Mya
OH, MYA!
R&B Sensation Mya Conquers Her Fears on Her Soaring, Coming-of-Age Sophomore Set
Most folks remember Mya's sugar-and-spice vocals from the Grammy-nominated single "Ghetto Supastar," from the BULWORTH soundtrack, and the Blackstreet collaboration "Take Me There," from the RUGRATS soundtrack. But with her second album, FEAR OF FLYING, Mya hopes to join the chart-topping ranks of fellow one-name junior divas Brandy and Monica. During a rehearsal break for an upcoming performance, Mya discussed her hopes and fears with bn.com's rap and R&B editor Tracy E. Hopkins.
barnesandnoble.com: Why did you call your sophomore disc FEAR OF FLYING?
Mya: There's a song on the album called "Fear of Flying," and the label was going back and forth with titles. So FEAR OF FLYING was our last resort, but we decided that there was a lot more to talk about with that title. It has a lot of meaning to it, and that song basically describes the whole album. It's about the ups and downs of everyday life. The title is also metaphorical -- it's about turbulent times, crashing and burning, keeping your feet on solid ground, and reaching for something higher, something unknown, which is scary. The record is also about growing up and realizing you have to set your own standards, instead of following what society or your parents tell you. It's about feeling good about what you're doing, but it's also about the fear of success. Success is a lot scarier than failure. Sometimes I wonder if I'd be able to handle it if this second album explodes.
bn.com: It sounds like you have been through your share of ups and downs?
M: There have been times when I was ready to jump out of a window because of family problems, but it's not like that anymore. I try to take the focus off of myself. My problems are not that big compared to the problems of other people, especially those living in other countries. I have food in my mouth every day; I have a roof over my head; I get to stay in fancy hotel suites and ride in expensive cars. There are people living on the streets. That [kind of suffering] has opened my eyes. From traveling, I realize that my neighborhood is not the world. Everyone is trying to survive. But I'm surviving and living at the same time.
bn.com: Were you familiar with the Erica Jong book FEAR OF FLYING before you named your disc?
M: I didn't know there was a book with the same name before we named the disc. When I found out, my album was almost completed. So I went to a Barnes & Noble and bought a copy. It's funny, because as I began reading it, I saw similarities between the book and the songs on my album. I'm 20 years old and haven't gone through that much, but I have the opportunity to voice my opinion. And it wasn't that long ago that women weren't in the position to express how they felt. I know Erica Jong's book was controversial when it came out and she got a lot of flack because it was about female sexuality. One of the songs that I wrote on the album, "For the First Time," is about being sexually aggressive as a woman. It's about these feelings I had when I heard that this love interest was coming to town. The lyrics are up-front. I tell him: "I want to feel your body right next to mine, soaking wet...and maybe we'll find out tonight for the first time." Society still doesn't care for women taking control in sexual situations too much. But I'm not 12 years old, and it's natural to have those feelings. Another similarity to the book is that the main character in Jong's book is in a relationship, but she really wants to be with someone else. That's like my song "Lie Detector," which is about [cheating on your partner] and how the truth hurts. And all of this was written before I read the book.
bn.com: You've collaborated with a lot of artists, from Sisqo to Pras to Blackstreet. Who have you enjoyed working with the most?
M: I love working with Wyclef [who produced FEAR OF FLYING's "Pussycats" and "Lie Detector"] as a musician, producer, and performer. He's outgoing and willing to take chances. He's able to create on the spot. But I don't want to only be known for my collaborations. I want to be known for my music.
bn.com: You have a background in dance. Did you aspire to be a professional dancer?
M: I started dancing when I was four at a community dance center. My mother enrolled me, and I didn't really want to do it. I wasn't planning to be a dancer. I was taking everything from gymnastics and ballet to violin and piano lessons. I held back my desire to sing because my parents pressured me to take classes all the time. And when I was nine I quit dancing. But after I stopped, I realized how much I missed it. I got back into it after I saw the movie "Tap," with Savion Glover. I started dancing on my kitchen floor every day and started studying the masters. I got better as a dancer, and as I gained more confidence, I started singing for my friends in dance class. From there, I gained the confidence to take it to my parents. My father is a singer, so I was a little intimidated by him. But they were impressed, and I started recording demos when I was 14.
bn.com: As a teenager, what music did you listen to while you were honing your singing skills?
M: I remember Mint Condition's "Pretty Brown Eyes." I was always listening to Mary J. Blige, En Vogue, Madonna, and Shanice. And I loved Jodeci. Then, as I really began rehearsing, I started to buy different kinds of music that I hadn't been exposed to like Bob Marley. My father sang R&B, so I was mostly raised with Stevie Wonder, the O'Jays, and O'Brien. So I guess that's why I ended up singing R&B, if that's what you want to call it. I hate to classify my music, because I want to do so many things.
bn.com: Did your stint on the Lilith Fair tour help broaden your musical repertoire?
M: In high school, my pom squad used to dance to rock like Tears for Fears' "Shout." And working with Wyclef on the "Smokin' Grooves" tour exposed me to reggae. But on the Lilith tour, I was exposed to modern rock and folk music. Different musicians performed on each other's sets. Sheryl Crow and Sarah McLachlan performed together. Chrissie Hynde was there. Sarah performed "Take Me There" with me on my set. That was a nice tour. They made me feel very welcome. It was a group of women doing their thing without any attitude.
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