Teyana Taylor is addressing retirement rumors and taking aim at her record label home of more than a decade — Def Jam Recordings.
The multi-hyphenate took to Instagram Live on Saturday (November 5) to clear the air after fans and peers such as Cardi B believed Taylor was calling it quits following the release of her latest project The Album and subsequent Grammy Awards snub.
“First, let’s be clear, this has nothing to do with a Grammy,” she started in the 30-minute live session. “C’mon y’all, I been signed in an industry since I was 15 years old. I’ll be 30 in how many days? Ya’ll know I stay to myself, I’m all about my business. As far what I’m feeling when I say I feel unappreciated cause I have little to no push, I say I’m getting overlooked by the people who are supposed to push me the most, my partners, my label.”
Taylor revealed she was dismayed with the music industry and how she no longer had any love for the music due to the politics within it.
“I asked Def Jam to drop me on almost 10 different occasions,” she said. Straight to the face. Up in the building. At this point, I can’t let this kill me. Granted, to my fans, I think that, you know — and I can see how my message can come across but at the same time — I feel like it’s a tiny bit selfish to say, ‘What about your fans? Do it for your fans.’ Baby, I gotta do it for my mental health. I have to do it for my emotional health. I have to do it for my kids so I can stay alive for my kids.”
She then continued discussing her grievances with the industry and how she felt she never got actual support from Def Jam in regards to her albums and how she didn’t feel protected by the label in totality.
“I constantly get attacked for all the fuck shit the label do and, y’all know me, I stay quiet, but it’s so much I can take,” she said. “So maybe, if I retire, niggas will let me go. Drop me, fam. Let me be free. I’m tired … Baby, I’ve been doing this since I was 15 years old. I’m about to be 30. And besides performing for my real fans and actually being in a booth, nothing else about music makes me happy. Period.”
Teyana Taylor Pins Misogyny On 2021 Grammy Nominations: 'All I See Is Dick'
Although the K.T.S.E. singer says her frustrations with the industry had nothing to do with the Grammys, she was vocal in how the R&B categories were male-dominated, despite a banner year of releases from Summer Walker, Kehlani and herself.
Rappers dont understand this.. you signed a contract, w no gun to your head. If you want freedom u come in with an offer.. labels dont invest time and money in talent to give them a smash hit and say ok go on your independent route good luck!
Did you make an offer to get out of your signed contract?
U don’t know what u talking about u can have things like creative control ownership of masters and releases in your contract signing with a label does not mean they own u it’s about u bring on ur business
I thought that a singer became an entertainer because they love music and want to share their talent with the world instead of getting respect from the quote unquote music industry.
Lookin like Grace Jones in Boomerang
Once an artist signs a contract and accept an advance/loan from the label, the label owns the artists and the artist is indebted to the label. She doesn’t have any pull to demand a release. Def Jam will release her when the label is ready too because the label owns her. Should’ve went the independent route and put up her own money to fund her career
Her album was great best r and b album from a female artist I’ve heard in a very long time. All these female r and b artist albums are not good, You’ll hear a banging single on the radio and be like man I know her album should be good, nope never the case. Teyana album was best r and b album from a female I’ve heard since Mariah album that drop in like 05-06. But she gotta know like every other artist if you are sign to a label you have little to know control, and also if you independent you take more of a financial risk. But I’m tired of artist complaining about the grammy’s. These rappers and singers will be quick to say I do this for my family and fans, but when the people they claim they not doing it for don’t recognize or nominate them they throw the biggest rants. If you getting money, family happen and your fans love your content you good.
She is so annoying. All of her music is wack, and she acts like she is the greatest singer of all time with all of these great songs she’s either picked or wrote.
She is annoying I agree but her music is decent imo. Check out songs called wake up and made it from her.
you can say that again. she signed a fucking contract with possibly so many stipulations and she is complaining. you are talking about your family and your kids in this business or in the world for that matter it is not easy to make that dollar. it is not easy to be successful. jesus christ do you think i go to the catholic church to have a bit of a windfall? hell no and god knows it. fuck these heartless business scum. i wish you all the best teyana.
I really don’t know what it is about her, but I would just love to get my duck sucked by her! I’m gonna beat one real quick right now.
Dumb bitch
She’s just not that good. Never has been.