Homegirl Rewinds: My Interview With Teyana Taylor

And just when I thought I couldn't find anymore articles, the persistancy won again. I guess that's why journalism was my calling. Because best believe I am going to find what I've been looking for. Back in 2014, I had the pleasure of interviewing the Rose in Harlem herself, Teyana Taylor. During the time of this interview, she had just released her first studio album, VII through G.O.O.D Music, was in production for tv sitcom The Start Up alongside Diggy Simmons, and had released her clothing line "Unbothered." Unfortunately, I couldn't find the layout for her feature in RnB Magazine. Remember the website has been deleted including every article I've written for them, so I have been tirelessly looking through hundreds of emails for these interviews. Please bare with me. Haha! Get it? However, I did find the cover. If you've been sticking with me for this week or so then you've definitely seen this cover.

The Harlem Songstress: Teyana Taylor

We first seen her blinged out 16th birthday party on MTV’s “My Super Sweet 16” and not even a year later, she debuted her music video to “Google Me” after being signed to Pharrell’s Star Trek Entertainment through Interscope records. Now after 2 mixtapes, numerous guest appearances, and 3 movies, the songstress has debuted her first studio album titled VII. The 23 year old is now signed with G.O.O.D music and has working on a pleather of business ventures. RNB Magazine had the pleasure to sit down with the multi-talent to discuss her journey to stardom.

After watching her on “My Super Sweet 16,” the world was able to her spunky yet sassy attitude.Her style was on point and her party was just as poppin’ as her hair, make-up, and decked out dress. At 16 years old, her star quality had already been born. The singer reveals that...

“I’ve always been singing and dancing since I was young. Me and my cousin did a girl group,

Sunshine Girls. At 13 or 14 years old I slowed down and wanted to be a kid. I was going down

the block and one of my mom’s friends pulled me aside and wanted me to meet his boss so I

went and I sung and that’s where things went from there.”

You ever heard of the saying “You were born a star?” Well this quote definitely correlates with the singer/actress. Everyone was able to see the determination she had to become something great. Why else would she star in own episode on MTV at 16?

For someone as talented and versatile as Teyana, you may wonder where she gets her inspiration from.

According to the songstress, her inspirations are “My mom. Musically, Teena Marie, Anita

Baker, Toni, the whole Bad Boy family, SWV. I’m a 90’s baby and even til this day I stay in

that.”

She definitely upholds to her 90’s baby persona and fans can witness her love for authentic

RNB in her own music. You can’t talk about Teyana Taylor and not mention her style. Every time we see her, whether it’s on Instagram, at a club, performing, or wherever, her swag is always on point. This past summer she released her clothing line titled “Unbothered” which is unisex and filled with the flyest streetwear.

When asked if she could describe her style in one word, she replied, “For fashion I would say 'unbothered.' It’s the name of my fashion line as well. As for music, I would describe it as 'home' because every record on the album definitely hits home. You can relate to it. You can feel it. Another word is “completion,” full body of work coming together.”

She is the definition of the complete entertainer and has wet her feet in every aspect in the

entertainment industry. You’ve seen her in Madea’s Big Happy Family, where she dubbed the catch phrase “Byroooooon” that lit up the twitter feeds for months. She’s also played in The Love Section and “Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming. She released her first pair of shoes

through Adidas called the “Harlem GLC’s.” She also released a hair line through My Extensionz named “Taylor’D Textues.” With the numerous business ventures she has pursued, her love for music hasn’t been outshined. She recently finished touring with August Alsina on his Testimony tour and completed “Teyana Tuesdays” where she released a music video every Tuesday for her music off her album VII.

VII features some of the biggest names in entertainment including her good friend Chris Brown, Fabolous, Pusha T, and Yo Gotti. The singer has already released 4 music videos for her songs “Maybe,” “Business,” “Do Not Disturb,” and “Broken Hearted Girl” on her debut album. Fans can witness the magic of her music come to life in these very sexy videos.

Wondering when you can catch Teyana back on the big screen? No worries. She is currently in production with BET for a new tv sitcom The Start Up alongside Diggy Simmons.