'The Album': Teyana Taylor celebrates Juneteenth with a record on black excellence, fans call it 'perfection'
American singer-songwriter and dancer Teyana Taylor has dropped 'The Album' in celebration of Juneteenth, the day that marks the emancipation of the last of the enslaved African-Americans back in 1865.
The project features rap, hip hop and R&B legends Erykah Badu, Missy Elliott, and Lauryn Hill in addition to contemporary icons like Future, Kehlani, Quavo, Rick Ross, and many, many more. Taylor held a listening party for the record on June 17 which had Cardi B and Offset (and their daughter Kulture), Quavo, Trey Songz, Winnie Harlow, Snoh Aalegra, Ryan Destiny, Keith Powers, King Combs, Eric Bellinger, Karen Civil, Lena Waithe, Lori Harvey, and many others in attendance. The interactive experience had guests separate into themed rooms, with one of the rooms being an outdoor area full of photographs and messages dedicated to the Black Lives Matter movement. The event also honored George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, among others, with a moment of silence.
'The Album' is Taylor’s first project since her critically-acclaimed 2018 release 'K.T.S.E.' (Keep That Same Energy). She was also recently nominated for video director of the year at the 2020 BET Awards under her director stage name 'Spike Tee'. The artiste announced the release of the album with Tweet that read, "THE ALBUM OUT NOWWWWWWWWWW EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!" which was followed by a stream of comments from fans sending love her way.
"Teyana Taylor always delivers," tweeted one fan, "But this what I've been waiting for," said another, "Teyana Taylor did her sh*t with this album," stated one fan, and another shared, "Teyana Taylor did not disappoint me / great album." Fans are already predicting the album is a hit, with some calling it "perfection" and saying it has them "lit." As one fan stated, "Teyana makes high quality music." Some fans were happy to hear more of Taylor's own sound on this record, stating, "I like that Teyana seems to have creative control on this project. Her last album was great but it was damn near a Tey x Kanye collab." Fans also praised the album's cover, tweeting, "Teyana Taylor is serving Grace Jones vibes on the album cover."
Naturally, the most iconic part of this album is its features. "Teyana Taylor just gave us her album with 23 songs and an Eryka Badu and Lauryn Hill feature," tweeted one fan and another stated, "Teyana got Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliot, and Future all on one album whew." One fan said, "Girl... you & Erykah Badu," another tweeted, "Teyana x Kehlani in the same song >>>>>>>>" one fan said, "The last song on Teyana's album features Lauryn Hill. I just want to skip to the end, I can't wait."
Fans are also already picking their favorites off 'The Album'. One shared, "Boomin and Killa are potential favs. Teyana might’ve did something," another called '1800-One-Night' "Smooth," and one fan shared, "'Teyana Taylor — Wrong B*tch' Whew, sis preached." Overall, fans seem to largely appreciate the songs individually as well as the album as a whole, which tells a cohesive story in addition demonstrating Taylor's remarkable musical skills. As one fan stated, "Listen the intro was beautiful. To say the least I love how she’s giving us the story the bringing her journey even tho we know it and seen it here’s her tellin it through the art. Yes! Teyana yes."