Short but sweet, R&B singer and actress Teyana Taylor has a surefire hit on her hands with her sophomore album, ‘K.T.S.E.’

The summer of Kanye West continues.  Yes, Mr. West has been busy producing for himself as well as others throughout the month of June.  Keeping ‘G.O.O.D.’ new music coming, the latest release at his hands comes from R&B singer and actress Teyana Taylor.  Taylor quietly released a solid debut album in 2014, VII. This go around, instead of 12 tracks and 38 minutes of album, Taylor opts for eight tracks and 22 minutes of album on her sophomore project,  K.T.S.E. Look at it this way, she got one more track than Daytona, Ye,  KIDS SEE GHOSTS, or NASIR.

“No Manners” 

“I got a man, but ain’t got no manners.” That’s the key lyric from the brief intro, “No Manners.” In addition to the central lyric, Teyana Taylor expresses her love for her husband, pro-baller Iman Shumpert, while accompanied by truly lush, gorgeous backdrop. The soulful “Gonna Love Me” marks the first full-length record, highlighting Taylor’s expressive, truly rich pipes.  It plays off the point she makes on “No Manners” –she loves her man, through thick and thin.

“Issues/Hold On”

The soul continues to dominate on “Issues/Hold On,” fueled by a Billy Stewart sample.  Although Taylor is far removed from the era when soul was king, her sultry pipes match the classical backdrop and vibe perfectly.  It is her lower register that really gives those feels as you can just sense how devoted she is, relationship issues or not.  One of the best lyrics comes on the second verse where she sings, “Love ain’t a game full of X’s and O’s / But I done been played before, I played it safe before.” Shumpert is written all over that one…

“Keep your eyes all on this fatty / If you like what you see take your hands and grab it.” Oh my.  While the production that accompanies “Hurry” isn’t as flashy as some that appears on K.T.S.E., the minimalist sound – led by the bass – is golden. A blunt Kanye West appears on the first verse, contrasting the smoother Taylor, whose chorus precedes. While Taylor keeps it smooth, sex is clearly the modus operandi, later amplified by the pronounced orgasmic sounds.

“Anything for my baby, I’d do some crazy things.” Hence, we have “3Way.” No secret what this sex-driven record is about, even incorporating Ty Dolla $ign on the third verse.  Notably, Ty had his own song, “3 Wayz”, featuring Travis Scott, on his 2016 mixtape, Campaign.  The song definitely isn’t transcendent, but regarding Taylor’s sex life with Shumpert, well,  to each his or her own. 

“Rose in Harlem”

“Rose in Harlem” is the crème de la crème of K.T.S.E.  That’s saying something considering how strong this miniature album is. A marvelous sample, “Because I Love You, Girl”, courtesy of The Stylistics, fuels the fire.  Vocally, Teyana is in her zone, particularly on the gritty refrain:

“It be the ones who say they ride for you / It be the one, the one you love, them too / It be the ones who swear they real, not true / It be them ones, it be them ones / Don’t get caught up.” 

Rewind back, Taylor thrives off of a fierce attitude that exemplifies the rough-and-tumble Harlem.  On the first verse, she focuses on her perceived lukewarm success at best – “Oh no, what a shame / 10 years in the game / Niggas like ‘You ain’t hot? You ain’t pop yet? / What’s up wit’ you and Ye?’” There’s more fire on the second verse.  Call it what it is – Teyana talks her shh-.

“Never Would Have Made It”

“Never would have made it / Never would have made it without you.”  Contemporary gospel music fans will recognize the Marvin Sapp interpolation on the penultimate record, “Never Would Have Made It.”  The premise of this record isn’t that far-fetched from the Sapp record.  It should be noted that Teyana Taylor seems to go beyond praises to God for newfound strength and maturity, incorporating her mother as well as her hubby.   

“WTP” concludes K.T.S.E. with a bang – understatement.  From the get-go, the record is ‘in your face,’ with the Go Bitch Go! “Work This Pussy” sample being inescapable.  Additionally, the James Brown classic “Get Up Offa That Thing” is sampled. Being unapologetic in her own right, Teyana Taylor sings on the chorus, “I’m still, I’m still right here tonight / So I will make you cum through the night / Will you touch me? Will you go deep in me? I will in the sheets.” Initially, this record was ‘too much’ personally, but, I appreciate the relationship to Ball culture as well as highlighting the polarizing nature of art itself.

Final Thoughts 

K.T.S.E. may be short, but this eight-track album is enjoyable through and through.  Teyana Taylor focuses mostly on matters of the heart and the bedroom, with some extras thrown in. While the songs are great more often than not, it is the production as well as Taylor’s gorgeous voice that really propels the album to greatness. 

Gems: “Gonna Love Me,” “Issues/Hold On,” “Hurry” & “Rose in Harlem”

Teyana Taylor • K.T.S.E. • G.O.O.D. / Def Jam • Release: 6.23.18

Photo Credits: G.O.O.D. / Def Jam