TEYANA, KANYE BRING THE "ENERGY"

You never truly know what to expect from a Kanye West listening event. A bonfire? A late arrival? 2 Chainz? A herd of wild mustangs? The fifth installment of a series of five consecutive projects produced by Kanye, Teyana Taylor’s Keep That Same Energy was debuted at a 6/21 listening party on the Universal backlot.

There was no bonfire. There was a late arrival. And, of course, 2-Chainz was present. Set in the “New York” area of the backlot in an attempt to replicate the Harlem star’s hometown, the outdoor space offered plenty of room to the party-goers and acted as a waiting area complete with steamy sewers, NYPD cars and a merch truck.

The excitement starts to build as Migos, Teyana, and Meek Mill make their way through the NY streets to chat with friends and peers. But the party starts upon arrival of Mr. and Mrs. West.

Surrounded by a mob of eager Instagrammers and enough security to fill an NBA team, Kanye lead the crowd to a soundstage adjacent to the makeshift NY neighborhood. We all followed, because that’s what you do when Yeezus walks.

As we parade into the soundstage, we encounter massive pillared speakers complimented by vintage Pablo smoke and lighting. There isn’t a proper introduction to the album by anybody, the album just starts as lights go out and red lasers beam.

The G.O.O.D. Music album isn’t the brand of alternative R&B that we’ve been flooded with lately. The production leans toward The Diary of Alicia Keys at times and has the energy of 808s & Heartbreak’s “Paranoid” on one notable up-tempo track. On KTSE, Taylor confidently takes it slow (one song interpolates Sade’s “By Your Side”), raps alongside Ty Dolla $ign and Kanye, and takes over the dance floor.

Also spotted at the event: Steve Rifkind, Kim Kardashian West, Iman Shumpert, G.O.O.D. Music's Ricky Anderson, Lil Kim, Lala, Benny Blanco, Francis and the Lights, Desiigner