Teyana Taylor’s next project, Escape Room, is being positioned as a cinematic experience that blends music with narrative film. The singer-actor has revealed a 22-track album that includes spoken interludes to help set the mood and story.
The tracklist, shared on Instagram on August 13, shows an opening intro featuring Taraji P. Henson, followed by a powerful lineup of co-stars who help shape the album’s scenes. The cast includes La La Anthony, Jodie Turner-Smith, Regina King, Niecy Nash, Kerry Washington, and Issa Rae on two interludes, with Sarah Paulson rounding out the ensemble. Paulson is slated to star opposite Taylor in the Ryan Murphy-created drama All’s Fair, and Taylor previously shared the screen with Henson in Tyler Perry’s Straw, which premiered on Netflix earlier this year.
In addition to the feature guests, several musical contributors are attached to Escape Room. Lucky Daye, Tyla, Jill Scott, and Tasha Smith appear across the project, along with Taylor’s two children, Rue Rose Shumpert and Junie Shumpert, whom she shares with ex-husband Iman Shumpert.
Taylor has commented on how she selected these collaborators, telling GQ that she reached out to people whose “hug” felt like a genuine connection—an acknowledgment that the project is as much about emotional resonance as it is about music.
The concept isn’t limited to an album: Escape Room will be accompanied by a short film, with Taylor portraying a woman who heals from heartbreak and discovers love in an unexpected place. Taylor also directed the visuals for the project, underscoring her hands-on approach to this cross-media venture.
Escape Room is slated for release Friday, August 22, through Def Jam. The project represents a bold move toward a Broadway-adjacent dream—Taylor has expressed hope that the work might eventually move to the stage, expanding her storytelling beyond traditional album formats.
Value and outlook:
– This album-film fusion underscores a broader trend of artists expanding storytelling beyond music, creating multi-genre experiences that can attract broader audiences.
– The star-studded cast of actors from television and film alongside a diverse slate of musical guests adds anticipation and crossover appeal.
– Taylor’s directorial role and the planned short film offer fans a more immersive, cinematic listening experience.
Summary:
Teyana Taylor’s Escape Room aims to be more than a traditional album by weaving a 22-track musical journey with a narrative film and a star-studded supporting cast. With a release set for August 22 and Broadway aspirations on her horizon, the project signals Taylor’s commitment to expanding her artistry across media while delivering a cinematic, emotionally resonant experience for fans.