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Description
Stage Name: Tempo
Real Name: Laila Tate (biological surname is unknown)
Instrument: Drums are her instrument of choice - she is also classically trained in piano, violin, and is an acclaimed vocalist and songwriter.

Laila was left on the steps of a New York orphanage less than a month after her birth. Attached to the swaddled baby was a scrap of paper pinned with a bent safety pin that read: "Please give my little girl the life I can't. Her name is Laila."

Laila was one of the most beautiful babies that had ever been left at the orphanage, and was adopted within a week of her arrival. Laila was taken in by a very well off couple, William and Elizabeth Tate. William is a very successful lawyer with an equally successful finance career in his background. Elizabeth Tate is headmistress of a very prestigious New York performing arts academy. She currently is on sabbatical due to medical complications due to the Tate's inability to conceive. The Tates were unable to have a child of their own and Mr. Tate convinced his wife that if they weren't able to bring a child into the world, that they would take in one and show it all the love they would if it were biologically theirs.

During her childhood, Laila was brought up in a family full of love and was taught respect, and the value of a dollar. She attended only the most elite of elite schools and was never forced into any activities she didn't like. Much to Mrs. Tate's delight, Laila took an instant liking to music and art. She could be found singing and making up songs all over the Tate's sprawling estate. She also began to plink the keys of her mother's grand piano and soon the Mrs. showed her how to read and write music. By the age of 12, she had entered and won any and every talent show her school held, and by her senior year of high school, at the age of 16, she had become well known for her creativity and pleasant and charming demeanor. She had dreams of meeting and playing with one of her favorite music groups - Jem and the Holograms. Since Laila's adoption, Mr. and Mrs. Tate had taking a liking to Jerrica Benton, and respected her work for the Starlight Foundation.

Laila decided to expand her skill set and enrolled in design school for fashion. She quickly took to the freedom of expression and loved working with her hands in such a creative manner. Upon her 18th birthday, she began to feel out of place and began to ask questions. She noticed there wasn't a resemblance to her parents and her suspicions rose. Mr. and Mrs. Tate sat with their daughter and told her she had been adopted, explained their situation, and told them that they couldn't love her any more if she were their biological daughter.

The truth of her being abandoned by her mother, no matter how noble the reason, devastated her. She dropped out of school, and became a complete brat. She was never disrespectful to her parents or closest friends, which was proof that she was simply acting out, but never to the point of vandalism or any actual criminal act - she had enough sense for that. She had almost reverted to a childhood state and was known to throw tantrums when she was challenged in even the smallest way.

One thing that stayed the same with Laila was her creativity - she would still be found painting, playing music, or making new outfits. Notably, her music became frantic and angry, along with her art, and she adopted (for lack of a better word) a punk look. She still loved performing, and would play at open mic nights, and much like her school days, she would take top prize. Her style and sound appealed to one Ms. Phyllis Gabor, who approached her after again winning first prize at an event in a night club. Once introduced to the rest of the Misfits, she took an instant liking to Stormer, respecting her for her musical talent. She also holds Pizzazz in high regard since she doesn't take anyone's guff. She normally butts heads with Roxy and Jetta, but when the mood strikes her right she goes along with their schemes. Clash has a STRONG dislike of Laila - and resents her for "taking her spot". Seeing that the Misfits needed a drummer, she took on the name Tempo, and the rest, as they say, is history.

This piece, in addition to being a contest entry, is another part in a series of illustrations that were done as an addition to the official artwork Hasbro Inc. used for their Jem toyline back in the late 80s. These pieces are manipulated box artworks to keep the same style and match all the official illustrations.

If Hasbro would have officially produced Tempo as part of their toyline, this is my interpretation of what the box art should have looked like.

Description
Stage Name: Tempo
Real Name: Laila Tate (biological surname is unknown)
Instrument: Drums are her instrument of choice - she is also classically trained in piano, violin, and is an acclaimed vocalist and songwriter.

Laila was left on the steps of a New York orphanage less than a month after her birth. Attached to the swaddled baby was a scrap of paper pinned with a bent safety pin that read: "Please give my little girl the life I can't. Her name is Laila."

Laila was one of the most beautiful babies that had ever been left at the orphanage, and was adopted within a week of her arrival. Laila was taken in by a very well off couple, William and Elizabeth Tate. William is a very successful lawyer with an equally successful finance career in his background. Elizabeth Tate is headmistress of a very prestigious New York performing arts academy. She currently is on sabbatical due to medical complications due to the Tate's inability to conceive. The Tates were unable to have a child of their own and Mr. Tate convinced his wife that if they weren't able to bring a child into the world, that they would take in one and show it all the love they would if it were biologically theirs.

During her childhood, Laila was brought up in a family full of love and was taught respect, and the value of a dollar. She attended only the most elite of elite schools and was never forced into any activities she didn't like. Much to Mrs. Tate's delight, Laila took an instant liking to music and art. She could be found singing and making up songs all over the Tate's sprawling estate. She also began to plink the keys of her mother's grand piano and soon the Mrs. showed her how to read and write music. By the age of 12, she had entered and won any and every talent show her school held, and by her senior year of high school, at the age of 16, she had become well known for her creativity and pleasant and charming demeanor. She had dreams of meeting and playing with one of her favorite music groups - Jem and the Holograms. Since Laila's adoption, Mr. and Mrs. Tate had taking a liking to Jerrica Benton, and respected her work for the Starlight Foundation.

Laila decided to expand her skill set and enrolled in design school for fashion. She quickly took to the freedom of expression and loved working with her hands in such a creative manner. Upon her 18th birthday, she began to feel out of place and began to ask questions. She noticed there wasn't a resemblance to her parents and her suspicions rose. Mr. and Mrs. Tate sat with their daughter and told her she had been adopted, explained their situation, and told them that they couldn't love her any more if she were their biological daughter.

The truth of her being abandoned by her mother, no matter how noble the reason, devastated her. She dropped out of school, and became a complete brat. She was never disrespectful to her parents or closest friends, which was proof that she was simply acting out, but never to the point of vandalism or any actual criminal act - she had enough sense for that. She had almost reverted to a childhood state and was known to throw tantrums when she was challenged in even the smallest way.

One thing that stayed the same with Laila was her creativity - she would still be found painting, playing music, or making new outfits. Notably, her music became frantic and angry, along with her art, and she adopted (for lack of a better word) a punk look. She still loved performing, and would play at open mic nights, and much like her school days, she would take top prize. Her style and sound appealed to one Ms. Phyllis Gabor, who approached her after again winning first prize at an event in a night club. Once introduced to the rest of the Misfits, she took an instant liking to Stormer, respecting her for her musical talent. She also holds Pizzazz in high regard since she doesn't take anyone's guff. She normally butts heads with Roxy and Jetta, but when the mood strikes her right she goes along with their schemes. Clash has a STRONG dislike of Laila - and resents her for "taking her spot". Seeing that the Misfits needed a drummer, she took on the name Tempo, and the rest, as they say, is history.

This piece, in addition to being a contest entry, is another part in a series of illustrations that were done as an addition to the official artwork Hasbro Inc. used for their Jem toyline back in the late 80s. These pieces are manipulated box artworks to keep the same style and match all the official illustrations.

If Hasbro would have officially produced Tempo as part of their toyline, this is my interpretation of what the box art should have looked like.