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 multifaceted American artist excelling as a singer, songwriter, actress, model, dancer, choreographer, and music video director. She gained initial recognition for choreographing Beyonce's "Ring the Alarm" video. Subsequently, she signed with Star Trak Entertainment and released her debut single, "Google Me". Taylor garnered further attention through uncredited contributions to Kanye West's "Dark Fantasy" and "Hell of a Life". She later joined West's GOOD Music label, solidifying her presence in the music industry.
September 2006: Choreographed "Ring the Alarm" music video
In September 2006, Teyana Taylor, at age 15, was credited as the choreographer for Beyoncé's music video "Ring the Alarm".
2006: Choreographed "Ring the Alarm"
In 2006, Teyana Taylor choreographed the video for Beyoncé's single "Ring the Alarm", marking an early milestone in her career.
January 2007: Offered Star Trak Entertainment Contract
In January 2007, Teyana Taylor was offered a recording contract with Pharrell Williams' Star Trak Entertainment label, through Interscope Records.
February 2008: Released Debut Single "Google Me"
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: Released Debut Single "Google Me"
In 2008, Teyana Taylor released her debut single, "Google Me", preceding her mixtape, From a Planet Called Harlem.
August 16, 2009: Released From a Planet Called Harlem Mixtape
On August 16, 2009, Teyana Taylor released her full-length debut mixtape, titled From a Planet Called Harlem, featuring production from various artists and was released for free download.
August 2010: Appeared 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: Appeared on House of Glam
In October 2010, Teyana Taylor appeared on the debut episode of House of Glam on Oxygen.
December 17, 2010: "Christmas In Harlem" Release
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 and featured Cyhi the Prynce and Kanye West.
2010: Contributed Vocals to Kanye West's Album
In 2010, Teyana Taylor contributed vocals to Kanye West's album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, specifically on the tracks "Dark Fantasy" and "Hell of a Life", adding her unique touch to the album.
2010: Featured on Kanye West's Songs
In 2010, Teyana Taylor gained further 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: Madea's Big Happy Family Film Release
On April 22, 2011, the Tyler Perry film Madea's Big Happy Family, in which Teyana Taylor had a role, was released.
January 2012: Granted Release from Interscope and Star Trak
In January 2012, Teyana Taylor was granted her release from the contract with Interscope and Star Trak, allowing her to pursue independence in the music industry.
February 25, 2012: Released "D.U.I."
On February 25, 2012, Teyana Taylor released "D.U.I.", featuring Jadakiss & Fabolous, preceding the release of her mixtape 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, marking a new phase in her career.
September 18, 2012: Appeared on Cruel Summer Compilation Album
On September 18, 2012, Teyana Taylor appeared on the GOOD Music compilation album Cruel Summer, contributing vocals to tracks like "To the World", "Sin City", and "Bliss".
2012: Appeared on Cruel Summer Compilation Album
In 2012, Teyana Taylor appeared on the GOOD Music compilation album Cruel Summer, which reached number two on the Billboard 200.
2013: Adidas Sneaker Deal
In 2013, Teyana Taylor signed a deal to design and release two pairs of sneakers with Adidas, with the Harlem GLC's being the fastest-selling sneakers in Adidas Originals history.
July 27, 2014: Announced Debut Album VII
On July 27, 2014, Teyana Taylor announced via Twitter that her debut studio album would be titled VII and released on November 4.
2014: Released Debut Album VII
In 2014, Teyana Taylor's debut studio album, VII, was released and met with positive reception, peaking in the top 20 charts.
July 29, 2015: Judge on America's Best Dance Crew
On July 29, 2015, Teyana Taylor was set to be a judge on the eighth season of America's Best Dance Crew on MTV.
June 17, 2016: Released "Freak On"
On June 17, 2016, Teyana Taylor released her single "Freak On", featuring Chris Brown.
August 28, 2016: Featured in Kanye West's "Fade" Music Video
On August 28, 2016, at the MTV Video Music Awards, Teyana Taylor was featured in Kanye West's "Fade" music video, performing a rigorous solo dance routine, receiving considerable praise.
March 2017: Launched "Fade 2 Fit" Workout Program
In March 2017, Teyana Taylor launched her "Fade 2 Fit" Workout Program, a ninety-day dance and fitness routine inspired by her appearance in Kanye West's "Fade" music video. She also released a line of workout apparel called Fade2Fit.
2017: Role in Star TV Series
From 2017 to 2018, Teyana Taylor had roles in two seasons of the television series Star.
2017: Won "Best Choreography" Award for "Fade"
In 2017, Teyana Taylor's dancing in the music video "Fade" earned her the "Best Choreography" award at the MTV Video Music Awards.
June 22, 2018: Released 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 album rollout.
2018: Released K.T.S.E. Album
In 2018, Teyana Taylor released her second studio album, K.T.S.E., which spawned the platinum-certified single "Gonna Love Me" (remix).
May 2019: Directed Lil Durk's "Home Body" Remix Video
In May 2019, Teyana Taylor directed the music video for Lil Durk's remix of "Home Body" in his album Signed to the Streets 3.
November 2019: Released "Morning" collaboration single
In November 2019, Teyana Taylor released a collaboration single, "Morning", with Kehlani.
December 6, 2019: Released "We Got Love"
On December 6, 2019, Teyana Taylor released the single "We Got Love".
May 7, 2020: Announced The Album
On May 7, 2020, Teyana Taylor announced that her third studio album is titled The Album and would be released sometime in June 2020.
June 2020: Released The Album
In June 2020, Teyana Taylor released her third album, The Album, featuring collaborations with Erykah Badu, Kehlani, Lauryn Hill, Future, Rick Ross, Quavo, and Missy Elliott. It reached 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, citing frustration with her record label's lack of support.
2020: Teyana and Iman Reality TV Series
From 2020 to 2023, Teyana Taylor and her then-husband Iman Shumpert had a reality television series, Teyana and Iman, on VH1.
2020: Released The Album
In 2020, Teyana Taylor released her third studio album, The Album, which peaked within the top ten of the charts.
2020: Won BET Award for Video Director of the Year
In 2020, Teyana Taylor 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.
2023: Starring Role in A Thousand and One
In 2023, Teyana Taylor received critical acclaim for her starring performance in the film A Thousand and One, and she won the Breakthrough Performance Award from the National Board of Review.
2023: Won BET Award for Video Director of the Year
In 2023, Teyana Taylor won the BET Award for Video Director of the Year.
March 2025: Appearance on Will Smith's Album
In March 2025, Will Smith announced his album Based on a True Story, which will feature Teyana Taylor.
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