Teyana Taylor's first brush with fame came about when she helped choreograph the music video of Beyoncé's hit "Ring the Alarm". After the success, she was then introduced to the national public on MTV's My Super Sweet 16 in 2007. Producer Pharrell Williams signed Taylor to Star Trak Entertainment in 2007. She appeared in Jay-Z's "Blue Magic" music video in October 2007 and her debut single, "Google Me", was released by Star Trak in February 2008. As well as this, she features on the track "Teach Me How To Dougie" by Cali Swag District, which reached #91 in the US Top 100 Billboard, back in June 2010. Taylor's planned debut album was called From a Planet Called Harlem.
She is a member of a band called U.G.L.Y. along with band mates Mijo, Braxton and Ethan. A snippet of U.G.L.Y.'s single "Wasted" was released early 2010. No further releases from the band have since been mentioned. Taylor has also ventured into acting. She has appeared in the sequel of the 2007 hit film Stomp the Yard, titled Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming, which was released August 2010. She has also made an appearance on the debut episode of House of Glam on Oxygen.
Rose in Harlem
Teyana Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A rose in Harlem, a rose in Harlem
Been through more than a lil' bit
Been through more than a lil' bit
But I ain't callin' no names out
No, no free promotion
Naw, naw I ain't late, I don't do due dates
That's just how I was raised
Had to get it out the soil
I been down, I been loyal
When you really hold it down
Niggas ain't even really down for ya
Oh no, what a shame
Ten years in the game
Niggas like "You ain't hot? You ain't pop yet?
What's up wit' you and Ye?"
(A rose in Harlem) Grew out the concrete
(A rose in Harlem) You know it ain't sweet
(A rose in Harlem) Can't tell me any any any anything
It be the ones who say they ride for you
It be the ones, the ones you love, them too
It be the ones who swear they real, not true
It be them ones, it be them ones
Don't get caught up
It be the ones, the ones you closest too
It be the ones, the ones you trust, them too
It be the ones, the ones you look up to
It be the ones
Don't get caught up, young girl
(A rose in Harlem) Grew out the concrete
(A rose in Harlem) You know it ain't sweet
(A rose in Harlem) Can't tell me any any any anything
Been through more than a lil' bit
Been through more than a lil' bit
But I ain't callin' no names out
No, no free promotions
If it ain't 'bout blessings
I can't even address it
I just bought my third house
No album out and I got 'em asking
"What do she do?" I do everything
I move everything
Put that on my wedding ring
Put that on my baby name
All these fake smiles
These chicks must just came from a dentist
I can tell it ain't genuine
I get so offended
(A rose in Harlem) Grew out the concrete
(A rose in Harlem) You know it ain't sweet
(A rose in Harlem) Can't tell me any any any anything
It be the ones who say they ride for you
It be the ones, the ones you love, them too
It be the ones who swear they real, not true
It be them ones, it be them ones
Don't get caught up
It be the ones, the ones you closest too
It be the ones, the ones you trust, them too
It be the ones, the ones you look up to
It be the ones
It be the ones who say they ride for you
It be the ones, the ones you love, them too
It be the ones who swear they real, not true
It be them ones, it be them ones
Don't get caught up
It be the ones, the ones you closest too
It be the ones, the ones you trust, them too
It be the ones, the ones you look up to
It be the ones
Don't get caught up, young girl
A rose in Harlem, a rose in Harlem
A rose in Harlem, a rose in Harlem
Don't get caught up, young girl
In Teyana Taylor's song "Rose In Harlem," the artist reflects on her experiences in the music industry and the challenges she has faced. The rose in Harlem serves as a metaphor for Taylor's resilience and strength despite growing up in a rough environment. The repeated phrase emphasizes the importance of finding beauty and hope in unexpected places.
The lyrics reveal that Taylor has been through a lot, but she refuses to call out those who have betrayed her. Instead, she focuses on her own path and the hard work it takes to succeed. She expresses disappointment and frustration with those who claim to be loyal but are actually fake and not supportive. Taylor warns young women not to get caught up in the false promises of people who may not have their best interests at heart.
Overall, "Rose In Harlem" is a powerful message of self-reliance and resilience in the face of adversity. With its potent lyrics and catchy melody, the song has become an anthem for people who have struggled to overcome obstacles and find their own paths to success.
Line by Line Meaning
A rose in Harlem, a rose in Harlem
Despite the rough environment of Harlem, I have managed to thrive and grow like a rose.
Been through more than a lil' bit
I have faced many challenges and overcome them.
But I ain't callin' no names out
I refuse to engage in petty drama by calling out specific people.
No, no free promotion
I won't give anyone free publicity, especially those who have wronged me.
Naw, naw I ain't late, I don't do due dates
I don't conform to society's expectations or deadlines.
No sneak diss, no sneak shit
I don't engage in indirect insults or shady behavior.
That's just how I was raised
My upbringing instilled in me a sense of honesty and integrity.
Had to get it out the soil
Like a plant that needed to grow out of the ground, I had to work hard to achieve success.
I been down, I been loyal
I have remained faithful and committed through difficult times.
When you really hold it down /Niggas ain't even really down for ya
Despite my loyalty, some people still turn out to be fake and unreliable.
Oh no, what a shame / Ten years in the game
It's disappointing that after being in the industry for a decade, some people still doubt me or underestimate my talent.
Niggas like "You ain't hot? You ain't pop yet? / What's up wit' you and Ye?"
People question my success and my relationship with Kanye West.
(A rose in Harlem) Grew out the concrete / (A rose in Harlem) You know it ain't sweet / (A rose in Harlem) Can't tell me any any any anything
Once again, despite the harsh conditions of Harlem, I have blossomed and achieved success. I won't let anyone deny or underestimate me.
It be the ones who say they ride for you / It be the ones, the ones you love, them too / It be the ones who swear they real, not true / It be them ones, it be them ones / Don't get caught up
Sadly, the people who claim to support and love you are oftentimes the ones who betray you. Don't let yourself get caught up in their lies and deceit.
It be the ones, the ones you closest too / It be the ones, the ones you trust, them too / It be the ones, the ones you look up to / It be the ones
Again, the people closest to you are the ones who can hurt you the most. It's important to be wary and cautious of their intentions.
If it ain't 'bout blessings / I can't even address it
I won't give negativity or drama any attention or energy. Only positive things are worth my time.
I just bought my third house / No album out and I got 'em asking / "What do she do?" I do everything / I move everything / Put that on my wedding ring / Put that on my baby name
Despite not having released an album recently, I am still successful and thriving financially. I am able to do anything I set my mind to, and I am proud of my accomplishments.
All these fake smiles / These chicks must just came from a dentist / I can tell it ain't genuine / I get so offended
I can see through the fake behavior and insincere gestures of others. It frustrates and upsets me when people are not genuine.
Don't get caught up, young girl
Once again, I implore young girls to be cautious of those around them and not caught up in negative or harmful situations.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brittany Coney, Denisia Andrews, Evan Mast, George David Weiss, Hugo Peretti, Jahmal Gwynn, Kanye West, Luigi Creatore, Mike Dean, Noah D. Goldstein, Teyana Meshay Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheKariiane
A rose in Harlem, a rose in Harlem
A rose in Harlem, a rose in Harlem
Been through more than a lil' bit
Been through more than a lil' bit
But I ain't callin' no names out
No, no free promotion
Naw, naw I ain't late, I don't do due dates
No sneak diss, no sneak shit
That's just how I was raised
Had to get it out the soil
I been down, I been loyal
When you really hold it down
Niggas ain't even really down for ya
Oh no, what a shame
Ten years in the game
Niggas like "You ain't hot? You ain't pop yet?
What's up wit' you and Ye?"
Grew out the concrete
(A rose in Harlem) You know it ain't sweet
(A rose in Harlem) Can't tell me any any any anything
It be the ones who say they ride for you
It be the ones, the ones you love, them too
It be the ones who swear they real, not true
It be them ones, it be them ones
Don't get caught up
It be the ones, the ones you closest too
It be the ones, the ones you trust, them too
It be the ones, the ones you look up to
It be the ones
Don't get caught up, young girl
Grew out the concrete
(A rose in Harlem) You know it ain't sweet
(A rose in Harlem) Can't tell me any any any anything
Been through more than a lil' bit
Been through more than a lil' bit
But I ain't callin' no names out
No, no free promotions
If it ain't 'bout blessings
I can't even address it
I just bought my third house
No album out and I got 'em asking
"What do she do?" I do everything
I move everything
Put that on my wedding ring
Put that on my baby name
All these fake smiles
These chicks must just came from a dentist
I can tell it ain't genuine
I get so offended
Grew out the concrete
(A rose in Harlem) You know it ain't sweet
(A rose in Harlem) Can't tell me any any any anything
It be the ones who say they ride for you
It be the ones, the ones you love, them too
It be the ones who swear they real, not true
It be them ones, it be them ones
Don't get caught up
It be the ones, the ones you closest too
It be the ones, the ones you trust, them too
It be the ones, the ones you look up to
It be the ones
It be the ones who say they ride for you
It be the ones, the ones you love, them too
It be the ones who swear they real, not true
It be them ones, it be them ones
Don't get caught up
It be the ones, the ones you closest too
It be the ones, the ones you trust, them too
It be the ones, the ones you look up to
It be the ones
Don't get caught up, young girl
A rose in Harlem, a rose in Harlem
A rose in Harlem, a rose in Harlem
Don't get caught up, young girl
@Ohhveraa
This album is so underrated. Loveeee this song ❤️
@stnicslink9144
Rs...this was my favorite of those Kanye produced albums this year
@humblebragger500
Kanye hate interference. This is my fav rnb album this year. Kanye really did his thing with the production and and teyana nailed it.
@KurtisLeeSinger
OhhVeraa one of the best albums this year and my fave album by her.
Kanye did the damn thing on the production and she sounds amazing love her tone!
@phelisayolelo8446
Beautiful album indeed! 💝 Kanye hate clouded judgement I guess...
@kwasirj9531
the best album out of the ones kanye has done recently
@KO-D00M
The beat, the hook, everything. Teyana, girl so dope / authentic
@instantchildbirth2746
Thank you Kanye 🙏
@GoOdie2x
Song is cold
@humblegrind8
The album is a lowkey classic. This needs some Grammy noms. We need them extra songs in a deluxe edition.