Mýa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mýa | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Mýa Marie Harrison | |
| Born | October 10, 1979 (age 27) | |
| Origin |  Greenbelt, Maryland, United States |
|
| Genre(s) | R&B, pop, Hip-hop | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress, model | |
| Years active | 1998—present | |
| Label(s) | Interscope 1998—2005, Motown 2005—present | |
| Website | MyaMya.com | |
Mýa Marie Harrison (born October 10, 1979 in Greenbelt, Maryland) is an American R&B and pop singer, songwriter, record producer, model, dancer, and actress who rose to fame during the late 1990s. She is best known for hits such as "It's All About Me", "Best of Me", and "Case Of The Ex". Mýa has recorded several multiplatinum albums and has earned several awards, including a Grammy for her contribution to the 2001 version of "Lady Marmalade". Her stage name is Mýa, but she is sometimes credited as Mýa Harrison for acting roles.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
Mýa was born and raised in Prince George's County, Maryland, a largely-suburban county near Washington, D.C.. She also has two younger brothers named Chaz and Nigel. Her mother is Italian American and her father is African American. Mýa studied both singing and tap, at one point taking lessons in New York City from Savion Glover. As a teenager, she appeared as a dancer on BET's Teen Summit talk show. Mýa taught dance for several years before and after she became famous. She attended Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Maryland, where she graduated at age sixteen. Mýa was a cheerleader in high school.
[edit] Mya
In 1997, Mýa signed a recording contract with Haqq Islam's University Records, after being brought to the label by her friends an R&B group Dru Hill. The four members of the group, Tamir "Nokio" Ruffin, Mark "Sisqó" Andrews, Larry "Jazz" Anthony', and James "Woody" Green, wrote and produced half of Mýa eponymous debut album, Mýa. The first two singles, "It's All About Me" and "Movin' On", were co-written by Sisqó; the former song also featured Sisqó on guest vocals, while the latter featured rapper Silkk Tha Shocker. Both songs reached top ten on the U.S. Billlboard R&B/Hip Hop chart while "It's All About Me" also reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The videos for these two songs and for her third single "My First Night With You" were MTV staples through 1998. Mya received 2 Soul Train Music Awards nomination for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist for Movin' On and Best R&B/Soul Album Mýa (both beaten by Erykah Badu). Not only did Mya's self titled debut album become 1 of the top 10 selling albums of 1998. It was certified Double Platinum on October 1, 1998 and became a big commercial success for her in the US[1][2].
In addition to her solo work, Mýa was also a featured artist with Ol' Dirty Bastard on Pras' 1998 grammy nominated hit, "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)", from the Bulworth soundtrack. During the same year, Mýa also scored another hit as a featured vocalist on BLACKstreet's "Take Me There" from the The Rugrats Movie soundtrack, which also featured guest raps from Ma$e and Blinky Blink.
[edit] Fear of Flying
On April 25, 2000, Mýa released her second album, Fear of Flying. The album debut at number 15 on the Billboard 200 album charts with first week sales of 72,000 copies. Its first single, "Best of Me", was an urban R&B song that featured rapper Jadakiss and had an even more urban hip hop remix which featured rapper Jay-Z. The song and its remix were hits at urban radio but did not crossover to mainstream radio. Mýa's biggest pop hit came with the second single, "Case of the Ex". The song reached #2 in the U.S. and its music video performed well on MTV's TRL. Following the success of "Case of the Ex", Interscope re-released Fear of Flying on November 7, 2000 with a revised track listing containing two new songs, including the third single "Free". (which was previously on the Bait soundtrack) and a new track titled "Again and Again". "Free" was even more pop-friendly and became quite successful at MTV's TRL and pop radio. "Fear Of Flying", landed Mýa a Soul Train Music Award nomination for R&B/Soul album. Eventually Fear Of Flying went platinum on March 28, 2001 selling more than 1.2 million copies giving Mýa her second platinum album in the US. Although Fear Of Flying was received with mixed reviews, the album still became a huge commercial success for Mýa launching her career into superstardom.
[edit] Lady Marmalade
In May 2001, Mýa collaborated with Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, and P!nk on a remake of LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade". The track was produced by hip hop producers Missy Elliott and Rockwilder and was featured in Baz Luhrman's Moulin Rouge!. The song's success was driven by its sexually suggestive video, which featured the four singers dressed in burlesque outfits. P!nk and Mýa later described that the immodest concept almost prevented the video from being filmed; nonetheless, the video was a huge hit on MTV, VH1, and MTV2, and collected several MTV Video Music Awards nominations in 2001. The song was also one of the year's biggest at pop, rhythmic, and even adult top 40. Mýa along side Christina Aguilera, Lil'Kim, and P!nk not only performed at the Grammys, but also won a grammy for Best Pop Collaboration. "Lady Marmalade" went on to collect numerous awards including 2 MTV Video Music Awards for Video Of The Year and Best Video From a Film.
[edit] Moodring
After the release and success of Fear of Flying, Mýa began to dabble in acting with a supporting role in the 2002 Academy Award-winning musical film, Chicago, in which she would win a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance. In the following years, she continued appearing in films such as Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004), Shall We Dance? (2004), and Cursed (2005). In 2004, Mýa appeared as a Bond girl in the video game James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing; she also sang the video game's theme song, "Everything or Nothing". Mýa also went on to become a spokesperson for the Coca Cola company along side Common with their ad campaign Real Compared To What.
In July 2003, Mýa released her third long awaited studio album, Moodring. In the U.S., it peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart selling more than 113,000 in its first week of sales, making it Mýa's highest first week sales ever. The first single, the Missy Elliott-produced "My Love Is Like... Wo", became a top twenty hit in the U.S. due to its success on mainstream radio. This video featured Mýa acting as a "one woman circus", performing various circus tricks throughout the song. "My Love Is Like...Wo" was nominated for 2 MTV awards(one for Best Dance Video which was beaten by Justin Timberlake and one for Best Choreography in a Video which was beaten by Beyoncé). The album's second single, "Fallen" (which samples "Saudade Vem Correndo" by Stan Getz, as does "Runnin'" by The Pharcyde), was not as successful only managing to peak at #51 on the Billboard 100 single charts. According to Nielson Soundscan the album has sold approximately 589,000 copies[1] and is certified Gold. It is Mýa's lowest selling album to date.
In 2003, Mýa posed for Maxim magazine; her pictorial is featured on their Girls of Maxim gallery. She was also a model for King magazine. Mýa has also appeared in various print ads. She was signed to Ford Models in 2005.
[edit] Liberation
Mýa is currently re-working her fourth album Liberation. The lead single Lock U Down featuring Lil Wayne is expected to hit radio for March 5-6, 2007. Thus far Ayo have been released for promotional purposes only. According Rap-up.com Mýa has confirmed that her fourth studio album Liberation will be released on June 26, 2007[1] and a video for Mýa's official first single Lock U Down featuring Lil' Wayne will be shot in L.A. on April 4, 2007. [2] According to Mya's official website, Mya's second single is called "Walka Not A Talka" and was produced by Jonathan "J.R." Rotem. [3]The futuristic club track showcases Mya's vocals and a new definition of walking the walk versus talking the talk over a brand new sound.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Cover | Information |
|---|---|
| Mýa | |
 |
Fear Of Flying
|
Moodring
|
|
| Liberation |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop | UK Singles | |||
| 1998 | "It's All About Me" (feat. Sisqó of Dru Hill) | #6 | #2 | - | Mýa |
| 1998 | "Movin' On" (feat. Silkk Tha Shocker) | #34 | #4 | - | Mýa |
| 1998 | "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" (Pras feat. Ol' Dirty Bastard and Mýa) | #15 | #8 | #2 | Ghetto Supastar, Bulworth (Soundtrack) |
| 1998 | "Take Me There" (BLACKstreet and Mýa feat. Mase and Blinky Blink) | #15 | #10 | #7 | Finally |
| 1999 | "My First Night with You" | #28 | #28 | - | Mýa |
| 1999 | "Somebody Like Me" (Silkk The Shocker feat. Mýa) | - | #43 | - | Made Man |
| 2000 | "The Best of Me" (feat. Jadakiss) | #50 | #14 | - | Fear of Flying |
| 2000 | "The Best of Me" (Trackmasters Remix) (feat. Jay-Z) | - | #35 | - | DJ Clue: Backstage Mixtape |
| 2000 | "Case of the Ex" | #2 | #10 | #3 | Fear of Flying |
| 2001 | "Girls Dem Sugar" (Beenie Man feat. Mýa) | #54 | #16 | #13 | Art & Life |
| 2001 | "Free" | #42 | #52 | #11 | Bait (Soundtrack), Fear of Flying (Re-Released) |
| 2001 | "Lady Marmalade" (with Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, & P!nk) | #1 | #1 | #1 | Moulin Rouge! (Soundtrack) |
| 2003 | "My Love Is Like...Wo" | #13 | #17 | #33 | Moodring |
| 2003 | "Fallen" | #51 | #35 | #74 | Moodring |
| 2006 | "Ayo" (feat. DJ Kool) | - | #70 | #124 | Liberation |
| 2007 | "Lock U Down" (feat. Lil Wayne) | TBR | TBR | TBR | Liberation |
| 2007 | "Walka Not A Talka" | TBR | TBR | TBR | Liberation |
[edit] Featured appearances
- 1999: "Somebody Like Me" (with Silkk The Shocker; from Made Man)
- 1999: "JOB" (with Foxy Brown; from Chyna Doll)
- 2000: "Girls Dem Sugar" (with Beenie Man; from Art & Life)
- 2001: "4 Shure (Remix)" (with Groove Theory & Jagged Edge; from The Answer)
- 2002: "Fair Xchange (Remix)" (with 2 Pac; from Better Dayz)
- 2002: "Thin Line (Remix)" (with Jurassic 5; from Power In Numbers)
- 2002: "I'll Be There" (with Ali Vegas; from Heir To The Throne (Mixtape)
- 2003: "Love Somebody (CINEMA Version II)" (with Yuji Oda; from 11 Colors)
- 2004: "Forever With You" (with Guy Sebastian; from Beautiful Life)
- 2005: "Leave That Boy Alone" (with Shortee Redd; from From Da Bottom Up}
- 2005: "We Won't Stop" {with Shortee Redd; from From Da Bottom Up)
- 2005: "Sugar Daddy" (with Cuban Link; from Chain Reaction)
- 2005: "Dreams" (unreleased) (with Mike Jones; from Who Is Mike Jones?)
- 2005: "Sexy" (with Ray-J; from Raydiation)
- 2006: "Matter of Time" (with Trae; from Restless)
- 2006: "4 Ever" (originally recorded with Mýa) (with Method Man; from 4:21... The Day After)
- 2006: "No Matter What They Say" (with Penelope Jones; from Untitled)
- 2006: "Bout It" (originally recorded with Mýa) (with Yung Joc; from Tapemasters Inc. - The Future Of RnB 10)
- 2006: "Close To You" (with Dionne Warwick; from My Friends and Me)
- 2007: "Hold N' Back" (with Marques Houston; from Veteran)
- 2007: "I Will Give It All to You" (with Vlad Topalov; from Odinokaya Zvezda)
- 2007: "Flippin'" (with Lil' Flip; from I Need Mine)
[edit] Soundtrack appearances
- Bulworth ("Ghetto Superstar"; 1998)
- Belly ("Movin' Out" University Mix; 1998)
- Rugrats: The Rugrats Movie ("Take Me There"; 1998)
- Life ("Why Should I Believe You"; 1999)
- Bait ("Free"; 2000)
- Atlantis: The Lost Empire ("Where the Dream Takes You"; 2001)
- Moulin Rouge! ("Lady Marmalade"; 2001)
- Legally Blonde ("Sex Machine"; 2001)
- All About The Benjamins ("Cream Cheese"; 2002)
- James Bond: Everything Or Nothing ("Everything or Nothing"; 2003)
- Barbershop 2: Back in Business ("Fallen" Zone 4 Remix; 2004)
- A Cinderella Story ("Fallen"; 2004)
- Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights ("Do You Only Wanna Dance"; 2004)
- Shall We Dance? ("Let's Dance"; 2004)
- Fat Albert ("Not Gonna Drop"; 2005)
[edit] Charity songs
- 2001: "What More Can I Give?" (9/11 attacks)
- 2004: "Forever in Out Hearts" (2004 Indian Ocean earthquake)
- 2005: "Come Together Now" (Hurricane Katrina)
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | In Too Deep | Loretta | |
| 2002 | Chicago | Mona | |
| 2003 | Volcano High | Yu Cha-i | |
| 2004 | Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights | Lola Martinez | |
| 2004 | Hip Hop All Stars | Herself | Documentary |
| 2004 | Shall We Dance? | Vern's Fiancée | |
| 2005 | Cursed | Jenny Tate | |
| 2006 | Cover | ||
| 2006 | Swap Meet | Katrina | |
| 2006 | Ways of the Flesh | Valerie | |
| 2007 | How She Move | Herself | |
| 2007 | The Metrosexual | Jessica |
[edit] Awards and nominations
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Soul Train Music Award nomination for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist ("Movin' On") |
| 1998 | Soul Train Music Award nomination for Best R&B/Soul Album - Female (Mýa). |
| 1998 | MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Video from a Film ("Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)") |
| 1998 | MTV Video Music Award nomination for Rap Video of the Year ("Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)") |
| 1998 | Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Performance by Vocal Group ("Ghetto Supastar") |
| 2000 | Soul Train Music Award nomination for Best R&B/Soul Album - Female (Fear of Flying) |
| 2001 | MTV Video Music Award Win for Best Video of the Year ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2001 | MTV Video Music Award Win for Best Video from a Film ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2001 | MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Dance Video ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2001 | MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Pop Video ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2001 | MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Choreography ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2001 | MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Art Direction ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2001 | VH1 Music Awards Win for Is It Hot In Here Or Is It Just My Video ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2001 | VH1 Music Awards Win for My Favorite Video ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2001 | Radio Music Awards Win for Song Of The Year Top 40 Pop Radio ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2001 | Teen Choice Awards Win for Choice Song Of The Summer ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2001 | TMF Awards-Belgium Win for Best Video Of The Year ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2001 | TMF Awards-Netherlands Win for Best Video Of The Year ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2002 | ALMA Awards Win for Outstanding Song In A Motion Picture Soundtrack ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2002 | ASCAP Pop Music Awards Win ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2002 | BMI Award Win ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2002 | Channel Thailand Music Video Awards Win ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2002 | Grammy Award Win for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals ("Lady Marmalade"). |
| 2002 | MTV Japan Video Music Award Win ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2002 | MVPA Video Award Win for Best Styling In A Video ("Lady Marmalade") |
| 2003 | MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Dance Video ("My Love is Like ..Wo") |
| 2003 | MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Choreography in a Video ("My Love is Like ..Wo") |
| 2003 | Screen Actors Guild Award Win for Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture ("Chicago"). |
| 2003 | Phoenix Film Critics Society Award nomination for Best Acting Ensemble ("Chicago"). |
| 2003 | Broadcast Film Critics Association Award Win for Best Acting Ensemble ("Chicago"). |
| 2005 | MTV Movie Award nomination for Best Frightened Performance ("Cursed"). |
| 2006 | 11th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival Win for Cross Over Award (from singer to actress) |
[edit] References and sources
[edit] External links
- Mýa's official site
- Zee's Mýa Fan Page
- Mýa on the Internet Movie Database
- Mýa Harrison
- Marvelous Mýa
Studio albums: Mýa · Fear of Flying · Moodring · Liberation
Singles: "It's All About Me" · "Movin' On" · "My First Night With You" · "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" · "Take Me There" · "The Best of Me" · "Case of the Ex" · "Free" · "Lady Marmalade" · "My Love Is Like...Wo" · "Fallen" · "Ayo"
Categories: 1979 births | Afro-Italians | African-American actors | African-American singers | American actor-singers | American female singers | American film actors | American pop singers | American rhythm and blues singers | Grammy Award winners | Italian-American actors | Italian-American musicians | Living people | Motown artists | People from Washington, D.C. | Rhythmic contemporary musicians | Washington, D.C. musicians
