William Madison Taylor III (born March 29, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as a contestant from MTV's Making the Band 4, where he was chosen by Sean "Diddy" Combs to be a member and one of the main vocalists of the band Day26 on August 26, 2007.[1]
Willie Taylor | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | William Madison Taylor III |
| Born | March 29, 1981 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, hip hop |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Noviak |
Early life
editTaylor was a member of the Chicago-based group Kwiet Storm. Their music video, "Leave Me Alone", appeared on BET's Midnight Love, Cita's World, Hits from the Street, and as a New Joint of the Day on 106 & Park.[2] After ten years with Kwiet Storm, Taylor left to start a solo career.
Taylor has worked with well-known artists such as Avant (with whom he co-wrote two songs on Director: "So Many Ways" and "With You"), Ginuwine, Jagged Edge, and Joe.[3]
Career
editMaking the Band 4 and Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood
editAfter leaving "Kwiet Storm" Taylor began a solo career, putting his first album on hold to audition for Making the Band 4. The second season of Making the Band 4 revolved around Day26, Danity Kane, and Donnie Klang competing to see who can make a better album. In the season finale Diddy announced that Making the Band 4 would have another season. This time, it would revolve around Danity Kane, Day26, and Donnie Klang touring. He premiered the video for his new single "Sex Conversation" from his mixtape Sex Tape. A new Day26 album titled Forever in a Day was released in April 2009. He is also the CEO of Noivak Music Group.
On September 7, 2015, Taylor, his wife Lashanda and two children were featured on the second season of the VH1 spin-off show Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood.
On June 8, 2023, Taylor also costarred in the suspense thriller The Stepmother 3 starring Erica Mena and Marques Houston, which is produced by Chris Stokes.
Discography
editWith Kwiet Storm
edit- 2004: In The Mist Of The Storm
Solo album
edit- 2006: On My Way
Solo Projects
edit- 2010: Sextape
- 2012: The Re-Introduction of Willie Taylor
- 2014: "Sextape 2"
Singles
edit- "What I Need" (2006)
- "Sweat" (2006)
- "Pushin Beauty" (2006)
- "Sex Conversation" (2010)
- "Blast Off" (2014)
- "Though I Knew Myself" (2015)
- "Jackpot" (2016)
Guest appearances
edit| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "My Angel" | 2012 | Prodigy | H.N.I.C. 3 |
| "Letter To Fans" | 2014 | Jeremih | N.O.M.A. (Not On My Album) |
| "No Beginner" | Syleena Johnson | Chapter 6: Couples Therapy |
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | David E. Talbert Presents: A Fool and His Money | Daryl | Video |
| Note to Self | Jameel 'Goody' Goodloe | ||
| 2015 | Couples Therapy | David Goode | |
| Angry Insecure Men 2 | Alexx | ||
| 2017 | Chocolate City: Vegas Strip | Pretty Boy | |
| 2018 | Kinky | Ramone | |
| Aim | Aiden | ||
| Gangland: The Musical | Jamal | ||
| 2019 | Sacrifice | Lewis | TV movie |
| 2021 | Never and Again | Terry Matthews | |
| 2022 | Chocolate City 3: Live Tour | Pretty Boy | |
| Poison Candy | Himself | ||
| 2023 | 3rd Degree | Deon Mays Jr. |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-09 | Making the Band 4 | Himself | Main Cast |
| 2015-19 | Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood | Himself | Recurring Cast: Season 2-3, Guest: Season 6 |
References
edit- ^ Jeffries, David. "Biography: Day26". Allmusic. Retrieved 22 October 2010.
- ^ John, Jason (August 16, 2016). "Willie Taylor And Shanda Denyce Love And Hip Hop Hollywood". Empire BBK. Archived from the original on 20 March 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
- ^ Vedral, Valerie (August 24, 2007). "Chicago singer so close to 'Making the Band'". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 20 March 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2021. Alt URL