Mya Marie Harrison is an American actress, dancer, record producer, singer, and songwriter. Classified as a "triple threat entertainer," she has become a staple in pop cultural zeitgeist for her work in contemporary R&B. Born and raised in Washington D.C., as a child she studied ballet, jazz, and tap dance. She began her career as a television personality and dance posse member, performing on BET's Teen Summit. After developing an interest in music and nurturing her craft, she was discovered by record executive A. Haqq Islam. In April 1998, she released her eponymous debut album, a song cycle which explored romance and coming-of-age scenarios. A critical and commercial success, the album spawned her first Billboard Hot 100 top ten single, "It's All About Me". Her collaborative efforts – "Girls Dem Sugar", "Ghetto Supastar ", and "Take Me There" — were met with concurrent success.
Christopher Alan "Tricky" Stewart is an American record producer, record executive, songwriter, and music publisher. Stewart began producing music in 1992, and has since won five Grammy Awards and is responsible for over 50 million records sold. He is credited on numerous singles and albums which have reached mainstream success, across the genres of hip hop, R&B and pop. Often in tandem with production partner and R&B singer The-Dream, his production work includes Mýa's "Case of the Ex" (2000), Britney Spears' "Me Against the Music" (2003), Rihanna's "Umbrella" (2007), Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine" (2007), Beyoncé's "Single Ladies " (2008), Karina Pasian's "16 @ War" (2008), Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" (2008) and "Obsessed" (2009), Justin Bieber's "One Time" (2009) and "Baby" (2010), and Ciara's "Ride" (2010), among others.
Moodring is the third studio album by American singer Mya, released on July 22, 2003, by A&M and Interscope Records. Before Mya began to work on what would eventually be her third studio album, she participated in prior engagements which would result in the blockbuster success of 2001's "Lady Marmalade", a collaboration for the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack, and a supporting role in the 2002 film Chicago.
Mya is the debut studio album by American singer Mya. It was released by University Music Entertainment and Interscope Records on April 21, 1998, in the United States. Recording of the contemporary R&B album was overseen by University Records CEO A. Haqq Islam after he signed the singer when she was at the age of 15. Production on Mya was primarily handled by Swing Mob member Darryl Pearson with additional contributions from Daryl Simmons, Alex "Cat" Cantrall, Joey Priolo, and Nokio the N-Tity. Guest appearances include Dru Hill frontman Sisqó, and rappers Silkk the Shocker and Missy Elliott.
"(At Your Best) You Are Love" is a song by R&B group the Isley Brothers. It was originally released on their album Harvest for the World. The song was dedicated to their mother, Sally. Although not a single, the song was a radio hit in 1976, and later became a hit for R&B singer Aaliyah in 1994.
"Case of the Ex" is a song by American singer Mýa. It was written and composed by Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and his songwriting partners Traci Hale and Thabiso "Tab" Nkhereanyne for Mýa's second studio album Fear of Flying (2000). The up-tempo pop and R&B track was inspired by a relationship Hale was going through at the time. It was released as the second single from the album, following "The Best of Me", on July 11, 2000.
American singer Mya has released eight studio albums, one mixtape, five extended plays and sixty-one singles. To date, Mya has sold over 20 million records worldwide. For the 2000s decade, Billboard listed her as one of their Hot 100 Artists of 2000s. According to Luminate, Mya has sold over 3.2 million albums in the United States. Additionally, she has sold seven million albums worldwide. As of 2023, the Recording Industry Association of America lists her total certified sales as a solo artists at five million in the United States.
Nikki Flores is an American independent pop singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer.
Planet 9 is an American independent record label founded by American singer Mýa. After parting ways with her major label, Universal Motown and following the advice of her mentor J. Prince, Harrison established and developed her own independent label with a new business approach in mind to create and release music. Following the events of her fourth studio album, Liberation (2007) being mishandled and accidentally leaking on the internet, she was contracted by R&B based Japanese record company, Manhattan Recordings. Through that label, she exclusively release and self-funded, recorded, and engineered her first independent project, Sugar & Spice (2008). Three years later, she exclusively released the follow-up, the dance and club orientated K.I.S.S. (2011) through the same label.
Smoove Jones is the seventh studio album by American singer Mya. It was released exclusively through Apple Music and iTunes on February 14, 2016 by Planet 9, Harrison's label, while physical copies were made available for purchase through the singer's official website. The project commemorates the release of the singer's debut single "It's All About Me" and eighteenth anniversary in the entertainment industry. Musically, Smoove Jones incorporated R&B/soul/hip-hop with old school elements from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Dubbed a concept album, the project exhibited Harrison portraying seductive radio hostess Smoove Jones, an after hours radio show she created specifically for her "grown and sexy" fans. Critically, Smoove Jones received favorable reception from music critics. It debuted at number thirty on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, marking her highest entry since 2003's Moodring. Subsequently, Smoove Jones received a nomination for Best R&B Album at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, which were held on February 12, 2017.
"Ready for Whatever" is a song recorded by American singer Mya. It was written and composed by Kevin McCall, Mya, and Lamar "MyGuyMars" Edwards while production duties was helmed by the latter with additional contribution from Khirye Tyler. A seductive midtempo song, "Ready for Whatever" serves as the lead single from her eighth studio album T.K.O. (2018) and as a intimate request from an unsatisfied lover to her man to make her a priority in his life and refuses to let anyone or anything get in the way of her love. Musically, "Ready for Whatever" is built around tinkling synths, breathy coos and a thick synth bass line which automatically sets the mood to be tantalized and teased. "Ready for Whatever" was released September 22, 2017 on all digital platforms. A music video shot and directed by Mýa features her dancing in blue and purple haze lighting, modeling in a sports car, and hanging out at a skating rink co-starring Kevin McCall as her love interest.
"Team You" is a song recorded by American singer Mya taken from her seventh studio album Smoove Jones (2016). It was written by Damar Beckett, Fred Jenkins and Mýa, while production was helmed by Terence Odige. A throwback to '90s R&B "Team You" was chosen as the second single from Smoove Jones and released December 8, 2015. Upon release, it received mixed to favorable reception from music critics, with some highlighting it a standout track while others referred to "Team You" as mildly "cheesy" with redundant chorus.
"Welcome to My World" is a song recorded by American singer Mya taken from her seventh studio album Smoove Jones (2016). It was written by Damar Beckett, Fred Jenkins, Mýa and Terence "Delivery Boy" Odige, while production was helmed by the latter Terence "Delivery Boy" Odige, Dejan Howerton and Michael Williams. An ode to '90s R&B with live instrumentation, "Welcome to My World" was chosen as the lead single from her then unknown project Smoove Jones and released October 10, 2015. Upon release, it received favorable reception from music critics, with critics highlighting the track as a standout.
"You Got Me" is a song recorded by American singer Mya. It was written by Sydnii Raymor and Mya, while production was helmed by Lamar "Mars" Edwards. A "sexy, sultry" millennial slow jam similar to "Ready for Whatever" (2017), "You Got Me," is a blend of steady drums and sensual synths reminiscent of 90's R&B featuring Harrison's signature breathy coos. Released February 14, 2018, "You Got Me" serves as the third single from TKO and commemorates the twentieth anniversary of her debut single "It's All About Me."
T.K.O. is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Mya. It is the follow-up to her album Smoove Jones (2016) and was released April 20, 2018, on her label Planet 9 to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of her debut album Mya (1998). Recorded between 2015–2016, T.K.O. is solely produced in its entirely by musician and producer Lamar "MyGuyMars" Edwards with additional production from Los Da Mystro, Lyle LeDuff, Hardwerk and Khirye Tyler.
"Knock You Out" is a song recorded by American singer Mya. A collaborative effort, it was written and conceptualized by Mýa and Marsha Ambrosius utilizing boxing references as metaphors throughout the entire song, while production duties was handled by frequent collaborator Lamar "MyGuyMars" Edwards. Musically, a spacey neo soul song, "Knock You Out" is described as an Isley Brothers-indebted bedroom jam with guitar licks and spaced-out vocal harmonies. Released April 13, 2018, "Knock You Out" served as the fifth single from T.K.O. (2018).
"G.M.O. " is a song recorded by American singer Mýa. A collaborative effort, it was written and composed by Mýa, Tink and Lamar "My Guys Mars" Edwards, while production was helmed by the latter as well with additional contribution from producer Resource. Released August 31, 2018, "G.M.O. " is a synth driven and bass heavy midtempo ladies club anthem song and serves as a departure from Harrison's two R&B–rooted studio projects Smoove Jones (2016) and TKO (2018).
"Open" is a song recorded by American singer Mya. Following the visual releases of "With You" and "Down", Mya decided to gift her fans with the solo version of "Open" for their support of her thirteenth studio project. "Open" serves as the sixth single taken from T.K.O. (2018). A trap-influenced R&B midtempo song, it was written by Mýa and Billy Wes with production handled by frequent collaborator MyGuyMars. "Open" was released May 13, 2019.
American recording artist Mya has appeared in fifty-five music videos; thirty-four as a lead artist, twelve as a featured artist and nine as a guest or cameo appearance. With her videogenic charm, right from beginning MTV embraced Mya and her music videos. Cynthia Fuchs of Popmatters noted in the singer's early videos: she wore modest costumes and looked polite, even demure.
"Whine" is a song recorded by American singer Mya featuring Bounty Killer. The track was written by Mavelle Gilbert, Theron Thomas, Matthew Thompson, Rodney Price, and Mya with production helmed by Philip "DJ Hardwerk" Constable. A standalone single, "Whine" – celebrates the singer's landmark 25 years in the music industry – was released August 18, 2023 on her label imprint Planet 9 with distribution via Ingrooves. Preceding the single's release, an accompanying music video followed.
