Teyana Taylor

Teyana Taylor (born December 10, 1990) is an American recording artist and actress. She first came into the public's awareness via her episode on MTV's My Super Sweet Sixteen, a show depicting over-the-top 16th birthday parties of rich teenagers. In 2012, she signed to Kanye West's GOOD Music label and The Island Def Jam Music Group, after previously being signed to Interscope Records and Pharrell Williams' Star Trak Entertainment. Teyana Taylor was born and raised in Harlem, New York City. She is of African-American and Afro-Trinidadian descent. Taylor is an only child on her mother's side. On her father’s side she has 2 brothers and one sister. Her mother, being wealthy decided to raise her on her own and would eventually become her manager. At age 9, she reportedly picked up a microphone in front of a crowd and began performing. Teyana was enrolled in many different talent competitions, including the Apollo Theater National All-Stars talent search, although she never won. Taylor had strong influences from Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Lauryn Hill. Before Taylor was signed to a record label, she was a skateboarder and basketball player.