Multi-talented entertainer Teyana Taylor recently made some headlines when photos of her and possible new boo thang Aaron “That’s Mufasa” Pierre began making headlines. I was deciding what to feature this week for Second Listen Sunday. Recently, Ms. Taylor has been stacking up her credentials from an acting standpoint, but I decided to feature her 2015 EP, “The Cassette Tape 1994,” this week.
Arriving on streaming platforms on August 25, 2015, the project was a tribute to Taylor’s era of ’90s R&B, seamlessly blending classic influences with her sultry, modern touch. Following Taylor’s 2014 debut album, VII, this five-track EP finds Taylor fully embracing her love for the decade’s signature sound, incorporating samples from some of its most iconic hits.
Taylor sets the tone immediately with “Your Wish,” a Domo & Kanye West-produced intro that samples B.B. & Q. Band’s “Genie,” signaling the EP’s deep-rooted homage to the past. She then delivers “Tonight,” built around Tony! Toni! Toné! ‘s timeless 1993 hit “Anniversary,” offers a smooth, sensual reinterpretation. On “Undercover,” she flips Bell Biv DeVoe’s 1990 classic “Poison” into a fresh yet familiar groove, proving her ability to reimagine without losing the essence of the original.
One of the standout moments comes with “Who’s Gonna Make It Home,” where she tapped her then-boyfriend, Iman Shumpert, for a guest appearance. The track reworks “KP & Envyi’s 1997 jam “Swing My Way,” adding a contemporary twist while keeping the song’s infectious energy.
“The Cassette Tape 1994” is more than just a collection of songs and interpolations; it’s a love letter to the music that shaped Taylor’s artistry. Her velvety vocals, crisp production, and an apparent reverence for R&B make this EP a short but satisfying journey through nostalgia. It proves that Taylor understands the genre’s legacy and is committed to keeping its spirit alive.
Final Grade: B+
“The Cassette Tape 1994” is available on all streaming platforms.
Academy Award nominee Peter Craig collaborates with fellow nominee Ridley Scott to adapt Dennis Tafoya’s novel Dope Thief for television. Airing on Apple TV, this eight-episode series stars Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry in the lead role and also features Wagner Moura, Marin Ireland, Kate Mulgrew, Nesta Cooper, Amir Arison, and Ving Rhames.
Modern-day horror auteur Scott Derrickson stays in the genre for his latest “The Gorge” from Apple TV. Zach Dean pens the film’s screenplay, which was voted onto the Black List as one of the most-liked unproduced screenplays in 2020.
The late esteemed producer Norman Lear has collaborated with Prime Video to present one of his final productions, the series “Clean Slate.” Developed by Dan Ewan, this series is set in Alabama and comprises eight episodes, each lasting thirty minutes.