| interview by Will Hernandez
WHO?MAG: How did this collaboration come about? R&B and dance Music?
Mya: It’s just music, that’s all.
WHO?MAG: Mya, are you a big fan of techno/house music?
Mya: I am a big fan of music period, and especially dance music. I love to dance. Cedric and I hooked up through Ultra Records working on a project together. We’ve been in the studio recently working on a new single and we have some wonderful material including a single which belongs to the campaign, and the new song is called “Love is the Answer”.
WHO?MAG: How was the vibe between you and Cedric in the studio?
Mya: Very creative. It’s a great environment. We worked together very quickly because we are both artists first.
WHO?MAG: Are you still with Interscope?
Mya: I left Interscope under the Universal umbrella in 2005. I transistioned to Motown Records and now I have my own label.
WHO?MAG: How is the independent situation working?
Mya: Actually its going very well. I put out three albums on my own label so far. Two in Japan and one here.
WHO?MAG: Tell me about how your mentor Haq Islam come about?
Mya: He was at my first label with Universal, I was signed to him. It was sort of like a pre-production house and independent label where he signed Dru Hill, … souls, and me, but that was like family. He later signed the label to Interscope.
WHO?MAG: What did you learn from Haq?
Mya: What I learned from Haq is to take your time with a project.
WHO?MAG: What do you feel is the biggest change you have seen in the music industry since you first started in 1998?
Mya: Well in 1998, I had my first cell phone (laughs). I also had my first laptop, that’s when I set up my first email account. I would have to say the music industry has changed with technology. Some people consider it a negative thing in the music industry while others consider it a great way for promotion. If you learn how to capitalize off of it and use it to your advantage to network with people, then you win. It’s definitely a transition, but still in the middle of adjusting. I look at it as positive overall because you have a direct connection and access to so much information.
WHO?MAG: How did you hook up with Beenie Man a few years ago?
Mya: I worked with Beenie Man on my album “Fear of Flying” and I worked with him on his album which became a single “Girls dem Sugar”. It was great working with him. I did a show with him at Sun Splash and it was very similar to what is happening in Miami right now. There were parties on the beach until 8am. I loved the energy. It’s all about people.
WHO?MAG: How did you hook up with Lil’ Kim, Pink, and Christina Aguilera for “Lady Marmalade”?
Mya: It was actually really nice working with the girls for “Lady Marmalade” because I have always been working with guys in the business and never really girls. Girls don’t usually work together as much because of insecurities or egos, but I have seen guys always working together. I wish there was more of that because it was my first experience working in a setting where there were other females and great energy. There were no cat fights like people usually say. It was a great project and a great film to be a part of.
WHO?MAG: I heard that you speak fluent Spanish. Have you ever thought about doing a Spanish album?
Mya: I actually never did a Spanish album, but I did a lot of mixes and Spanish versions of songs.
WHO?MAG: Have you ever thought about doing a whole Spanish album?
Mya: I would love to do one. That has always been in the back of my mind.
WHO?MAG: What’s next?
Mya: Go pick up that Miamication and look out for the song “Love is the answer” |
