Teyana Taylor Decided To Retire After Feeling "Underappreciated" By Her Label

Back in December, five months after releasing her acclaimed project "The Album" was released, Taylor announced her retirement.

BYErika Marie
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Fans were disappointed to learn of Teyana Taylor’s retirement. The singer shared the news back in December 2020, just five months after releasing her acclaimed, stacked project, The Album. Taylor poured her heart and soul into the record, but within those few months, something occurred behind the scene to make her feel as if it was time to bow out of her career—at least, temporarily.

The wife and mother of two recently sat down with Cam Newton on his Sip ‘N Smoke series to share bits about her career, including an explanation as to why she felt “underappreciated” by her record label.

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“At the end of the day, I’m a mom first,” said Taylor. “A mom, a wife, a woman. And I think for me, I put in a lot of work. I work very, very hard. So, if you feel unheard and unseen—like how I said earlier with my husband. He sees me, he hears me. I take that sh*t serious. Everything that I do. So if you’re my husband, or I’m signed, everybody that I’m aligned with should see me. They should hear me. They should feel me. If you don’t see me, hear me, or feel me, it’s a dub for you.”

“And I felt like the label wasn’t really hearing me and seeing me,” she continued. “I felt underappreciated. So, for my mental health, my mental well-being, for my kids, let me just put this on ice for a little [bit]. It’s not that I retired permanently. It’s more like, I just don’t feel like I want to move another inch for a company.”

Watch Teyana Taylor’s insightful Sip 'N Smoke episode below.


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About The Author
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.