Mýa

Mýa Marie Harrison is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, actress, dancer, model and choreographer from Washington, D.C. She also records and releases music as Mýa and Mýa Harrison. Her work is associated with R&B and soul, and she is signed to Planet 9, Interscope Records and University Music Entertainment.

Music career

Mýa’s self-titled debut album appears on Interscope Records and is released in 1998. It sells more than a million copies in the United States and includes the gold-certified top ten single “It’s All About Me”, featuring Sisqó.

She also appears as a featured artist on several notable tracks, including Pras’ “Ghetto Superstar” with Ol’ Dirty Bastard, which is nominated for a Grammy Award, and “Take Me There” from The Rugrats Movie soundtrack, recorded with Blackstreet and Mase.

Her second studio album, Fear of Flying, is released in 2000 and becomes a platinum-selling success. Its lead single, “Case of the Ex”, becomes her breakthrough hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100, number three on the UK Singles Chart and number one in Australia.

Mýa wins her first Grammy Award for “Lady Marmalade”, the cover version recorded with Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim and Pink for the soundtrack of Moulin Rouge! The song reaches number one worldwide.

Her third album, Moodring, is released in 2003 and is later certified gold by the RIAA. It peaks at number three on the Billboard 200 and sells more than 113,000 copies in its first week, her highest first-week sales. Its first single, “My Love Is Like…Wo”, is produced by Missy Elliott and becomes a top 20 hit in the United States.

Later releases and label changes

After several label changes, her fourth studio album, Liberation, is issued in Japan only as a download release in 2007. It leads to the Japan-exclusive album Sugar & Spice in 2008.

She also works on her own independent label, Planet 9.

Acting and other work

Mýa expands into acting and endorsement work. She appears in films including Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, Shall We Dance? and Cursed. She also has a supporting role in the film version of Chicago in 2002, for which she wins a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Outside music and film, she has endorsement deals with Coca-Cola, Iceberg, Tommy Hilfiger and Motorola.

Collaborations and recognition

Alongside her solo work, Mýa is known for collaborations with other artists across pop and R&B. Her recordings include work with Sisqó, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Blackstreet, Mase, Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Pink and Missy Elliott.