Maya Jupiter

Last updated

Maya Jupiter
MayaJupiter2010A.jpg
Maya Jupiter, Orlando, Florida, November 2010
Background information
Birth nameMelissha Martinez
Born (1978-12-21) 21 December 1978 (age 45)
La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Origin Sydney, Australia
Genres Hip hop, R&B, salsa
Occupation(s)Rapper, songwriter, MC, radio personality
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1996–present
LabelsMother Tongues
Website www.mayajupiter.com

Melissha Martinez (born 21 December 1978), better known by her stage name Maya Jupiter, is a Mexican-born Australian rapper, songwriter, MC and radio personality. She released her debut album, Today, in 2003. She was a member of hip-hop group, Foreign Heights, with MC Trey and DJ Nick Toth, which released a self-titled album in 2007. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2007 the trio was nominated for 'Best Urban Release' for "Get Yours (Remix)". From 2004 to 2008, Jupiter hosted the national radio station, Triple J's weekly Hip-Hop Show . Thereafter she pursued her solo career based in Los Angeles and released her second album, Maya Jupiter, in December 2010.

Contents

Biography

Maya Jupiter was born as Melissha Martinez on 21 December 1978 in La Paz, Mexico. Her father is Mexican and her mother is Turkish. [1] [2] [3] She has an elder sister, Shiraz Martinez. [4] Her family moved to Melbourne, Victoria when Jupiter was one year old, then relocated to Sydney, when she was four. From four to twelve years old, she grew up in Busby, a suburb in South-western Sydney and then lived in Ashfield. [1] Her parents provided a wide range of musical experience, "At home, we always had different styles of music playing ... [m]y mum used to play classical music, traditional Turkish and pop music, but she was also into jazz and soul. My father used to listen to Spanish-language music". [5] In primary school Jupiter was a school captain, and in secondary school she became a prefect and a sports captain. [1] At the age of 14, she wrote her first rhyme. [6] Her sister took her to local salsa and Latin American clubs. [4] In public Jupiter mostly used English and did not speak much Spanish until she was 17, [1] later she reflected, "I speak more Spanish than I do Turkish! But I was raised by my Mum, so she reminds me that I should be making more Turkish music". [7] At the age of 18, she adopted her stage name using her mother's advice, "to reflect the Mayan side of her heritage" and began performing in an R&B club in Sydney. [6]

In 1998, Jupiter was introduced to the Australian hip hop scene at the Urban Xpressions Festival. [1] One of her early inspirations was Trey, "That was the direction I wanted to go in, and it was nice to have a female role model". [1] From 2001 she started recording tracks "in a piecemeal fashion". She had a minor role in the feature film, Lantana , as a dance instructor. [6] In August 2003 Jupiter released her first album, Today, on Mother Tongues – the first label in the world dedicated to developing women in Hip-Hop music. [8] [9] "Mamacita" was a track dedicated to her mother, "[it] was about the divorce of my parents and I guess it was very personal ... very full on. ... I needed to get out about my father because I didn't see him for about seven years, which I think incited the whole fascination of wanting to know about the Mexican culture". [4] Also that year, she worked with eleven-piece Latin, jazz, hip-hop band, Son Veneno, and accompanied them to The Belligen Global Music Festival. The combination have since performed at numerous festivals including Homebake, Bacardi Festival and supported American singer, Kelis.

By August 2003, Jupiter was also a regular host for shows such as Soul Kitchen and Freestyle on television video outlet, Channel V, and held hip-hop / rap workshops in community centres. [9] [10] She took over as host of national radio station Triple J's weekly music program, Hip Hop Show , in 2004. In 2006, Jupiter joined with fellow rap artist MC Trey and DJ Nick Toth to form the group, Foreign Heights. They released their first single, "It Goes On", featuring Mr Zux in November of that year. In January 2007 their self-titled album was released in Australia and they performed at the Big Day Out. [11] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2007 Foreign Heights was nominated for 'Best Urban Release' for "Get Yours (Remix)". [12]

On 14 April 2008, Hau, frontman of Koolism, took over Jupiter's role as host of the Hip Hop Show, and she left Australia to further her solo career in Los Angeles. [7] [13] [14]

In December 2010, Jupiter released her second album, Maya Jupiter with Blacc assisting on recording and Quetzal Flores and Martha Gonzalez (both are members of Quetzal) co-producing. [5] [7] OC Weekly 's reviewer, Gabriel San Roman described the album as "an innovative collection of songs anchored in lyrical themes of social justice and Son Jarocho vibes" and was pleased by "[t]he sample-free, original instrumentation [which] adds to her music's unique appeal. A Latin American harp, requintos, jaranas, electric guitars, trumpets and keys round out her melodies, and there's a striking use of live percussion instruments such as the quijada, cajón, tarima and pandiero [ sic ] instead of MPC drum beats". [5]

Jupiter is married to Panamanian-American singer Aloe Blacc. In September 2013, they had their first child, a girl named Mandela. In January 2016, they had their second child, a son.

Discography

Albums

Solo
with Foreign Heights

Singles

Solo

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Herd (Australian band)</span> Australian hip hop group

The Herd is an Australian hip hop group formed in Sydney. The group employs a "full band" format and is recognised for its live shows. The Herd is composed of Ozi Batla, Urthboy, Berzerkatron (MCs), Unkle Ho (beats), Traksewt, Sulo, Toe-Fu (guitar), Rok Poshtya (bass) and singer Jane Tyrrell. The band's songs often feature politically oriented lyrics. The group has been largely inactive since 2013, reuniting for select performances.

Australian Hip-Hop traces its origins to the early 1980s and was initially largely inspired by Hip-Hop and other urban musical genres from the United States. As the form matured, Australian hip hop has become a commercially viable style of music that is no longer restricted to the creative underground, with artists such as The Kid Laroi, Manu Crooks, Onefour, Iggy Azalea, Hilltop Hoods, Bliss n Eso and Youngn Lipz, having achieved notable fame. Australian Hip-Hop is still primarily released through independent record labels, which are often owned and operated by the artists themselves. Despite its genesis as an offshoot of American hip-hop, Australian hip hop has developed a distinct personality that reflects its evolution as an Australian musical style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hilltop Hoods</span> Australian hip-hop group

Hilltop Hoods is an Australian hip hop group that formed in 1996 in Blackwood, Adelaide, South Australia. They are regarded as pioneers of the "larrikin-like" style of Australian hip hop. The group was founded by Suffa and Pressure, who were joined by DJ Debris after fellow founder, DJ Next, left in 1999. The group released its first extended play, Back Once Again, in 1997 and have subsequently released eight studio albums, two "restrung" albums and three DVDs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mia Dyson</span> Australian singer

Mia Celeste Dyson is an Australian singer, songwriter and guitarist. She has released six studio albums. Her second, Parking Lots, won the ARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2005. Since 2013, Dyson has concurrently released music under the name Dyson, Stringer & Cloher with Liz Stringer and Jen Cloher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bliss n Eso</span> Australian hip hop trio

Bliss n Eso are an Australian hip hop trio based in Sydney. They are currently signed to Melbourne record label Illusive Sounds, and are managed and booked by label co-founders Adam Jankie and Matt Gudinski. Bliss n Eso have released seven studio albums which include three number 1 debuts on the ARIA Charts. They have also won two ARIA Awards for Best Urban Release for their 2008 album Flying Colours and for Best Music Video for their 2017 single "Moments". Eso, under his alias Esoterik, released an album entitled "My Astral Plane" in May 2018.

"The Nosebleed Section" is a song by the Australian hip hop music group Hilltop Hoods. It was released as a radio single in 2003, and was the final single release from their 2003 album The Calling. The chorus and backing beat of "The Nosebleed Section" are sampled from the song "People in the Front Row" written and sung by Melanie Safka from her 1972 album Garden in the City. Furthermore, the lyric “This life turned out nothing like I had planned” Is an interpolation of Australian rock band Powderfinger’s 1999 song “These Days”.

Elefant Traks is a record label based in Sydney, Australia, that predominantly releases Australian hip hop music. The label is distributed in Australia by Inertia Distribution.

Koolism is an Australian hip hop duo originating from Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drapht</span> Musical artist

Paul Reid, formerly Paul Gary James Ridge,, better known by the stage name Drapht, is an Australian hip hop artist from Perth. Drapht is a member of the Syllabolix (SBX) crew, a collective that includes fellow Perth-based hip hop artists such as Downsyde.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aloe Blacc</span> American singer and rapper (born 1979)

Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III, known professionally as Aloe Blacc, is an American singer-songwriter and rapper. He is best known for his guest performance on Avicii's 2013 single "Wake Me Up", which peaked the charts in 22 countries. including Australia and the United Kingdom. As a lead artist, he is known for his singles "I Need a Dollar" and "The Man", the latter of which peaked the UK Singles Chart. Aside from his solo career, Blacc is also a member of hip hop duo Emanon, alongside American record producer Exile.

Katalyst is an Australian DJ and producer. He won awards at the 2002 Australian Dance Music Awards for Best Album and Best Producer.

Astronomy Class are an Australian hip-hop / reggae group from Sydney. The group comprises Ozi Batla, Sir Robbo and Chasm.

Layla Rose Hanbury, known mononymously as Layla, is an Australian hip hop singer-songwriter and MC from Perth. In January 2005 she released her debut solo album, Heretik, on Obese Records. She is a member of Syllabolix (SBX) Crew, with other MCs including her husband, Dazastah. The couple also perform as Layla and Dazastah. During September and October 2011 the duo were a support act for another SBX artist, Drapht, on his Australia-wide Party Party Party Tour.

Hermitude is an Australian electronic-hip hop duo, originating from the Blue Mountains, New South Wales.

A-Love is a female Australian-based MC from Melbourne. Her debut album, Ace of Hearts was nominated 'Best Urban Release' in the ARIA Music Awards of 2008.

MC Trey, also known as Trey, is a Fijian Samoan Australian vocalist, and hip-hop activist. She was nominated as one of Sydney's Top 10 Creative Innovators in the field of music and is a member of ARIA-nominated band Foreign Heights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chance Waters</span> Musical artist

Chance Dylan Waters, is a retired independent Australian hip hop artist and record producer. Under the moniker Phatchance, Waters was a founder of the group Natural Causes, in 2003 which issued an album, The Incidental Noise Demo, and toured nationally. The group disbanded later that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">360 (rapper)</span> Australian rapper

Matthew James Colwell, better known by his stage name 360, is an Australian rapper. He has released four studio albums: What You See Is What You Get (2008); Falling & Flying (2011), which peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum; Utopia (2014), and Vintage Modern (2017). 360's second album provided four charting singles, including "Boys like You", which peaked at No. 3 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified 4× platinum. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2012, he received six nominations and won the 'Breakthrough Artist – Release' award for Falling & Flying, while Styalz Fuego won the ARIA 'Producer of the Year' Artisan award for the same album.

Langomi-e-Hau Latukefu, better known as Hau Latukefu, Hauie Beast, MC Hau or simply Hau, is an Australian hip hop musician and radio host. He is best known as half of the duo Koolism and as the host of Triple J's hip hop program and Sky High on Double J.

Foreign Heights is an Australian hip hop band made up of Maya Jupiter, MC Trey and Nick Toth. They released their self-titled debut album in January 2007. Their single "Get Yours (Remix)" was nominated for the 2007 ARIA Award for Best Urban Release

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mitchell, Tony; Munn, Karli; Campagna, Alessia (November 2004). "Maya Jupiter Crossing Musical Borders – From R&B to Hip Hop to Salsa – November 2003" (PDF). Music Council of Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 September 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  2. ↑ "Maya Jupiter". Discogs. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
  3. ↑ Electronic Beats. "Six mixed maestros (Part 3): Emiliana Torrini / Maya Jupiter". Archived from the original on 24 April 2010. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 Mitchell, Tony (2011). "Hip Hop Generation". MigraZine. Maiz (Assimina Gouma, Cristiane Tasinato, Radostina Patulova, Vina Yun). Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 Roman, Gabriel San (6 October 2011). "Maya Jupiter Brings Latino Flavor From Down Under". OC Weekly . Village Voice Media. p. 1. Archived from the original on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 Macgregor, Jody. "Maya Jupiter > Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 Cyclone (26 May 2011). "Maya Jupiter – Global Beats". Onion. No. 3554. Rip It Up Publishing. Retrieved 23 August 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. ↑ "Record Label profile – Mother Tongues". Australian Music Online. Federal Government of Australia. August 2003. Archived from the original on 10 August 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  9. 1 2 "Releases – Today". Australian Music Online. Federal Government of Australia. August 2003. Archived from the original on 17 August 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  10. ↑ Coleman, Tim (8 April 2005). "Feminen wiles". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 15 April 2008.
  11. ↑ "The Big Day Out 2007 – Sydney". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 25 January 2006. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  12. ↑ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2007: 21st Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 18 November 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  13. ↑ "Triple J – Hip Hop Show". Archived from the original on 17 April 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
  14. ↑ "Koolism frontman takes the wheel at Triple J Hip Hop Show". In The Mix (Sound Alliance). 3 April 2008. Archived from the original on 5 April 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.