This 18-track album expertly captures the visual shock value of the Horrorcore scene of the late ’90s, but with a more cohesive identity.
When I say “American Horror Story,” what comes to mind? Do you think of the TV show, haunted houses, evil nuns, or killer clowns?
I think about how living in America can feel like a horror story itself, constantly surrounded by death, violence, and injustice. It can sometimes feel like understanding the world’s realities borders on psychosis, it can make you angry beyond reason.
Seems I’m not the only one, as TezaTalk’s new album “Black Girl American Horror Story” proves.
A Haunting at Neumos
Thursday, 10/10, Neumos was a haunted house. Black-clad goths of all ages, races, and sizes gathered. Some sported fake blood, devil horns, heavy makeup, and there was even fake spiderwebs hanging from the ceiling. It was a stunning display of the Black goth and alternative fashion and community — a rare sight in Seattle where goth spaces are few, and Black goth spaces even fewer.
Opening the show was London-born artist Mauvey. His stage presence was as magnetic as any British punk lead from the 1970s, mixed with the swagger of a West Coast rapper. His music, what he calls an afro-fusion of pop, hip-hop, alternative, and electronic genres, was playful, flirty, gritty, and full of lyrical reflections on living in a violent and racist world.
Following him was the local powerhouse Qreepz, who describes his sound as “Witch-Hop.” It’s an apt description of his blend of metal, hip-hop, and electronic music that conjures the arcane vibe of the grimiest rave you can imagine — a rave where, at the end, someone might just get sacrificed by the cloaked figures on stage.
Black Girl American Horror Story
After four years in the making, “Black Girl American Horror Story” by TezaTalks has dropped. Her unique sound doesn’t fit squarely within any one genre — a mix of electronic pop, rap, nu-metal, and pop-punk she describes as “Hardcore Pop.” The album ranges from rapid-fire rap bars to operatic Italian melodies. Her range is expansive, and it all still flows together sonically.
There’s no one like TezaTalks out there right now.
The album’s bold storytelling spans from the opening track, “THE HORROR”, to the final track, “COPS,” on this impressive 18-track album. This is an achievement even for veteran artists.
The second track, “ELVIRA,” is a grungy rap bop paying homage to classic horror films with lines like, “I’m the reason why your parents told you to be scared. Nosferatu when I’m steppin,” and, “Bitch I’m Elvira. Black on everything, my skin is viral.”
Track four, “STOPIT!!,” showcases rapid-fire lyrics against a backdrop of distorted electric guitars and haunting samples. Track eight, “MONSTER STRUT,” is a vogue anthem for the spookiest ghouls and gays, while track nine, “WEIRDO,” features a haunting violin solo by Kiril Polyanskiy, turning the song into a Transylvanian siren call. “THE REVENGE” is a melodic and raw track reminiscent of something from SZA’s “SOS” album, highlighting Teza’s vulnerability throughout her beautiful vocals. The next track, “HOLD MY HAND,” featuring Jordan Rogers, shares a similar emotional depth.
Track 17, “PERLA NERA,” (Italian for “black pearl”) is an ethereal aria, showcasing Teza’s skill and tenderness. It’s hard to believe it’s the same artist who declared, “I’m a good girl, but I’m bad as fuck” on the previous track, “GOODGIRL.” That’s what we call RANGE.
The final track, “COPS,” is a piano-led reflection on the horrors of being Black in America and a young Black girl’s relationship to this harsh reality. This track is a gut-wrenching end to a solid body of work that captures the terror of living in America. Teza has the staggering ability to transmit her emotions on every line, the pain, the anger, the fear, it’s all there.
The album harks back to the Horrorcore scene of the late ’90s, with bands like Gravediggaz, Insane Clown Posse, and Three 6 Mafia. This genre never quite reached the mainstream, with its themes of murder, satanism, and horror movie samples, making these bands more infamous than famous. “Black Girl American Horror Story” captures the visual shock value of that era but with a more cohesive identity. The dark elements aren’t just for show; they’re integral to the music’s coherence.
While chatting with Teza at a listening party, we discussed how her influences for the album include Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” and how real-life horror is experienced through a distinctly Black lens. Teza admires Peele’s ability to build tension through narrative pacing, something she aimed to replicate in her album. Each song is placed next to the one that builds up the album to its ultimate crescendo.
Another inspiration was the black pearl — a rare gem created under immense pressure inside a clamshell. Though the process is difficult, the result is something beautiful. If I were to describe Teza, it would be like a black pearl — rare, precious, beautiful, and built strong through adversity.
Teza shines as brightly as any undersea gemstone. captivating, and elegant with a unique vision, passion, and presence. Much like when the right elements come together to create a black pearl, we should all treasure it.
I can’t recommend “Black Girl American Horror Story” enough. If you like your rap heavy, still carry a bit of emo spirit, love Halloween, or just want to rock out to a killer album you can play on repeat, this is the one for you.
