Mýa and Her Love for the Stage
Photo Courtesy of Universal Music Group
“Lady Marmalade.” “It’s All About Me.” “Case Of The Ex.” “My Love is Like…Wo.” “Girls Dem Sugar.”
If any of these song titles seem familiar to you, it might be because you’ve heard Grammy-award-winning Mýa singing them. Mýa’s music transcends genre boundaries, and she can be considered an R&B, pop and hip-hop princess. Her illustrious career includes selling over seven million albums worldwide, four headline tours, legendary collabs with chart-topping JAY-Z, Christiana Aguilera and Sean Paul, contributions to over 40 films and television shows and the founding of Planet 9, her very own independent record label in 2008.
To say that Mýa is a force to be reckoned with would be a severe understatement. In honor of the 25th anniversary of Mýa’s self-titled debut album, the superstar released a deluxe version on April 28 so that new and forever fans could relive the nostalgia her tracks evoke.
She also sat down for an exciting press conference with Universal Music Group and a handful of music publications across the world. And lucky for me, I got an inside seat. The D.C. native greeted us with a friendly face and wise demeanor and wasted no time dropping her extensive knowledge of the ins and outs of the music industry.
From the business of royalties to self-love, Mýa humbly shared her advice for any aspiring creative. “Whatever it is that anyone would like to pursue, they should follow that joy. Because if they can do it for free–and you will be doing it for free–before you see the return of investment coming in, you’re enabled to go for lengths and years. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.”
As questions continued to be asked, Mýa provided more details about her upbringing and how it influenced her relationship with the arts. “Going to a multicultural school taught me that the world is built with so many different types of people and art forms. Hearing everything from classical to jazz music, there were so many things I was exposed to. And so, I’m sort of a melting pot myself.”
On the call, Mýa told a plethora of origin stories, but as a dancer myself, I have always been most impressed by her intersectionality with dance and singing. Not only does she have a memorable, sultry voice, but the multi-faceted performer is a ridiculously talented dancer and choreographer. So I had to ask: how did it all come together?
When she first started getting into the industry, Mýa said she was a teacher for rhythm tap and hip-hop. “Before I even knew what a recording artist was, part of my dream was to go to Broadway after college and pursue theater. I was inspired by the triple threats of the world, the acting, composing, the singing, the dancing,” she explained.
Dance and rhythm have been intrinsic to the shaping and development of Mýa’s musicianship in terms of music videos and live performances. It has always been on-stage entertainment that Mýa most adores. In the future, she wishes to share more of this love with the world.
“We have some magic in the dance space that I actually surprised myself on, coming very soon for you,” Mýa beamed. “Dance is cultural. All over the world we get together and dance with music and the arts, and we celebrate each other. There is always joy and happiness attached to that. I love it. The crowds love it. And it’s time for me to turn it up a notch.”