Teyana Taylor is tomboy chic and ‘sexy’ on the November issue of Rolling Out magazine. The 23- year old artist is gearing up to release her first debut album ‘VII‘ next month.
Teyana talks about the inspiration behind the number title, among other subjects including her public feud with fellow singer, Rihanna and love triangle feud with ex boyfriend, Brandon Jennings and ex-friend, Tae Heckard .
Get into a few excerpts and pics below:
On The New Album:
“Seven is the number of completion. Seven actually has different meanings, but for me, I feel like I’ve been in the business for seven years and there have been a lot of bumpy roads and detours and all types of stuff going on within those seven years…..
But now in the seventh year, everything is finally completed and is coming together. It’s done and I can give you a full body of work. So that number means a lot to me and this year is very important to me.”
Teyana explains her seven year music hiatus , and how difficult it was for her to get her music out.
” There was never an easy part. Creating a great body of work is always the hardest part, but the easy part about it is the love for it and being passionate about it. But everything is difficult. Everything is blood, sweat and tears. You’re going to smile, you’re going to cry, you’re going to be happy and mad, you’re going to feel like you want to throw something, you’re going to feel like you want to hug everybody that walks by you. So it’s like a bittersweet situation.”
In preparation of her new album, Teyana says she is displaying her best talents on the studio lp. Taylor was blessed to receive co-sgn and music mentorship from two of the industry’s heavy weight music producer, Pharell Williams, and Kanye West.
” Pharrell and Kanye are perfectionists and that’s all they surround themselves with and that’s all they know, says Teyana.When you’re around that, it automatically rubs off on you. So everything I do has to be perfect, it can’t be half-a–ed. You either gotta do it or not do it at all. So, definitely perfection is the most important thing.”
Taylor says she’s more low key on social media these days, thanks to her new rumored relationship with NBA baller, Iman Shumpert.
” I’m happy, she admits about her relationship with Shumpert. I’m not on the phone too much and I’m not really on social media now. When you have a peace of mind, which is your companion, you listen to your man so when he’s telling you to calm down, then eventually you let it go.
But when you’re in your own space and you feel independent with your feelings, then it’s just like, ‘OK, I’m going to do what I want to do. But when you have your peace of mind, it takes your mind off all the negativity and all the people that [are] trying to bother you.”
Be sure to head over to ‘Rolling Out‘ for more the full article. Teyana’s new album ‘VII’ hit stores on November 4th via Kanye West G.O.O.D Music, and Island Def Jam record label.