After being released from Pharrell Williams’s Star Trak label in the beginning of the year, Teyana Taylor is officially G.O.O.D. In the spring, she signed a deal with Kanye West’s label. In April, she released her first EP, entitled The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor. The disc received mixed reviews from music critics. She is now gearing up for the release of G.O.O.D. Music’s Cruel Summer compilation album which arrives September 4. On August 6, Teyana will hit the studio to start working on her debut solo album. In an interview with Complex, Teyana talked about meeting Kanye West for the first time, being the only female signed to G.O.O.D. Music, Cruel Summer, being released from Star Trak, fashion and much more. Below are some excerpts:
How did you first meet Kanye West?
At his Glow in the Dark tour with him, N.E.R.D. and Rihanna. At the time I was signed to Pharrell Williams and his Star Trak label. Kanye used to always like my outfits. So from jump we became fashion friends and we’d talk about different clothes and designing different things. We’d email each other different garments that we liked. That’s how we became friends and super close.
What’s it like to be the only G.O.O.D. girl?
It feels great, knowing that I’m the first and only girl. It just makes me think about everybody who doubted. To have the opportunity to be a part of something so iconic is amazing.
What are you doing on the Cruel Summer album?
I rapped on certain songs. I sing on certain songs. But like everyone else in the group, I really don’t know what’s making the album. But it’s definitely going to be some hot shit. Different shit. Not that shit that everybody expects.
You dropped your mixtape in the spring. Can we expect more of the hip-hop soul type of sound from you?
My mixtape, The Misunderstanding Of Teyana Taylor, gives people a very ‘90s vibe. I’m pretty consistent with my music. Kanye loves that. He’s always like, “Every time she gets on a track, she’s on some Mary shit.” I just appreciate the way R&B used to be. I’m trapped in it. I’m staying consistent with it.
Source: Complex
Picture: Fabien Montique
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