Teyana Taylor’s fourth studio album Escape Room has arrived.
The self-proclaimed Auntie released the feature-length visual album on Amazon Prime. Escape Room features Jill Scott, Lucky Daye, Tyla. Additionally, the project is narrated by Hollywood elites from Issa Rae, Taraji P. Henson, Regina King and Kerry Washington.
Taylor frames her decision to return to music after her retirement as a reclamation of her creative voice.
“I’ve returned now in a time when I get to come back on my terms,” she told Billboard about coming out of retirement.
“And that was important for me because … I don’t like to be stuck in a box. I don’t want to be stuck in one room. I’m a Glade plug-in: I’m going to plug in wherever I see a socket, wherever I see an outlet.”
Aaron Pierre, Taylor’s current boo, co-stars in the visual album. Pierre spoke about his involvement and what it meant to him to step directly into Taylor’s world.
“For me …it was always about serving Teyana and serving her…serving her visionary spirit, her artistry, her creativity. Teyana is really one of one. Okay,” Pierre said. “I was just trying to just listen to the director. I didn’t want to get cussed out.”
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Pierre acts alongside LaKeith Stanfield in the Aunties-directed project. Furthermore, Escape Room is produced by Taylor’s all-women creative team. The film, like the album, takes on real life themes that mirror some of Taylor’s recent personal life, including her contentious divorce from ex-NBA player Iman Shumpert. The multi-hyphenate creative sings and visualizes trauma, heartbreak, and resilience. The premiere also came against the backdrop of Taylor and Pierre confirming their relationship in June, drawing curious eyes to their on-screen chemistry.
The release marks the end to Taylor’s 2020 musical retirement and public divorce from Iman Shumpert after a seven-year Union that bore two children. During her press run, the mother of two describes the time as a period that took away her passion for music. Since then, she’s pursued other creative endeavors. With her creative agency Auntie, Taylor has been a choreographer and artistic director for multiple artists.
Taylor’s return to music is letting the world know though she bent, in face of industry challenges, she did not break. The young Auntie is taking control unapologetically.
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