‘Escape Room’ Is Teyana Taylor’s First Studio Album to Debut Outside the Billboard 200’s Top 20

Despite its star-studded tracklist that featured big names like Kerry Washington, Regina King, Issa Rae, Jill Scott, Tyla, Taraji P. Henson, and more, the updated Billboard 200’s top 40 did not make room for Teyana Taylor‘s latest album ‘Escape Room.’

Released August 22, ‘Escape’ opened on this week’s Billboard 200 at #67.

Here are the numbers that powered its placement.

Teyana Taylor’s ‘Escape Room’

First-Week Sales (SPS):  14,500 units

Billboard 200 Debut:  #67

The follow-up to 2020’s ‘The Album,’ ‘Escape’ was accompanied by a short film starring Taylor’s real-life boyfriend Aaron Pierre.

“’Escape Room’ isn’t just a film or an album, it’s a world I built to live in, bleed in, and heal in,” Teyana said of the project ahead of its release. “I poured my heart into every layer, from the story to the sound, to capture that journey we all take through the shadows of heartbreak, whether that’s love lost, friendships broken, dreams deferred and guide you toward the lightness of healing.”

Tough competition from the likes of Laufey, BigXThaPlug, Offset, Ciara, and others on the jam-packed Friday of its release left Taylor’s latest to land in the #67 position.

Marking a personal milestone for the GRAMMY nominee, ‘Escape’ not only comes as the lowest premiere position of any of her studio efforts but also her first to miss the all-genre chart’s top quadrant upon arrival.

Her previous efforts – ‘VII‘ (#19), ‘K.T.S.E.‘ (#17), and ‘The Album’ (#8) – all debuted in the top 20.

On R&B charts, however, ‘Escape’ opened at #6 and came as her fourth consecutive top 10 on that tally.