INTERVIEW: Teyana Taylor Brings Out Total at Summer Jam, Talks the Music Scene in Harlem

Teyana Taylor Brings Out Total at Summer Jam, Talks the Music Scene in Harlem

When Kanye West stressed that Teyana Taylor‘s debut album, VII, was important for the state of R&B at her Los Angeles listening party last year, he wasn’t just blindly praising the young Harlem native he signed 5 years ago. VII has since been praised as a necessary refresher course in classic R&B by critics nationwide, and it earned Taylor a spot on the Hot 97 Summer Jam Festival stage, which is often a direct launching pad to the main stage of the world’s most notorious Hip-Hop and R&B concert.

After her performance, during which she ran through a bevy of her most popular songs, including what’s probably her biggest record to date, “Do Not Disturb.” As a quick surprise, Taylor brought out two-thirds of 90′s R&B group Total, who performed their hit single “Can’t You See,” and engage in a bit of “Kanye dancing.” Watch a brief clip of her performance above, and check out her comments on meeting the classic Total, and the music scene in her hometown of Harlem.

NEWS: Creative Business Idea: Harlem Teen Opens Pawn Shop For Sneakers!

Creative Business Idea: Harlem Teen Opens Pawn Shop For Sneakers!

A 16-year-old sneaker-loving teen opens a pawnshop in Harlem that uses high-end athletic shoes as collateral. 

NEWS: Hip Hop Hall Of Fame Coming To Harlem In 2017

Hip Hop Hall Of Fame Coming To Harlem In 2017

What do you want to see in the Hip Hop Hall Of Fame?

How long does it take for a music genre to get its own museum? About 40 years, apparently. It's been a long time coming, but the Hip Hop Hall Of Fame will finally open its doors to the public in the year 2017. Located in Harlem and midtown, the site will house various items from hip-hop history including posters, equipment, and wardrobe donated by artists like Salt-N-Pepa, Run-DMC, Young Jeezy and Common.

Former producer of BET's "Hip-Hop Hall of Fame Awards Show," JT Thompson, will serve as the organizer of the museum's entertainment committee. “People need to understand the importance of hip hop, the elements, the DJs, the B-boys and B-girls and the graffiti writers,” he said in a press release. 

The project itself will cost just about $80 million; $50 million of which was raised through crowd sourcing.

Kenny Snyder, co-chair of the museum's entertainment committee alongside Thompson, expressed hope that the venue will show a positive side to a genre clouted in negativity. “Hip hop got a bad rep,” he said. “With this museum, it’s important to sit on the other side of it.”

Stay tuned to HNHH for another three years as we continue to cover this monument's roll out.