After five years away from music, Harlem-born artist, actress, and auteur Teyana Taylor makes a dynamic return with her brand-new single and music video, “Long Time,” released today via Def Jam Recordings. The track offers the first immersive glimpse into her forthcoming album and short film, Escape Room, set to debut in August 2025.
Fans can listen and watch below, which blend glitchy visuals and futuristic R&B sonics with Taylor’s signature edge.
A New Chapter in R&B Storytelling
“Long Time” is not just another breakup anthem. With a pulsating, glitch-infused bassline and dreamy synth textures, the track pushes the boundaries of modern R&B. Through emotionally raw lyrics, Taylor captures the painful realization of a love that has overstayed its welcome: “The truth is it didn’t end when it was over…Baby, it’s been over a long time.”
This release marks a bold evolution for Taylor as both a musician and a visual storyteller.
Escape Room: A Futuristic Short Film Meets Album
Last week, Taylor dropped the trailer for Escape Room, which has already amassed nearly 10 million views and quickly began trending on X/Twitter. The project blends genres—post-apocalyptic sci-fi, noir, and romance—wrapped in Taylor’s unique creative vision.
More than just the star of the film, Teyana also wrote, directed, and produced Escape Room through her all-female production company, The Aunties. The film and accompanying album explore themes of heartbreak, transformation, and healing—highlighting everything from personal loss and toxic friendships to self-discovery and liberation.
A Return to Music, a Rise in Film
Teyana Taylor has spent the last five years pivoting from music to film and television—and with great success. Her upcoming projects include:
- Straw directed by Tyler Perry, streaming June 6 on Netflix
- One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Benicio Del Toro, in theaters September 26
- The Rip, directed by Joe Carnahan, co-starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, coming soon to Netflix
- A new role in Ryan Murphy’s All’s Fair, alongside Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Glenn Close, and Sarah Paulson
Creative Direction at Its Finest
Through The Aunties, Taylor continues to shape culture behind the scenes. She’s worked as a creative director for Victoria’s Secret, Jordan Brand, and top artists like Summer Walker, Latto, Lil Baby, Glorilla, and Skilla Baby. Her production company has also directed content for Old Spice, Macy Gray, Bryson Tiller, Coco Jones, Neyo, and more.
Teyana Taylor’s “Long Time” and Escape Room are not just a comeback—they’re a creative renaissance.
From soundscapes to cinema, she’s redefining the way we experience music and storytelling.
