Teyana Taylor Reflects On Signing With Pharrell At 15

Teyana Taylor recently opened up to Angie Martinez about signing with Pharrell at just 15 years old.

BYCole Blake
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Teyana Taylor On Set At Video Shoot

Teyana Taylor recently reflected on her experiences from signing with Pharrell Williams at just 15 years old during an interview with Angie Martinez. She inked a deal with the legendary producer's Star Trak Entertainment imprint in the 2000s. Taylor explained that, without her father in her life, Pharrell began to fill the role.

"No matter how I felt when I was younger, like, none of these doors would've ever opened if it wasn't for P. With him, it's why I hold him on such a high pedestal. Because I didn't have a dad, you know what I'm saying? He enjoyed me bragging about him-- you know like calling him dad because it was something that he wanted," Taylor explained.

Teyana Taylor With Pharrell In 2008

(EXCLUSIVE, Premium Rates Apply) BROOKLYN, NY - FEBRUARY 05: Pharrell and Teyana Taylor watch the playback on the set for the video shoot for "Google Me, Baby" on February 5, 2008 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Brian Ach/WireImage)

She continued: "Also, knowing him as well as I know him, it wasn't a thing that you did on purpose. You didn't purposely not protect me. It might've been a thing where you-- you know, he's so gentle and letting everybody push him out the way. And I guess for me, that 15-year-old, that girl just needed you to fight a little harder. You know what I'm saying? Needed you to maybe push even if you didn't have the strength to. I just needed you to push for me more."

When The Shade Room shared the clip from the interview, fans were surprised at how candid Taylor's answers were. "Wow, that’s deep. Sound like a private conversation is needed between the two," one user commented. Another wrote: "Feeling unprotected is a real thing every black woman goes through in her life, irregardless of who it may be at the hands of. With no shade towards anyone, of course. I understand this was all music business stuff but still, we be wanting to feel like someone has our back and they just never do."

Elsewhere in Taylor's interview with Martinez, the two discussed Taylor's newest film, A Thousand And One, which just premiered in NYC. They also spoke about her relationship with God, working with Kanye West, and more.

Teyana Taylor Discusses Pharrell With Angie Martinez

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About The Author
Cole Blake is currently an Editor at HotNewHipHop based out of Brooklyn, New York. He began working at the site as an intern back in 2018 while studying journalism at St. John’s University. In the time since, he’s graduated with a bachelor's degree and written extensively about a wide range of topics including pop culture, film & television, politics, video games, sports, and much more. He’s also covered music festivals such as Gov. Ball and Rolling Loud. You can find him publishing work for HNHH from Monday to Wednesday or on weekends. On the sports front, Cole’s a passionate NBA and NFL fan with his favorite teams being the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Lakers. He also roots for the Yankees whenever he finds himself at Yankee Stadium or the Red Storm when in the company of other SJU alumni. His favorite hip-hop artists are billy woods, Earl Sweatshirt, Cam’ron, MIKE, and Mach-Hommy.