UB Celebrates: 25th Anniversary of Mýa

Mýa has earned the respect of her peers with hard work in and out of the studio. Along with her solo efforts and collaborations, Mýa has emerged as a powerful and popular concert act, bringing her unique vocals and dancing skills to stages across the world.

Haqq Islam, agreed to audition Mýa at her home and signed Mýa in 1996 when she was 15. He called Mýa his Diana Ross. “She has a vocal ability that can be heard in a room full of singers; her flow is tantamount to a rapper,” he stated.

Mýa is an accomplished dancer who has trained with Savion Glover, the late great Gregory Hines, and the Dance Theater of Harlem.

Mýa headed for New York to study with Glover himself, at the legendary Dance Theater of Harlem. Thanks to her fantastic ability to improvise, not to mention the fact that Glover was impressed with her tapping talent, Glover gave Focus a solo spot at a Kennedy Center performance. Almost giving back what she learned from the incomparable Savion Glover.

Educated in ballet, tap, and jazz, Mýa took violin lessons since the fourth grade and learned to play the drums. The oldest of three, she became a high school graduate at the age of 16. Once her father heard her sing, he made a couple of demos and took them to a club where he was playing. Obviously impressed by what he heard.

“There are things that men do these days that a woman can do, but she won’t get the same respect.” – Mýa

At the tender age of 18 the Maryland native burst on the scene with an infectious collection that delighted fans and critics alike with her self-titled debut album release.

The platinum plus “Mýa,” spawned three Top 10 singles, “It’s All About Me” (a duet with Sisqo, which also earned a Soul Train nomination), “Movin’ On” (featuring Silkk the Shocker) and “My First Night With You.”

Islam stated that Mýa‘s songwriting is consistent with the label’s philosophy. “We want artistry and strong songs with good messages that appeal to the heart, soul, and imagination,” he said, “[Mýa’s] album takes us to another level. We have always tried to present something positive and edgy, to reflect young people today.”

Mýa added that the album is “ladylike” and done in a “tasteful” way. She leaves some things to the imagination, rather than trying to sound vulgar or explicit. “There are things that men do these days that a woman can do, but she won’t get the same respect,” Mýa stated.

Mýa said that her album spoke mostly to men and that many of the songs offer a variety of “messages.” She co-wrote many of the songs, including “If You Died I Wouldn’t Cry ‘Cause You Never Loved Me Anyway,” in which she puts a voice to the gut – wrenching pain some women feel at the end of a relationship.

“My First Night With You,” is about a non-sexual experience with a man, that was written by Babyface and produced by Daryl Simmons. “[Simmons] allowed me to do my own thing and put my own spin on it,” Mýa stated.

Following the release of her 1998 platinum-plus self-titled debut, Mýa hit the road, logging miles on 98‘s leg of the Smokin’ Grooves Tour, as well as concerts throughout the U.S. In 1999, Mýa was a featured main stage act on the Lilith Fair Tour.

Mýa made a major impact on the industry, when she debuted and until this day, she is that chick!

In our UB Interview excerpt with Mýa, she plays the Lyric Game and tells us her favorite song from her debut and why.

Mýa the 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition will be Available April 28th!