Mya Marie Harrison is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, and actress. Classified as a "triple threat entertainer," she was born in Washington D.C. and studied ballet, jazz, and tap dance as a child. Her career began in television as a dance posse member, performing on BET's Teen Summit. She signed with record executive A. Haqq Islam's University Records, an imprint of Interscope Records to release her eponymous debut studio album (1998), which lyrically explored romance and coming-of-age scenarios. Met with critical and commercial success, the album was led by her first single, "It's All About Me", which peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. Her collaborative singles — "Girls Dem Sugar", "Ghetto Supastar ", and "Take Me There" — were also met with commercial success.
Full Surface is a record label founded in 2001, by American hip hop recording artist and record producer Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean. With the help of his protégé, Cassidy, who was the 1st artist signed, the label was established. The label used to operate through Sony's J and through Universal's Interscope, Motown and Universal Motown. However, the label also had released material through joint ventures with other companies outside the Sony BMG group.
"Ayo!" is a song by American singer Mýa. It was written and composed by Mýa, DJ Kool and Christopher “Deep” Henderson and initially recorded for her fourth studio album Liberation (2007). Production on the track was helmed by Henderson, while Kool is having featured vocals. The song is built upon on an of interpolation from the composition "He's the Wizard" by American jazz singer Thelma Carpenter. Due to the inclusion of the sample, Charlie Smalls is also credited as a songwriter.
Fear of Flying is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Mya, released on April 25, 2000, by University Music Entertainment and Interscope Records. Following the success of her debut album Mya (1998), Interscope promptly allocated the singer studio time and assembled recording sessions beginning as early as September 1999 which concluded in March 2000. For this record, Mya made the conscious decision to become involved more creatively, opting to pen her own lyrics after securing a publishing deal to launch her own publishing company as well as collaborate with a wider range of established producers and songwriters on the album. Looking to embrace a more mature sound, Harrison consulted and collaborated with a bevy of producers which included Rodney Jerkins, Swizz Beatz, Wyclef Jean, Knobody, Robin Thicke, Tricky Stewart, and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.
Liberation is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Mya. It was intended to be Harrison's debut release with her then new record label Universal Motown following her departure from Interscope in 2005. Before leaving, she had begun work on an album for Interscope called Control Freak set for a summer release 2005 with production by a host of other producers. Ultimately, she decided to leave A&M and Interscope Records and her management; subsequently Harrison made the transition within Universal Music Group to Universal Motown.
"Lock U Down" is a song by American singer Mýa on her fourth studio album Liberation (2007). It was written by Harrison along with Jason Boyd, Dwayne Carter, and Scott Storch, with production handled by the latter, and featured Young Money rapper Lil Wayne. The song was released as the album's official leading single after "Ayo!" failed to find success on the charts or at radio and eventually deemed a promotional single only. The lyrics of the R&B-collaboration speak of a woman locking her man down when she has found the right one.
American singer Mya has released eight studio albums, one mixtape, five extended plays and sixty-two 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.
"The Best of Me" is a song by American singer Mýa. It served as Harrison's first single from her second studio album Fear of Flying (2000) and featured Yonkers rapper Jadakiss. The song was written and composed by the latter and Harrison along with Teron Beal, Jimmy Cozier, Swizz Beatz and Mashonda Tifrere. Lyrically, "The Best of Me," a street savvy anthem addresses a woman holding off being intimate or physical with a guy.
"Ridin'" is a song by American singer Mya. It was written and composed by Mýa, Ester Dean, Jevon Simms, Traci Hale and Tricky Stewart for her fourth studio album Liberation (2007), with the latter serving as producer. The lyric of the R&B song is based on a personal experience Mýa endured in a relationship at one point in time when she suspected her ex-boyfriend of cheating, finding herself at her lowest point, while chasing him and his affair.
Beauty & the Streets Vol. 1 is the debut mixtape by American singer Mya. It is her first mixtape to be released by Young Empire Music Group with distribution from Fontana Distribution on September 29, 2009. The project came to surface when Harrison felt as though she had abandoned her U.S. fan base and wanted to release music for them. The mixtape served as Harrison's second independently released project on her own label imprint Planet 9 and was created to serve the "clubs, strip clubs, whips, and bedroom" with a predominantly southern sound.
"Paradise" is a song recorded by American singer Mya. A riddim-inspired tune, "Paradise" was written by Mya and songwriter Christopher T. Moore with production helmed by Chris "Riddim Fingaz" Garvey. Released October 31, 2008 on her label imprint Planet 9 with distribution via Manhattan Recordings, "Paradise" served as the lead and only single taken from the singer's fifth studio album Sugar & Spice.
K.I.S.S. is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Mya. First released in Japan on April 20, 2011, it is her second studio album to be produced through Japanese record company Manhattan Recordings and her own label Planet 9. Although the record is a traditional R&B and pop album, Mya incorporated elements of multiple different genres after travelling to Jamaica as well as collaborating with Japanese musicians.
"Earthquake" is an R&B/hip hop song by American singer Mya. It served as Harrison's first U.S. digital single from her sixth studio album K.I.S.S. (2011) and featured Miami rapper Trina. The song was originally due to be featured on the Japanese version of K.I.S.S., however the song was pulled out of respect to the victims affected by the earthquake in Japan. The song was written by The Pen Up Dolls and produced by Young Yonny and @goodguydez.
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.
With Love is the debut extended play by American singer Mýa. Her first EP, it marks Harrison's fourth independently released project through her own label imprint Planet 9 via INgrooves and released on February 14, 2014 worldwide via iTunes. The four track EP commemorates the release of her debut single "It's All About Me" and 16th anniversary in the entertainment industry.
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.
Grace Latoya Hamilton, known professionally as Spice, is a Jamaican dancehall deejay, singer, and songwriter. Known as the "Queen of Dancehall", Spice is recognised as one of the most prominent dancehall artists in the world. She is known for her aggressive flow, musical versatility and outspoken lyrics. Spice first gained recognition after performing at the annual dancehall festival Sting in 2000. She released her first single "Complain" for record producer Dave Kelly's Madhouse Records in 2003. She continued to release the singles "Right There" and "Hype", even being featured on songs with Jimmy Cliff and Beenie Man in 2004 and 2006, respectively.
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.
"Handsfree" is a song recorded by American singer Mya featuring Dancehall recording artist Ding Dong. A "bouncy" riddim song, it was written by songwriter Zan with production courtesy of Jonny Blaze, Stadic, and DJ Perf. As a standalone single, "Handsfree" was released in June 2019 and is one of a handful of tracks featured on producer Jonny Blaze's Sexting Riddim compilation album. Upon release, the song received a positive response from critics and music fans alike. An accompanying music video followed which was produced and filmed in Kingston, Jamaica.
