Review: Teyana Taylor's VII

We first heard from the young Harlemite in 2008 when she released her first single, “Google Me,” from her debut project, a mixtape titled From a Planet Called Harlem. The Jazze Pha-produced single sank low on the Billboard charts and leftTeyana Taylor with something to prove. Before her musical debut, Taylor was featured on MTV’s “My Super Sweet 16,” showcasing her over-the-top birthday bash, which was the start of people pegging the teenager as just another socialite without any real talent.

Back then, the singer, rapper and dancer was signed to Pharrell’s imprint, Star Trak Entertainment, through Interscope Records but seemed to be frustrated and confined, leading her to eventually be released from her contract in 2012. Before that Taylor dabbled in acting and modeling for a while, putting her music career on the back burner besides a handful of guest appearances (Kanye West, Trey Songz, Missy Elliott, Fabolous).

Early 2012, Taylor released her independent offering, The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor, an ode to Lauryn Hill. The release was a substantial effort highlighting Taylor’s growth as a rapper and singer, but not enough to anchor her as a heavyweight contender. With VII, Taylor can finally hush up naysayers because her vocals are more mature than ever before. On this record, she exudes the type of confidence that isn’t taking no for an answer and proves that she has finally carved out her space in the music industry.

VII, opens up with the one minute and eleven-second interlude, “Outta My League,” where Taylor sings about being invisible to a dude that’s unobtainable. It’s clear that Taylor has studied those that came before her, specifically Brandy. On “Just Different,” she channels the “I Wanna Be Down” singer with her airy vocals over the soulful track that has a melancholy feel. Taylor then switches gears and taps into her sultry side on the steamy “Request” and seductive “Do Not Disturb,” which features her longtime friend Chris Brown. Fabolous makes an appearance on “Broken Hearted Girl,” but don’t let the title fool you. The song is far more than just about a love lost. At the end, the 23-year-old interpolates the late Teena Marie’s famous run from “Porteguese Love.” Although it’s not executed exquisitely (it would be much better sans echo) a true R&B fan would appreciate the reference.

Read the rest over at Hot New Hip Hop.

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