Teyana Taylor’s 'VII' Hit The Mark For One Of Today’s Generation Of R&B’s Best Debut Albums
I was first introduced to Teyana Taylor the way that many also were with her episode of MTV's My Super Sweet 16. After originally knowing the Harlem native as a dancer and choreographer, my ears were blown away when I learned that she not only had pipes, but she could blow! After being in the public eye, Teyana Taylor officially began her music career. From "Google Me" and The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor to being signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music, an R&B star was born with her debut album, VII.
The 14-track album was released in 2014 with her fan favorite "Maybe" being its lead single. The vision that Teyana had for the album was drawing from her inspirations such as Lauryn Hill, Brandy, Janet Jackson and Aaliyah to bring back that 90s R&B sound.
"Janet and Aaliyah are two of my biggest inspirations. Musically, Aaliyah gave you that young vibe that girls can relate to, and Janet gave you that grown-woman sexy. I wanted VII to be like, 'Oh yeah, my mom's buying me that album but she bought herself one too.' Like something a mother and daughter could rock out to," Teyana told The FADER after the album's release.
There was no one more perfect for the job to help her bring that vision to life than producer and songwriter Harmony Samuels. Along with producers like Boi-1da and The Order Music, there's no denying how seamless the production of the album is.
VII is a precisely sculpted R&B body of work where the lyrics explore Teyana's vulnerability and her passage into becoming a mature woman unafraid to put her sexuality on display with tracks like "Do Not Disturb" featuring Chris Brown. From the beginning with "Outta My League (Interlude)", Teyana holds her own among other R&B songstresses in the industry with her deep sultry tone and crystal clear vocals that leaves you wanting more.
Thankfully after four years, Teyana is blessing her fans with her sophomore album Keep The Same Energy.
Earlier this year, in an interview with Oyster, she revealed that the album was done and will be executive produced by Kanye West. "[The album is] just waiting on some minor tweaks and whatever last minute switches or edits and a green light from Kanye and should be good to go," she said.
Although G.O.O.D Music has a new seven-track format, Teyana suggests that her album will be that and then some. No doubt, it will be very exciting to hear what Teyana has to deliver and if there will be any features.
Keep The Same Energy will be released on June 22. Are you ready?
Featured image by Giphy
- Kanye West Reveals The Release Date For Pusha T & Teyana ... ›
- Teyana Taylor's Next Album Is Done & Executive Produced By ... ›
- VII (Teyana Taylor album) - Wikipedia ›
- Teyana Taylor says her album's finished and executive produced by ... ›
- Rihanna & Teyana Taylor Pose For Coachella Photo, Put Past Beef ... ›
- Teyana Taylor's Sophomore Album is Coming in June ›
- Finally... The New Teyana Taylor Album Is Complete ›
- Kanye West announces new albums from Pusha T and Teyana Taylor ›
- Teyana Taylor Confirms Sophomore Album Is 'Done' & Executive ... ›
- Teyana Taylor Readies Sophomore Album, Executive Produced By ... ›
Ngozi Nwanji is from Silver Spring, MD and is currently a senior majoring in journalism at Temple University. Her passions include writing, Issa Rae, and music, especially 90s R&B.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Chilli Dishes On Her Drama-Free Dynamic With Matthew Lawrence And No Longer Fearing Marriage
Chilli may be preparing to walk down the aisle soon. The TLC singer has been dating actor Matthew Lawrence since 2022, and the two seem to be going strong. Chilli dished on her relationship with the Boy Meets World star during her visit to Fox 5’s talk show Portia. “This is the first time that we have both experienced being in a relationship to where, I mean—there's no drama at all. We get along, and we have differences but we, still to this day, we've never had an argument,” she said of their drama-free dynamic. “I don't even understand why we would have to have an argument in the first place.”
The “Waterfalls” singer also revealed that since dating her beau, she no longer has a fear of marriage. “I do not. I don't have any fear at all when it comes to him,” she said. “It is just the way he is as a man, you know? He is a good guy. He has an amazing heart, and I mean, he checks off all of my list except for a few I don't know yet—’til we get married.”
Chilli and Matthew's relationship may be taking another significant step in the future. In a 2023 interview with ET, Matthew shared their potential plans for children. "That's the game plan. That's what we're trying to do," he disclosed. This news is particularly exciting as Chilli already has a son named Tron with music producer Dallas Austin, and the prospect of expanding her family adds a new dimension to her relationship with Matthew.
While Chilli is known as a legend in music, her dating life often takes center stage. But that’s what happens when you’re linked to some powerful men. Here’s a look back at Chilli’s dating history.
Dallas Austin
The “No Scrubs” singer dated the super producer throughout the ‘90s, and he produced many songs for her group, such as “Creep” and “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg.” The two welcomed their son in 1997 and shortly parted afterward. Their relationship was documented in the VH1 TLC documentary Crazy, Sexy, Cool.
Usher
Usher and Chilli
Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Usher and Chilli are probably each other’s most famous relationship. The former couple, which is still talked about to this day, were together from 2001-2004. They were still in touch over the years, but the “Unpretty” artist said she finally stopped all contact 15 years later.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Chilli and Floyd Mayweather Jr. sparked dating rumors after he appeared on her VH1 reality TV show What Chilli Wants in 2010. While the two looked really chummy on the show, the “Diggin On You” singer denied that they were ever romantically involved.
Nick Cannon
In 2016, Chilli and Nick Cannon were rumored to be dating. The Masked Singer host gushed about the mother of one in an interview with E! News. "She's amazing," he said about Chilli. "She's an outstanding person, but you gotta ask her what's going on." He later clarified that they were friends and he’d “be so lucky to be able to...be called dating someone like that."
Matthew Lawrence
Chilli and Matthew Lawrence have been together since 2022, and they sometimes give us glimpses into their relationship on social media. We can’t wait to see what the beautiful couple has in store for the future.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by John Parra/Getty Images for Sandals Resorts