VII (Teyana Taylor album)
| VII | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Studio album by Teyana Taylor | ||||
| Released | November 4, 2014 | |||
| Recorded | 2012–14 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 38:58 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
|
|||
| Teyana Taylor chronology | ||||
|
||||
| Deluxe edition cover | ||||
 |
||||
| Singles from VII | ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 77/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Complex | |
| Entertainment Weekly | B |
| HipHopDX |  |
| PopMatters | 7/10 |
VII is the debut studio album by American recording artist Teyana Taylor. The album was released on November 4, 2014, by Def Jam Recordings and GOOD Music. Leading up to the album's release, Teyana released the mixtape The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor (2012), along with collaborating on the GOOD Music compilation album Cruel Summer (2012). The album features guest appearances from Chris Brown, Fabolous, Pusha T and Yo Gotti. The album was executively produced by Che Pope & Teyana Taylor. Recording took place at Jungle City Studios in New York & KMA Studios, NYC, as well as The Kennedy Compound in North Hollywood, California & Labren Studio in Inglewood, CA.
VII was promoted by the release of three official singles: "Maybe" featuring Yo Gotti and Pusha T, "Business" and "Do Not Disturb" featuring Chris Brown.
In 2012, Taylor was released from her contract with Interscope and Star Trak. Taylor stated that she and Star Trak founder Pharrell Williams, have remained amiable since the end of their business relationship. She has credited him as a "big brother" and sees her early signing to Star Trak as a "blessing." Taylor has stated on many occasions that her release from the label was necessary because she wanted to have a level of independence in the music industry. In an interview with DJ Skee, Taylor mentioned that "when [she] was signed for six years, [she] felt like she couldn't do [anything]," and that she "couldn't prove to [her] fans that [she] had the talent" and "couldn't sing from [her] heart." In an August 2012, interview with Complex, Taylor spoke about when she would begin recording the album, saying: "I start August 6. I’m so excited. I’ll be in the studio for a month straight. I’m going in. My iPod is full of Total, 112, and Mary, Mint Condition and Donell Jones and Brandy. That’s what I want to accomplish. I want that ‘90s vibe."
...
Wikipedia