Live: A Pop Diva for the Google Generation

WHO: Teyana Taylor
WHERE: Marquee, New York City
WHY: On this year's American Idol there's a lot of talk about the impressive young contestants — current favorite David Archuleta is only 17 years old. Harlem native Teyana Taylor is also just 17 ... and her talents outstrip those of any Idol hopeful by a startlingly wide margin. She sings, raps and dances like some kind of 21st century all-in-one pop ideal. But she's not another run-of-the-mill puppet. If anything, the one-time star of MTV's Super Sweet 16 is a no-nonsense boss who knows what she wants and wants it now.

Signed under Pharrell's Star Trak imprint, the budding star showcased her talents for a club full of industry types last week and — if the resounding cheers were any indication — impressed the severely jaded audience. Backed by a crew of dancer friends, the brief but effective performance felt like a high school talent show routine on steroids — the moves were video-worthy and the beats were radio-ready. Tellingly, she put the most heart into her first single, "Google Me," which is all about how people can, um, look her up on the internet. "Baby you can Google me," she wailed, clutching her headset mic. It's a perfectly me-first song for the me-first generation — a strident proclamation of self that's as unapologetic as it is catchy. Click thumbnails to see photos from the show:

Teyana Taylor: "Google Me"