Artist Taphy Spencer Autobiography “I’ve been singing since I was about six years old,” Philadelphia’s Taphy Spencer explains. You might say she was first discovered by the keen ear of a children's choir director. “I was belting out, so she gave me a lead song,” Spencer recalls. And she’s been “belting out” heartfelt R&B songs ever since. On that fateful day, this pre-teen vocalist treated her church congregation to “Never Turn Back No More.” “It was so natural,” she says now. “I was not nervous at all.” Spencer, one of six siblings, was almost certainly destined for greatness. After all, she was given a Biblical name associated with the wisest man who ever lived. “My birth name is Taphath, which is a Biblical name. Taphath was King Solomon’s daughter. The name Taphath means ‘a droplet.’ My middle name, Ann, means ‘full of grace.’ Taphath Ann means, ‘A droplet full of grace,’ and Taphy’s short for Taphath.” This rising star has been known to grace her audiences with memorable ballads, including standards, like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and more contemporary fare, such as Stevie Wonder’s “Ribbon in the Sky,” her signature song. “I love ballads because I think they’re heartfelt,” she says. “They give any artist the opportunity to showcase their vocals.” She’s been compared to Vivian Green, but her style also includes traces of Kesha Cole, Mary J. Blige, and Brandy. Spencer, a true singer’s singer, sees little distinction between Old School and New School R& B. “What appeals to me is quality vocal music,” she states categorically. “If it’s quality then I love it.” Spencer has completed her debut CD, Dreamer. With it, she has mined emotional ground familiar to all of us. “There is a lot of storytelling,” she explains, “that tells stories about things most people have encountered or dealt with in their lifetime.” Spencer writes all her own songs with her prolific brother, Ezra and childhood friend, Aadil, received production assistance from Bub Da Producer, Stephen Marquis Ellis, Reuben and Corey Owens, Eugene Roberts, drummer Brian Frasier Moore (and others) on this stellar new release. Ever since Spencer was but a wee droplet of grace, she’s been singing powerfully meaningful songs. And while she’s thankful for that childhood kids’ choir director that first recognized her talent, she owes an even greater debt of gratitude to her mother, who has been behind her all the way. “My mother was my number one fan, and helped prepare me for audiences by encouraging me and having me sit at the foot of her bed and sing until I got comfortable,” Spencer fondly recalls. “She always told me that I could do anything I put my mind to.” With the priceless encouragement only a mother’s love can bring, and natural talent, it’s no surprise Taphy Spencer will “Never Turn Back No More.”