joint collaboration with husband, Lorenzo Henderson (yep, her promise ring turned into wedding bells), Little Lady Ent. provides full production and development services for up-and-comers in need. As for her own catalog, Evans continues to release music independently like the 2013 fan appreciation EP 143 and most recently, “Baby Don’t Go.” Here, VIBE plays catch up with the child star-turned-working mother about her business and being a grown woman.—Asha Boston
VIBE: You’ve been laying the foundation for a solid career within the past few years. Can you tell us what you’ve been up to musically?
Tiffany Evans: I really wanted to take this time to learn the business myself. I didn’t t want to be just a part of the artist side. That was a perfect opportunity to step to the back and be an artist and learn to be a businesswoman at the same time. I wanted to know exactly what was being handled when it came down to my career. I started recording and working with Elijah Blake shortly after I parted ways with Columbia. We actually became writing partners and he taught me a lot about writing and coming up with concepts. All in all, I’ve been making sure that the next time you guys see me again officially, you know that this is Tiffany. These are the kinds of stories that I want to tell. It’s not even a game.
What about Little Lady Entertainment? Is that just for artist/brand development or do you work on your own projects as well?
When I parted ways with Columbia, that’s when I started Little Lady and it was an idea that me and my husband had. After we shot the video for “Won’t Find Me,” I really was interested in production. I was using it as a name for my imprint, something that I could attach myself to but it wasn’t necessarily a label. We wanted to gear towards artists who don’t really have teams in place to help them do what they need to do.
So essentially you help them develop and understand the business?
Yes. When independent artists come to Little Lady, it’s just great for us to teach them that. We’re not a label. We’re just going to show you how to get what you need done.
Do you ever get people who just want to “do it from the ‘gram”?
You know this! It is crazy because some people think, “Oh you can’t put me on?” No, I can’t put you on! You got to put yourself on. I believe in helping people out and helping someone is not always giving them money. It’s not always showing someone an executive and saying, “Oh yeah! I’m down for this person.” If I can help and show you how to maneuver [the business] then that’s what it is, but a lot of people are not up for the challenge.
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