It’s undeniable at this point that Teyana Taylor is one talented woman, she has been hustling in this industry for the past 14 years. She was signed to Pharrell’s Star Trak Entertainment label at the age of 15, but most people’s first introduction to Teyana comes from her now-classic episode on MTV’s My Super Sweet Sixteen. Queen Beyoncé anointed her a star after she helped choreograph the music video for “Ring The Alarm” which is easily one of Beyoncé’s best music videos. Teyana had another reintroduction when she blew up the internet with her appearance in Kanye’s music video “Fade” which debuted at the 2016 VMAs. Fans couldn’t contain their excitement after seeing her in the video, and who can blame them, with the way she was strutting her killer body. To be honest, it’s the best look Kanye has ever given her since she has been on Good Music. Teyana is more than that music video, she has a beautiful husky voice, is an amazing dancer, and is a true visionary. We have recently seen how much of a visionary she is with her self directed music videos for songs like “Issues/Hold On” and “Gonna Love Me (Remix)” but she really brought it with her latest video for “HYWI” ft. King Combs which is dripping in 90’s nostalgia.
Teyana aka “Spike Tee” didn’t come to play. The music video starts off with a familiar beat that we know from the song “What You Want” by Mase ft. Total and her making several visual references from LL Cool J’s music video for the 1995 hit song “Doint It”. Teyana rocks the Kango styled beret, tiny shades, and all-white get-up so effortlessly and the things she was doing with that apple during the whole striptease scene – we would like to be that apple.
Easily the most memorable look from the video is the custom-designed MCM pieces both Teyana and Christian Combs (aka Diddy’s twin) are rocking, designed by costume designer and renowned stylist Misa Hylton. Ms. Hylton is known for dressing influential Hip-Hop artists of the ’90s like Lil Kim, of course having her son Justin Dior Combs with Diddy and now being a creative director at MCM.
Hands down the best part of the video is the tribute both Teyana and Christian pay to the infamous “fish-eye” tunnel scene from the Hype Williams directed music video for “Mo Money Mo Problems” by The Notorious B.I.G ft. Puff Daddy & Mase. Brooklyn based brand Karl Kani provided the modern version of shiny suits for the video.
Of course, we have to give a special shout out to EJ King that pulled together the wardrobe, make-up artist Wendi Miyake that slayed Teyana’s face and hairstylist Kellon Williams that created looks that left us wigless.
By Tomi Otekunrin
