History of Teyana Taylor in Timeline
Teyana Taylor is a multi-talented American artist involved in singing, songwriting, acting, modeling, dancing, choreography, and music video direction. Her career began with choreographing Beyoncé's "Ring the Alarm" video, leading to a record deal with Star Trak Entertainment. Despite her debut single not charting, she gained recognition for uncredited vocals on Kanye West's album, eventually joining his label GOOD Music.
1983: Flashdance Release
The year 1983 marked the release of the iconic dance film "Flashdance," which would later draw parallels to Taylor's performance in Kanye West's "Fade" music video.
December 10, 1990: Birth of Teyana Taylor
Teyana Me Shay Jacqueli Shumpert was born on December 10, 1990. This marks the birth of the future singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer.
September 2006: Choreographing Beyoncé'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." This marked her early entrance into the music industry.
2006: Choreographing Beyoncé's "Ring the Alarm"
In 2006, Teyana Taylor showcased her talent as a choreographer by working on the music video for Beyoncé's hit single "Ring the Alarm".
January 2007: Signing with Star Trak Entertainment
In January 2007, Teyana Taylor's talent was recognized by Pharrell Williams, leading to her signing a contract with Star Trak Entertainment, an imprint of Interscope Records.
February 2007: Appearance on "My Super Sweet Sixteen"
Teyana Taylor made her first major public appearance in February 2007 on MTV's "My Super Sweet Sixteen", a show documenting extravagant birthday parties. This appearance provided early exposure for the budding artist.
February 2008: Release of Debut Single "Google Me"
Teyana Taylor released her debut commercial single, "Google Me," in February 2008. The single served as the lead for her debut mixtape and marked her official entry into the music scene.
August 16, 2009: Release of Debut Mixtape "From a Planet Called Harlem"
On August 16, 2009, Teyana Taylor released her debut mixtape, "From a Planet Called Harlem," a project showcasing her musical style and lyrical prowess.
August 2010: Acting Debut in "Stomp the Yard: Homecoming"
In August 2010, Teyana Taylor made her acting debut in "Stomp the Yard: Homecoming," a sequel to the dance drama. This marked her first foray into the world of acting.
October 2010: Appearance on "House of Glam"
Teyana Taylor furthered her foray into television with an appearance on the debut episode of Oxygen's "House of Glam" in October 2010.
December 17, 2010: Release of "Christmas In Harlem"
On December 17, 2010, Teyana Taylor participated in GOOD Music's GOOD Friday series with the release of "Christmas In Harlem," a collaborative track that further showcased her musical abilities.
2010: Collaboration with Kanye West on "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy"
Teyana Taylor's talent led to a significant collaboration with Kanye West on his acclaimed album, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy," in 2010. She contributed vocals to tracks like "Dark Fantasy" and "Hell of a Life," showcasing her vocal abilities and creativity.
2010: Film Debut in "Stomp the Yard: Homecoming"
Teyana Taylor made her film debut in the dance drama "Stomp the Yard: Homecoming" in 2010, expanding her career into acting.
April 22, 2011: Acting in Tyler Perry's "Madea's Big Happy Family"
Teyana Taylor continued her acting pursuits with a role in Tyler Perry's film "Madea's Big Happy Family," released on April 22, 2011. The film, the fifth in Perry's Madea series, provided Taylor with more acting experience and exposure.
January 2012: Departure from Interscope and Star Trak
Teyana Taylor made a significant career decision in January 2012 by obtaining her release from her contracts with Interscope and Star Trak. This decision, made amicably, allowed her to pursue more creative freedom and independence in the music industry.
February 25, 2012: Release of "D.U.I." Featuring Jadakiss & Fabolous
As an independent artist, Teyana Taylor released "D.U.I." on February 25, 2012, a track featuring rappers Jadakiss and Fabolous. This release followed her departure from Interscope and Star Trak and marked a period of creative independence.
June 14, 2012: Teyana Taylor Signs to GOOD Music
On June 14, 2012, marking a pivotal step in her career, Teyana Taylor signed a joint-venture deal with Kanye West's label GOOD Music, under Island-Def Jam.
September 18, 2012: Cruel Summer Release
Contributing to her growing presence in the music industry, Taylor was featured on the GOOD Music compilation album "Cruel Summer," released on September 18, 2012. She showcased her vocal talents on several tracks, including notable collaborations with Kanye West, R. Kelly, and John Legend.
2012: Release of "Cruel Summer"
In 2012, Teyana Taylor was featured on the GOOD Music compilation album "Cruel Summer", marking another milestone in her career. The album performed well, reaching the number two spot on the Billboard 200 chart.
2013: Adidas Sneaker Deal
In 2013, Taylor ventured into the world of fashion, signing a deal with Adidas to design and release two pairs of sneakers. Her debut release, the Harlem GLC's, made waves in the industry, setting a record for the fastest-selling sneakers in Adidas Originals history.
July 27, 2014: VII Album Announcement
July 27, 2014, marked the day Taylor took to Twitter to announce her debut studio album, "VII," set to release later that year in November.
2014: Release of Debut Album "VII"
Teyana Taylor released her debut studio album, "VII", in 2014. The album was well-received by critics and achieved commercial success, peaking within the top 20 of the Billboard 200 chart.
July 29, 2015: America's Best Dance Crew Premiere
Expanding her horizons, Taylor joined the judging panel of the eighth season of "America's Best Dance Crew," with the series debut airing on July 29, 2015.
2015: Birth of First Child
Taylor and her husband, Iman Shumpert, welcomed their first child together in 2015. The delivery was particularly memorable as Shumpert assisted in the process due to Taylor going into early labor.
June 17, 2016: "Freak On" Release
On June 17, 2016, Taylor released the single "Freak On," a collaboration with Chris Brown, setting the stage for her forthcoming second studio album.
August 28, 2016: Kanye West's "Fade" Music Video Debut
August 28, 2016, saw Taylor captivating audiences in Kanye West's music video for "Fade." Her athleticism and captivating dance moves, set to a backdrop of minimal attire, drew widespread acclaim and comparisons to iconic dance sequences in cinematic history.
September 20, 2016: Marriage Speculation
On September 20, 2016, during an appearance on "The Wendy Williams Show," Taylor hinted at a possible secret marriage to Shumpert, sparking speculation among fans and media.
October 1, 2016: Wedding Ceremony
Taylor and Shumpert exchanged vows in a wedding ceremony on October 1, 2016, formalizing their union.
March 2017: "Fade 2 Fit" Workout Program Launch
March 2017 saw Taylor combining her passions for dance and fitness by launching "Fade 2 Fit," a ninety-day workout program. Inspired by her dynamic performance in Kanye West's "Fade" music video, the program incorporates dance routines and a corresponding workout apparel line.
2017: Role in TV series "Star"
From 2017 to 2018, Teyana Taylor had roles in two seasons of the Lee Daniels television series "Star," further solidifying her acting career.
2017: Best Choreography Award
Taylor’s captivating performance in Kanye West's "Fade" music video earned her the "Best Choreography" award at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2017, a testament to her dance prowess and artistry.
June 22, 2018: K.T.S.E. Album Release
Taylor's album "K.T.S.E.," an acronym for "keep that same energy," was released on June 22, 2018, marking the final installment in G.O.O.D. Music's seven-song album rollout. Despite plans for an updated version, the project was ultimately shelved.
2018: Release of "K.T.S.E."
Teyana Taylor released her second studio album, "K.T.S.E.", in 2018. The album, reaching the top 20 of the Billboard 200, featured the hit single "Gonna Love Me," a track that later received a platinum certification from the RIAA.
May 2019: Lil Durk Music Video Direction
Showcasing her versatility, Taylor directed and featured in the music video for Lil Durk's remix of "Home Body" in May 2019, further solidifying her presence in the music industry.
November 2019: "Morning" Collaboration with Kehlani
Showcasing her collaborative spirit, Taylor teamed up with R&B singer Kehlani to release the single "Morning" in November 2019.
December 6, 2019: "We Got Love" Release
Further solidifying her musical presence, Taylor released the single "We Got Love" on December 6, 2019.
May 7, 2020: The Album Announcement
On May 7, 2020, Taylor announced her third studio album, "The Album," teasing its release scheduled for the following month.
June 12, 2020: Second Pregnancy Announcement
Taylor announced her second pregnancy on June 12, 2020, through her music video for the single "Wake Up Love."
June 2020: The Album Release
June 2020 saw the release of "The Album," a 23-track project featuring collaborations with prominent artists such as Erykah Badu, Kehlani, Lauryn Hill, Future, Rick Ross, Quavo, and Missy Elliott. This marked Taylor's first top 10 album, debuting at number 8 on the Billboard 200.
December 4, 2020: Temporary Retirement Announcement
In a move that sent ripples through the music industry, Taylor seemingly announced her retirement from music on December 4, 2020, via her Instagram. She later clarified that her decision stemmed from frustration with her record label's lack of support, emphasizing the importance of her mental, emotional, and familial well-being. Despite expressing a desire to retire until released from her contract with Def Jam, Taylor assured fans that her departure from music wouldn't be permanent.
2020: Premiere of "Teyana and Iman"
In 2020, Teyana Taylor and her then-husband, Iman Shumpert, premiered their reality television series "Teyana and Iman" on VH1, providing viewers with a glimpse into their personal and professional lives. The series ran until 2023.
2020: First BET Award Win for Video Director of the Year
In 2020, Teyana Taylor, under the directorial pseudonym "Spike Tee," won the BET Award for Video Director of the Year, showcasing her talent behind the camera.
2020: Release of "The Album"
In 2020, Teyana Taylor released her third studio album, "The Album." The album achieved significant success, peaking in the top ten of the Billboard 200 chart.
2021: Appearance in "Coming 2 America"
Teyana Taylor appeared in the Amazon Prime film "Coming 2 America" in 2021, showcasing her acting skills in a popular comedy.
2022: The Masked Singer Victory
In 2022, Taylor added a unique accolade to her career, competing and winning the seventh season of "The Masked Singer" as "Firefly." Her victory made her the youngest winner in the show's history at 31 years old.
September 17, 2023: Separation Announcement
Taylor and Shumpert announced their separation on September 17, 2023, marking a significant shift in their personal lives. Taylor later clarified that the couple had been separated for months prior to the public announcement.
2023: Critically Acclaimed Performance in "A Thousand and One"
Teyana Taylor received significant critical acclaim, including Oscar buzz, for her performance in the 2023 film "A Thousand and One," marking a high point in her acting career.
2023: Second BET Award Win for Video Director of the Year
Teyana Taylor won the BET Award for Video Director of the Year again in 2023, solidifying her reputation as a talented music video director.