Tiana Taylor recently had a candid chat with Angie Martinez, offering profound insights. If you get the chance, I highly recommend watching it; the interview was quite compelling. One notable aspect was Tiana reflecting on moments in her career where her team missed opportunities. Tiana’s journey in entertainment began in her teenage years when she was signed to Pharrell’s label, Star Trek Records, under Interscope, at just 15. She gained early exposure through MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 and appeared in notable music videos like Jay-Z’s “Blue Magic” and Webstar and Young B’s “Chicken Noodle Soup.” Her talent and vision were evident from a young age, earning praise from industry giants like Beyoncé, who was impressed by Tiana’s choreography for “Ring the Alarm.” Beyoncé even expressed interest in mentoring Tiana, showcasing her remarkable potential at such a young age.
“When I first signed with Pharrell, I had already collaborated with Beyoncé. During our time together, she took a genuine interest in my situation, asking, ‘What’s your setup?’ I vividly recall the day, feeling a rush of excitement. Freshly signed with Pharrell, having recently worked with Beyoncé on the ‘Ring Alarm’ video and singing for her, I bounded in with youthful enthusiasm, introducing myself as Tiana. Her response was pure delight. After we wrapped up our work, she took a moment to inquire about my signing, wanting to ensure the ink was dry on the contract. Her support has been unwavering. Every encounter with her is filled with genuine interest in my endeavors. She showers me with love and encouragement, completely unaware of my affiliations. She simply sees potential and asks, ‘What’s next?’ Her insight is invaluable.”
In the early stages of Tiana’s career, she encountered challenges with Teyana and Pharrell, despite receiving significant endorsements. Back in 2008, she dropped her debut single, “Google Me,” intended as the flagship track for her debut album. However, that album never saw the light of day. Responsibility fell on Pharrell to ensure Tiana’s project saw release, but his passivity and packed schedule hindered progress. Pharrell, a highly sought-after producer and artist at the time, juggled his own solo ventures and work with N.E.R.D, leaving little room to prioritize Tiana’s career. Additionally, Tiana’s youth may have contributed to Pharrell’s uncertainty in marketing and promoting her effectively. To garner support for Tiana, Pharrell needed approval from higher-ups at Interscope and Universal, under whom he operated despite having his own label. Regrettably, Pharrell’s efforts on Tiana’s behalf fell short. While he had managed successful collaborations with artists like Kelis, Slim Thug, The Clipse, and Robin Thicke, complications persisted on the business end, leaving Tiana feeling neglected. This scenario underscores the challenges of signing with an already established artist, as emerging talents often struggle to secure priority. Rare instances of success, such as Nicki Minaj and Drake under Lil Wayne, are exceptions rather than the norm. Pharrell’s inability to champion Tiana’s cause left her disillusioned, especially considering their mentor-mentee relationship. Tiana had hoped for a stronger advocate in Pharrell, whom she regarded as both mentor and father figure, but her expectations went unmet, leaving her deeply disheartened.
You had a profoundly honest exchange with Pharrell because he was the first to believe in you, almost like a paternal figure in your life. Holding him in high regard stems from this connection, especially since you didn’t have a father figure. Despite this, you felt a sense of betrayal as various influences interfered, causing a rift in your relationship. When you made the decision to part ways with Star Trek, it wasn’t easy, and Pharrell opposed it. Exiting the contract at a young age brought a wave of challenges as you navigated adulthood. Despite any grievances, you acknowledge that none of your successes would have been possible without Pharrell’s initial support, and you remain deeply grateful for his role in your journey.
Tiana’s career took a significant leap forward when she starred in Kanye West’s “Fade” video. This exposure to the mainstream audience marked a pivotal moment for her. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for her to leverage her newfound fame. However, there wasn’t a coordinated plan in place to capitalize on this momentum. This lack of strategic rollout deeply impacted Tiana, especially regarding her music aspirations. Despite this setback, Tiana found avenues to benefit from her appearance in the “Fade” video. She secured numerous endorsement deals, a modeling contract, and garnered attention in mainstream publications. While these opportunities were valuable, the absence of a timely music release following the video’s success was a missed chance to propel her music career forward. In hindsight, seizing that moment would have been a smart business move and could have significantly elevated her music career.
It felt like every time I approached the door, it slammed shut right in my face. That was the overwhelming sensation I experienced, you know? Even leading up to ‘Fade.’ Even when ‘Fade’ was about to drop, I wasn’t informed. I think it was probably on the day itself that I found out, and even then, I wasn’t fully aware. I wasn’t even present. I definitely feel deserving of recognition. It’s disheartening and discouraging at times. I think to myself, “I put in so much effort,” but then to realize that it’s not getting the recognition it deserves—it’s frustrating. Personally, I believe that after ‘Fade’ was released, my album should have followed, perhaps a solid two weeks later. Was it prepared? I didn’t have an album. I had no idea when ‘Fade’ would drop. Yeah, there was no plan in place.
It made me wonder if that moment was truly about me at all. The marketer in me was focused on dropping the song, thinking about the album, planning our next moves—that was my mindset. Yet, another part of me hesitated to show any public discontent. I valued the opportunity, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that if this was genuinely about me, then it should fully reflect that.
When Tiana signed with Kanye, she found herself in a situation reminiscent of her time under Pharrell—still searching for that breakthrough in music. Some might argue she didn’t work hard enough, but that’s far from the truth. Tiana poured her all into her craft, often working solo. And dismissing the notion of lacking the ‘it’ factor is easy, considering her enduring relevance and recent acclaim for her role in “A Thousand and One,” with Oscar buzz surrounding her. She’s garnered praise from industry legends, showcasing her undeniable talent across multiple disciplines. She possesses all the elements but lacked the right support system. Pharrell and Kanye, while supportive, didn’t prioritize her as their main focus.
In 2018, Tiana released “K.T.S.E.” (Keep That Same Energy), marking a career high. However, the rollout was less than ideal, overshadowed by Kanye’s other endeavors. Despite its short duration, the album yielded hits, notably “Gonna Love Me.” Tiana, unaware of the album’s brevity, pressed on.
She persisted, releasing “The Album” in 2020, her most successful to date. Yet, feeling undervalued by her label led her to contemplate retirement, repeatedly asking Def Jam to release her. Despite frustrations, Tiana remains resilient, expanding into acting and creative directing. Her family provides unwavering support as she ventures into new endeavors, leaving the door to music slightly ajar.
Despite her trials, Tiana harbors no bitterness, grateful for the experiences that shaped her journey. She sees each setback as preparation for what lies ahead, finding solace in candid conversations with God. Gratitude fills her heart for the opportunities provided by Kanye and Pharrell, paving the way for whatever comes next.