Five years ago, Teyana Taylor released her fourth studio album. Complete with 23 tracks and contributions from legends like Lauryn Hill and Missy Elliott, The Album was well received by her fan base and critics alike, debuting at number eight on the Billboard 200 and earning a gold plaque from the RIAA. Ultimately, she finished the year with 162.8 million streams and 15.2 million listeners on Spotify alone, but it wasn’t enough. Taylor, who has been a public figure within the entertainment sphere since she was 16 years old, was worn down by the business of music and many of the challenges that fans and journalists are not privy to. As a result, she elected to walk away from her career as a recording artist.
“I ain’t gone front in times of feeling super under appreciated as a artist, receiving little to no real push from the ‘machine,’ constantly getting the shorter end of the stick, being overlooked, I mean the list on and on lol.. I’m retiring this chapter of my story with the comfort that i can depart with peace of mind seeing that all the hard work & passion put in was indeed loved & supported somewhere in the world,” she wrote in a lengthy Instagram post.
With that said, Taylor didn’t walk away from music or entertainment entirely. She continued to direct music videos, work with artists to improve their on-stage performances, and starred in several movies. Now, in 2025, she’s decided to return to music and put out her fourth studio album, Escape Room.
“When I spoke to you five years ago, it wasn’t on my terms,” Taylor told Billboard. “I’ve returned now in a time when I get to come back on my terms. 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.”
In her return, Taylor has recruited a diverse selection of stars to help her bring the album to life, including actresses Jodie Turner-Smith, Lala Anthony, Niecy Nash, Issa Rae, Regina King, Sarah Paulson, Kerry Washington, and Tasha Smith. Also, the project features the legendary Jill Scott, GRAMMY Award winner Kaytranada, rising star Tyla, and Lucky Daye. Not to mention, Taylor’s children, Junie and Rue Rose, are featured on the outro. Check out the full album, Escape Room, below.
