Samsung Celebrates Mya's 25-Year Career In The Music Industry

Short N Sweet Ent

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In this generation of music, we are at a point where artists are receiving their flowers for making a monumental impact on the culture and for paving the way for other artists to show their talents with no regrets. The acceptance of R&B and Hip-Hop music has been a whirlwind, to say the less, but for decades artists have laid there lives down to simply express their realities, whether it be good or bad. In this lifetime, R&B music has transformed into a safe space for everyone to share his or her emotions in every possible way. On the female side, we have been blessed to have legends such as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Patti LaBelle, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Jazmine Sullivan and so many others touch the stage and use their voice to pour into our souls.

While discussing these legends, it is only right that Grammy award-winner and multi-platinum R&B artist Mya is a part of this conversation of greats. From “It’s About Me”, to “My Love is Like Wo”, to “Case of the Ex” Mya has proven that her soft and angelic voice has landed her in the history books.

On November 1st, fans entered into the Samsung 837 store in New York City to take part in a special conversation and celebration of her iconic 25-year career in the music industry. The evening started off with a curated playlist by DJ Tangina Stone and Billboard’s very own Carl Lamarre, who hyped the crowd up before he sat with her to discuss her music journey.

When Mya entered the room, it was almost like watching a goddess float across the stage. Her energy is so pure and natural that it radiated from wall to wall. She welcomed us by outlining how she felt to be recognized for all her hard work.

“It’s a blessing of course to be breathing, especially these days. I wake up everyday with gratitude. The journey is real but it always feels brand new, like I’m just getting started, and that’s when you know you love to do what you do. And of course I couldn’t do it without each and everyone of you. There are a lot of humbling experiences but people keep me going. The fans keep me going. The supporters keep me going and it’s all a blessing”.

As the conversation began to unravel, Mya took everyone on a journey on how she started in the music industry, what went into creating some of her iconic music videos, what it means to be a signed artist and going the independent route, and most importantly the collaborations and friendships that she fostered throughout here life. If you have studied Mya’s music you know that she loves collaborating with reggae and hip-hop artist. Her voice beautifully complements each genre and listeners can tell that these influences have shaped her sound.

“Hip-Hop was a part of my childhood and something about being a dancer, specifically a rhythm tap dancer, we would freestyle and improve to nothing but hip-hop or reggae and that’s just what it is. Hip-hop was and is the heartbeat of a grind but now as an adult I understand where it comes from. So that’s why I pay homage to the very beginning and the birthplace. Where it comes from is being a rebel towards oppression, suppression, depression, and expressing your truth, what ever that might look like. It’s not always pretty. So having hip-hop celebrated for the 50th year, I embrace that. I celebrate that and I honor that because it carried me through.

Mya is far from being down in the music industry. She explained that this was only the beginning for her. Her newest record “Whine” with Bounty Killer is out. Mya ended the conversation by saying, “I want to offer people with beauty, healing, and direction on how to live.

Written By: Shauntay Hallett

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