Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Teyana Taylor
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Teyana Taylor made an impact.
Teyana Taylor is a multi-talented American artist known for her work as a singer, songwriter, actress, model, dancer, choreographer, and music video director. She began her career choreographing Beyoncé's "Ring the Alarm" video and subsequently signed with Star Trak Entertainment. She gained early recognition through MTV's My Super Sweet 16 and her debut single "Google Me." Later, she garnered further attention for her uncredited appearances on Kanye West's "Dark Fantasy" and "Hell of a Life." Taylor eventually left Star Trak and Interscope to join West's GOOD Music label.
September 2006: Choreographer for Beyonce's "Ring the Alarm"
In September 2006, at the age of 15, Teyana Taylor was credited as the choreographer for the music video of Beyoncé's hit single, "Ring the Alarm".
2006: Choreographed Beyonce's "Ring the Alarm"
In 2006, Teyana Taylor choreographed the music video for Beyoncé's single "Ring the Alarm."
January 2007: Signed with Star Trak Entertainment
In January 2007, Teyana Taylor was offered a contract to join Pharrell Williams' Star Trak Entertainment label, through Interscope Records.
February 2007: Appearance on MTV's My Super Sweet Sixteen
In February 2007, Teyana Taylor first entered the public sphere through an episode on MTV's My Super Sweet Sixteen.
February 2008: Release of "Google Me" Single
In February 2008, Teyana Taylor released her commercial debut single, "Google Me", as the lead single from her mixtape From a Planet Called Harlem.
2008: Debut Single "Google Me" Release
In 2008, Teyana Taylor released her debut single, "Google Me". She also appeared on MTV's My Super Sweet 16 prior to the release.
August 16, 2009: Release of From a Planet Called Harlem Mixtape
On August 16, 2009, Teyana Taylor released her mixtape, From a Planet Called Harlem, featuring production from various artists.
August 2010: Appearance in Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming
In August 2010, Teyana Taylor expanded her career into acting, appearing in the sequel to Stomp the Yard, Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming.
October 2010: Appearance on House of Glam
In October 2010, Teyana Taylor appeared on the debut episode of House of Glam on Oxygen.
December 17, 2010: Release of "Christmas In Harlem"
On December 17, 2010, Teyana Taylor contributed to GOOD Music's GOOD Friday track, "Christmas In Harlem", which was released as a shortened version to the iTunes Store, featuring Cyhi the Prynce and Kanye West.
2010: Contribution to Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Album
In 2010, Teyana Taylor contributed vocals, scratches, and cuts to Kanye West's album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, notably on the tracks "Dark Fantasy" and "Hell of a Life".
2010: Guest Performances on Kanye West's Album
In 2010, Teyana Taylor gained attention for her uncredited guest performances on Kanye West's songs "Dark Fantasy" and "Hell of a Life" from his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
2010: Film Debut in Stomp the Yard: Homecoming
In 2010, Teyana Taylor made her film debut in the dance drama Stomp the Yard: Homecoming.
April 22, 2011: Release of Madea's Big Happy Family
On April 22, 2011, Teyana Taylor appeared in Tyler Perry's film Madea's Big Happy Family.
January 2012: Release from Interscope and Star Trak
In January 2012, Teyana Taylor was granted her release from the contract with Interscope and Star Trak, seeking independence in the music industry.
February 25, 2012: Release of "D.U.I."
On February 25, 2012, Teyana Taylor released "D.U.I." featuring Jadakiss & Fabolous, which was a release prior to her mixtape titled The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor.
June 14, 2012: Signed with GOOD Music
On June 14, 2012, Teyana Taylor signed a joint-venture deal with Kanye West's label GOOD Music through Island-Def Jam.
September 18, 2012: Release of Cruel Summer Compilation Album
On September 18, 2012, Teyana Taylor appeared on the GOOD Music compilation album Cruel Summer, providing vocals for multiple tracks.
2012: Appearance on Cruel Summer
In 2012, Teyana Taylor appeared on the GOOD Music compilation album Cruel Summer, which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.
2013: Sneaker Deal with Adidas
In 2013, Teyana Taylor signed a deal to design and release two pairs of sneakers with Adidas, including the Harlem GLC's.
July 27, 2014: Announcement of VII Album Title
On July 27, 2014, Teyana Taylor announced via Twitter that her debut studio album would be titled VII and released on November 4.
2014: Debut Studio Album VII Release
In 2014, Teyana Taylor's debut studio album, VII, was released. It received positive critical reception and peaked within the top 20.
July 29, 2015: Judge on America's Best Dance Crew
Teyana Taylor was set to be a judge on the eighth season of America's Best Dance Crew, with its series debut on July 29, 2015, on MTV.
June 17, 2016: Release of "Freak On" Single
On June 17, 2016, Teyana Taylor released her single "Freak On", featuring Chris Brown.
August 28, 2016: Appearance in Kanye West's "Fade" Music Video
On August 28, 2016, at the MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West debuted the music video for his single "Fade", which featured Teyana Taylor performing a solo dance routine.
March 2017: Launched "Fade 2 Fit" Workout Program
In March 2017, Teyana Taylor launched her "Fade 2 Fit" Workout Program and workout apparel line inspired by her appearance in Kanye West's "Fade" music video.
June 22, 2018: Release of K.T.S.E. Album
On June 22, 2018, Teyana Taylor's album K.T.S.E. was released as part of G.O.O.D. Music's seven-song album rollout.
2018: Featured and Directed Lil Durk's Home Body Remix Music Video
In 2018 Teyana Taylor featured and directed the music video for Lil Durk's remix of Home Body from his Signed to the Streets 3 album.
2018: Release of K.T.S.E.
In 2018, Teyana Taylor released her second studio album, K.T.S.E., which spawned the single "Gonna Love Me" and received platinum certification.
May 2019: Directed Lil Durk's "Home Body" Remix Music Video
In May 2019, Teyana Taylor featured in and directed the music video for Lil Durk's remix of "Home Body" from his 2018 album Signed to the Streets 3.
November 2019: Release of "Morning" Collaboration
In November 2019, Teyana Taylor released a collaboration single, "Morning", with Kehlani.
December 6, 2019: Release of "We Got Love" Single
On December 6, 2019, Teyana Taylor released the single "We Got Love".
May 7, 2020: Announcement of The Album
On May 7, 2020, Teyana Taylor announced that her third studio album is titled The Album and would be released in June 2020.
June 12, 2020: Confirmed Second Pregnancy in Music Video
On June 12, 2020, Teyana Taylor confirmed her second pregnancy in the music video for her single "Wake Up Love".
June 2020: Release of The Album
In June 2020, Teyana Taylor released her third studio album, The Album, featuring various guest appearances, debuting at number 8 on the Billboard 200.
December 4, 2020: Seemingly Announced Retirement
On December 4, 2020, Teyana Taylor seemingly announced her retirement from making music via her Instagram page due to frustration with her record label.
2020: Teyana and Iman Reality TV Series
From 2020 until 2023, Teyana Taylor and her then-husband Iman Shumpert starred in a reality television series, Teyana and Iman, on VH1.
2020: Release of The Album
In 2020, Teyana Taylor released her third studio album, The Album, which peaked within the chart's top ten.
2020: BET Award for Video Director of the Year
In 2020, Teyana Taylor, credited as Spike Tee, won the BET Award for Video Director of the Year.
2021: Appeared in Coming 2 America
In 2021, Teyana Taylor appeared in the Amazon Prime film Coming 2 America.
2022: Winner of The Masked Singer
In 2022, Teyana Taylor, competing as "Firefly" on Team Good in season seven of The Masked Singer, was declared the winner. At 31 years old, Taylor became the youngest winner in the show's history at the time.
2023: Starring Performance in A Thousand and One
In 2023, Teyana Taylor received critical acclaim for her starring performance in the film A Thousand and One, and won the Breakthrough Performance Award from the National Board of Review.
2023: Second BET Award for Video Director of the Year
In 2023, Teyana Taylor, known as "Spike Tee", won the BET Award for Video Director of the Year again.
March 2025: Featured on Will Smith's album Based on a True Story
In March 2025, Teyana Taylor was featured on Will Smith's album Based on a True Story.
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