The moment the screen lit up at the MTV Video Music Awards, a lot of people were caught by surprise. Instead of the usual, what appeared was a compelling visual story for a popular song. This particular video, for Kanye West’s song “Fade,” really made an impression, and it was all thanks to someone who wasn't Kanye himself. It was a performer whose presence on screen truly held everyone’s attention.
You see, when the video for “Fade” first appeared at the MTV Video Music Awards, it was a big moment. Kanye West was there, and he had just finished speaking. But then, the video played, and it was clear that someone else was the true focus. This person, Teyana Taylor, really took the spotlight, and many viewers might not have even realized that Kanye wasn't in the video at all. It was, in a way, a very unexpected choice for a music video debut.
This video, which came from Kanye West’s 2016 album, “The Life of Pablo,” created quite a stir. It showed up online not too long after its big premiere event. The visuals were quite something, and the performer at the heart of it all became a major topic of conversation, pretty much right away. It was a moment that, you know, just got people talking.
Table of Contents
- Teyana Taylor's Story - The Star of the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video
- What Happened at the VMAs with the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video?
- Who Directed the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video?
- How Did the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video Get Online?
- What Was Teyana Taylor's Performance Like in the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video?
- The Impact of the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video
- Where Can You See the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video?
- More About the Music Behind the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video
Teyana Taylor's Story - The Star of the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video
The main person in the video for Kanye West's song "Fade" was Teyana Taylor. She really stood out, you know, as the central figure. Her work in the video, which came from Kanye's album, "The Life of Pablo," released in 2016, made a big impression. It’s almost like she carried the whole visual story on her shoulders, and people really took notice of her. She had been known for a while, but this particular appearance really put her in a different kind of light.
Teyana Taylor is a performer who, apparently, has always been praised for her physical condition. People had talked about her well-kept body for some time. But after this video came out, her smaller, well-defined body shape became a big topic for everyone to discuss across the country. It was, in a way, a truly public discussion about her physique and what it represented in the video. She even showed up for a live showing of the video's dance moves after walking in Kanye West's Yeezy Season 4 fashion presentation, which was quite a sight.
She talked about how she felt when she found out she would be in Kanye's video. It was a very big deal for her, and for her family too. The video really highlighted her skills as a dancer and her ability to hold the camera's attention. It's clear that her involvement was a major part of why the video became such a talking point, so you can see why she would be excited. People who saw it really wondered if her performance in the video for "Fade" gave them strong feelings, like a real connection to what she was doing.
Here are some details about Teyana Taylor:
| Hometown | Harlem, New York |
What Happened at the VMAs with the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video?
The video for "Fade" made its first appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards. This was a pretty big event for it. Kanye West was there on that Sunday night, and he had a speech that, well, went on for a while. If you stuck through his words, you were given a pretty special visual treat right after. It was, you know, a reward for staying tuned in. The anticipation was definitely building up, especially after his lengthy address to the audience.
The awards show itself was held in New York, New York, in August of 2016. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were both there for the occasion. It was a night filled with many moments, but this particular video showing was one that really stood out. For once, it wasn't Kanye West's words that were the most talked about thing. Instead, it was the woman who appeared in the video, Teyana Taylor, who captured everyone's thoughts and comments. It was, in some respects, a shift in focus for the evening.
When the performer took the stage at the 2016 event, it was clear that the video was going to be something memorable. The crowd was ready, and the visuals delivered something unexpected. It truly created a buzz, and that buzz continued long after the awards show ended. The way it was introduced, after Kanye's speech, made it feel like a very significant reveal, something people would remember.
Who Directed the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video?
The visual story for "Fade," the one featuring Teyana Taylor, was put together by Eli Linnetz. He was the person behind the camera, shaping how everything looked and felt. His creative vision was what brought the whole thing to life on screen. It was, in a way, a collaboration that really worked out well. The way the video was shot and edited really showed his unique approach to filmmaking, making it very distinct.
Eli Russell Linnetz, as he is also known, was the director credited for this piece. He made choices that made the video stand out, from the way Teyana Taylor moved to the overall atmosphere. His direction helped to make Teyana Taylor's performance so captivating, which is that much more apparent when you watch it. The artistry involved in putting such a compelling visual together is something that truly makes a difference in how a song is perceived.
How Did the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video Get Online?
After its first showing at the MTV Video Music Awards on that Sunday night, the video for Kanye West’s song “Fade” made its way onto the internet not too long after. It was a pretty quick turnaround from the live event to being widely available for everyone to see. This meant that even if you missed the awards show, you could still catch the visual story very soon. It's almost like they wanted to make sure as many people as possible could experience it right away.
Initially, the video was available through Tidal, a music service. This was where many people first got to watch Teyana Taylor's starring role. Later on, the "Fade" video also became available on YouTube, making it even easier for people to find and watch. This wider release really helped it reach a bigger audience, allowing more people to see what all the talk was about. It was, you know, a smart move to get it out there for more viewers.
The quick release online really helped keep the conversation going. People were able to watch it again and again, and share it with others. This helped the video gain a lot of traction and become a widely discussed piece of visual art. It’s pretty clear that making it accessible so soon after its debut was a key part of its impact, so that’s why it spread so quickly.
What Was Teyana Taylor's Performance Like in the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video?
Teyana Taylor’s performance in the "Fade" video was, frankly, quite memorable. She was the absolute center of attention, moving with such energy and grace. Her dance moves were really something to see, and she conveyed a lot of emotion through her body. It made you wonder if her performance truly gave you strong feelings, a sense of connection to the music and the visual story unfolding. She was, you know, just incredible to watch.
The video also featured Iman Shumpert alongside Teyana Taylor, adding another layer to the visual narrative. Teyana Taylor herself even talked about turning into a kind of cat-like figure for Kanye in the video, which was a very unique element. This transformation was part of what made her performance so striking and different. It was a creative choice that really made people remember the video long after they watched it, giving it a somewhat surreal quality.
Her movements were fluid and powerful, showing off her physical abilities. The way she expressed herself through dance was a big reason why the video resonated with so many people. It wasn't just a simple dance; it was a performance that told a story in itself. She really put her whole self into it, and that was very apparent to anyone who watched. It was, like, a masterclass in visual storytelling through movement.
The Impact of the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video
The "Fade" video, starring Teyana Taylor, really made a splash when it came out. It wasn't just another music video; it sparked conversations and got people talking about Teyana Taylor in a big way. Her appearance, especially her physical shape, became a topic of discussion across the nation. It showed how a powerful visual can bring someone into the public eye in a whole new light. This kind of impact is, you know, pretty significant for any artist.
The video also helped to solidify Teyana Taylor's presence as a performer. Before this, some might have known her, but this video put her on a much bigger stage. It showcased her talent for movement and her ability to command attention, which is that much more clear when you watch it. The visual story really highlighted her strengths and made her a household name for many who might not have been familiar with her work before. It was, in a way, a defining moment for her public image.
The discussion around the video went beyond just the music. It touched on themes of body image, performance art, and the power of a single, striking visual to capture the public's imagination. It's almost like the video became a cultural event in itself, rather than just a promotional tool for a song. This kind of widespread discussion is a sign of how deeply something can resonate with people, so it really left a mark.
Where Can You See the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video?
If you're curious to see what all the talk is about, the Kanye West "Fade" video is pretty easy to find these days. After its big debut at the MTV Video Music Awards and its initial availability on Tidal, it soon made its way to other platforms. You can, for instance, find the "Fade" video on YouTube now. This makes it very accessible for anyone who wants to watch Teyana Taylor's standout performance. It’s, you know, just a few clicks away for most people.
Having it on YouTube means it reaches a much wider audience than if it stayed on a subscription service alone. This accessibility has helped it remain a popular and talked-about music video years after its release. It allows new viewers to discover it and old fans to revisit it whenever they like. So, if you haven't seen it yet, or want to watch it again, it's pretty simple to do so. It’s definitely worth a look if you’re interested in the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor video story.
More About the Music Behind the Kanye West and Teyana Taylor Video
The song that the video accompanies, "Fade," comes from Kanye West's 2016 album, "The Life of Pablo." This album was a big release for him, and "Fade" was one of the tracks that really stood out, especially once the video came along. The music itself has a certain feel to it, and the visuals starring Teyana Taylor really brought that feeling to life in a new way. It’s, in a way, a very good example of how music and visuals can work together.
Interestingly, the sound of "Fade" has been compared to house music. This style of music often has a strong beat and a repetitive, almost hypnotic quality. Teyana Taylor also has another song, "Long Time," which takes cues from house music, much like "Fade" does. This shows a connection in musical style between her own work and her collaboration with Kanye West. It’s, you know, a pretty cool link between different projects.
For fans of Kanye West's music, "Fade" fits into a broader collection of his work. People often discuss his albums and songs in various online communities. While "Fade" might not be one of the older, more commonly cited party songs like "Good Life" or "Gold Digger," it definitely has a unique place in his discography, especially because of the video. It's a track that, frankly, showcases a different side of his musical output from that period.
This article looked at the "Fade" music video by Kanye West, focusing on Teyana Taylor's starring role. We talked about its debut at the MTV Video Music Awards, how it became available online, and the impact of Teyana Taylor's performance. We also touched on who directed the video and some details about the music itself. The video was a significant moment for both Kanye West's album and Teyana Taylor's public presence, sparking much discussion.
