In her newest project, Teyana Taylor returns to the music spotlight not just as a singer, but as a visual auteur. With her video for “Long Time”, the Harlem-born multi-hyphenate proves once again that storytelling is her superpower—melding heartbreak, liberation, and sultry visual mastery into a cinematic moment that resonates across age and culture.
Directed under her creative alias Spike-Tey, the “Long Time” visual is part of her much-anticipated audio-visual album Escape Room, a project that marks her return to music after stepping away in 2020. More than a breakup anthem, “Long Time” is an emotionally charged narrative about self-worth, healing, and the kind of love that either breaks you or saves you.
Visual Poetry: Breaking Up in Style
Teyana Taylor’s directorial prowess takes center stage in “Long Time”. The visual opens on a melancholic note—her character caught in the emotional wreckage of a collapsing relationship with actor LaKeith Stanfield, who portrays her toxic partner. What follows is a moving transformation arc.
Enter Aaron Pierre, whose arrival is a visual metaphor for safe, healing love. In a breathtaking moment, Taylor’s character is seen unconscious, and Pierre gently lifts her—a literal and symbolic gesture of being carried out of emotional despair.
Visual Highlights:
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Symbolic Lifting Scene: Aaron Pierre cradles Taylor in an iconic tableau, reflecting emotional rebirth.
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Muted Palette & Dramatic Lighting: The use of soft shadows and warm filters underscores the shift from emotional chaos to clarity.
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Costuming & Movement: Fluid, expressive choreography reveals the inner conflict of heartbreak while maintaining sensuality and elegance.
A Masterclass in Artistic Collaboration
While Teyana’s presence is front and center, “Long Time” thrives on the strength of its collaborators. The visual features voiceover monologues by a who’s who of modern Black excellence in Hollywood. These spoken-word interludes ground the piece in emotional truth and universal experience.
Monologue Contributors Include:
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Taraji P. Henson
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Sarah Paulson
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Issa Rae
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Kerry Washington
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Regina King
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Lala Anthony
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Jodie Turner-Smith
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Rue Rose & Junie Shumpert (Teyana’s daughters)
These voices do not merely narrate—they witness. Each monologue adds layers of pain, clarity, and wisdom, making the video feel like an open therapy session set to music.
From Pain to Power: The Escape Room Theme
The “Long Time” visual sets the tone for Teyana Taylor’s upcoming album Escape Room. Inspired by her real-life emotional journey, this project uses metaphorical storytelling to depict the struggle of being “trapped” in toxic love and finally finding a way out.
Key Creative Team:
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Director & Writer: Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor
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Writer & Executive Creative Producer: Courtney “Coco” Gilbert
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Executive Producers: Teyana Taylor, Courtney Gilbert, Paul Thomas Anderson, Missy Elliott, Kyle Nolan
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Production Companies: The Aunties Production & STURDY
The album and film are positioned as both a personal catharsis and a cultural statement. Through Escape Room, Taylor addresses emotional manipulation, love addiction, and how reclaiming your voice can be both terrifying and triumphant.
Love On and Off Screen
Much buzz has surrounded the casting of Aaron Pierre, who stars alongside Teyana not just onscreen, but potentially offscreen as well. Their chemistry is palpable—whether it’s their lingering eye contact, intertwined movements, or intimate silences. Rumors of a real-life relationship have fueled interest in the visual, adding a layer of intrigue and authenticity to their onscreen dynamic.
According to sources:
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The two have appeared together at multiple red carpet events in 2025.
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Taylor reportedly handpicked Pierre for the role, citing “his emotional intelligence and quiet strength.”
Their pairing brings depth to “Long Time”—a story of what happens after toxicity, when someone finally sees you for who you are.
Conclusion: A Visual Rebirth
“Long Time” is more than a music video—it’s a declaration. Teyana Taylor has returned, not just to music, but to storytelling that stirs the soul. She’s not chasing trends; she’s shaping culture. With a directorial eye sharpened by experience, and a voice amplified by pain turned to purpose, Taylor is proving that vulnerability can be revolutionary.
Her message is clear: sometimes love means letting go, and freedom looks like healing in your own frame.
Stay tuned for the release of Escape Room, a bold new chapter in Teyana Taylor’s unstoppable evolution.
Report Lela Christine
