Don’t Miss the Beat
By Maha Chaudhry
In the late ‘90s, as the pop and R&B worlds were exploding with young talent, a then-18-year-old singer named Mya Harrison quietly stepped onto the scene. With a soft voice, effortless dance moves, and girl next door demeanor, she didn’t shout for attention, and she didn’t need to because the industry took notice, and so did her audience.
Her debut single, “It’s All About Me” featuring Sisqó, was a smooth introduction to what would become a steady career. Throughout the early 2000s, Mýa became a staple on charts and red carpets, especially with hits like “Case of the Ex,” the song that became a breakup anthem to many females dealing with relationship drama in the late 90s and early 2000s. Let’s not forget “My Love Is Like…Wo,” and her memorable part in “Lady Marmalade” alongside Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Lil’ Kim. This performance later won a Grammy and solidified her as a household name.
And this summer, she delighted her “OG fans” with a night of performance that would take them back to the good ole days. The show took place at Mango’s Tropical Café in Orlando. Nostalgic fans tuned in for some of her biggest hits, some dating back to 1998. Promoted as a “90s Treatment” single release party, the night was both a nod to the golden era that launched her career and a celebration of her continued evolution. The show was more than just a performance…it was a statement: longevity in the music industry isn’t just about staying visible, it’s about staying valuable.
What makes Mýa’s story stand out isn’t just her early success, it’s how she navigated the industry afterward. As the spotlight shifted and R&B’s presence in mainstream radio faded, Mýa quietly reinvented herself. She became an independent artist, funding and releasing her own projects through her label Planet 9. In a time when many artists were dependent on big-label budgets, Mýa did it her way: Self-managed, self-funded, and committed to her creative vision.
In 2016, her independent album Smoove Jones earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album, nearly 20 years after her debut.
Even today, Mýa tours worldwide, maintains a devoted fanbase, and is often cited as an inspiration by younger R&B artists who admire her discipline, artistry, and independence.
Mýa may not be the loudest name in the headlines, but like any natural artist, she’s never stopped creating. She’s not just a singer who was—she’s a singer who is, and we think it will remain that way.
