Mýa on Self-Love, Independence & Reinvention

I've been a fan of my next guest for as long as I can remember. She's R&B Royalty, a Grammy award-winning artist who has been part of the soundtrack to our lives for nearly three decades. From stepping into the game as a teenager to giving us iconic hits like "Case of the X" and "Lady Mama Lot," she has built a career that is global, intentional, and fully on her own terms. Now, she's back with her upcoming 10th studio album "Retrospect" and the single "A-S-A-P." Maya Milisha, get ready, 'cause baby, this is Kiki Palmer. ♪ Baby, this is Kiki, baby, this is Kiki Palmer, yeah ♪ Today's episode is brought to you by the new drinks at McDonald's, six new drinks crafted sodas with cold foam, refreshers with popping bulba and freeze-dried fruit, and, trust, they are giving everything. Now, let's get in today's show. Maya, Kiki! Well, I am so happy to have you on the show. It's a long-time comment. I am so happy to be here. I'm so proud of you. Thank you. That means so much coming from you and really, really does. So talented. So gifted. Oh my gosh, so amazing. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Well, you know, we always have. Everybody that comes to the show does the pre-show pull-ups, so I was excited, guys, because usually when people do these pre-show pull-ups, I'm not saying nobody, but I can't read the chicken scratch stuff they'd be writing. But Ms. Girl over here is very legible, it's clear, okay, because I can actually read what is said. So, Zodiac sign, I already knew this Libra. Here, you read Libra, authentic aesthetics, you know, you always give it a look. I feel like Libras are known for that. Do you feel very close to your sign? Absolutely. You know, I was on chat GPT this morning trying to figure all of this out. I think you're about to bring up. And, you know, it does a deep dive. It does. It can tell you the moon. Do you know your moon? What is it? What is it? So, it starts with Sun sign, which is Libra. Yeah, yeah. Moon is cancer. Oh. And I'm a double, because my rising is also Libra. Oh, my God. And I was born 10-10, so perfectly balanced. What is the most Libra thing you think about you? Trying to achieve balance is always either the struggle or the goal. Yeah, yeah. And then I would say, the destination that I finally get to, if it doesn't have balance, it doesn't make sense to me. Oh, my gosh. Which sounds, which is, I really actually relate to that. I have a Libra mercury. So I'm also a very balanced person. I also believe in, like, fair stuff, but it's like, you know, life is just not like that. So, very often, I'm on the other side and I'm like, yeah, diplomatic, all of that. Okay. So, yes. I see you said, you're big three, but when we know that, and then what are you most grateful for today? When I read this, I'm like, this is so Maya because it says life guys, but then it says the greatest gift, of course, and that is so you. I agree with that. Life is the greatest gift, a relationship or friendship non-negotiable for you. I mean, this is narcissism, jealousy, dangerous combination, and it's so true because sometimes in, and I like how we, you know, we say friendship too, because sometimes it's in the friendships, you know what I'm saying? And it can happen. I feel like in our industry, a lot of times too, because the world of our careers can be so big, we can be very open sometime to that kind of thing, where people just kind of, you know, it's like, I'm not my career, you know, it's like I know it's a lot of lights and a lot of stuff that's happening here, but like, it's so important I find to make sure that my friendships and people that are close to me don't let that tell them who I am or respond to that, you know? Or assume things about you because of it. Yeah. That's tough. The wrong things. Okay. Every time. What's a question you wish you were asked more interviews? I was excited about this. Are you hungry? Would you like to order something? Oh, yes. You know? Now wait a minute, because we're supposed to have stuff in your little snack. You did. It was loaded. It was loaded. But you know, sometimes you get a little dry-throated during interviews. And I know that food helps me just get back in life every day. Oh, okay. It's the highlight of my day. And you like to cook, don't you? I love to cook. Yeah. I love to snack. But it's like a part of my functionality. If I don't eat, or at least have a little soup or something hot, you know, I feel that I'm not delivering properly. Bad food immediately. I'm a foodie. I'm curious. Okay. Who is someone that you've met that made you feel star-struck? Which this is an incredible name, Gregory Hines. Yes. I mean, Gregory Hines. Icon. Amazing. Incredible. Where did you guys meet? I was 10 years old when I met Gregory Hines outside of, I think, Jelly's Last Jam when I saw my very first Broadway show in New York City with my mom. And also, the Macy's Day Parade was happening during that time, and I was a tap dancer, you know, amongst a big group of tap dancers during that time, and we went to go see his play, but he comes outside of the door, you know, to say hi to his fans and signs autographs. And I was so star-struck because I grew up watching Gregory Hines tap dance and act and sing PBS specials, VHS and beta tapes. I have it all. All my archival footage that I would study, and so when I met him in person, I was star-struck and frozen. Incredible. Yeah. Oh my gosh. Did you ever get to see him after you'd become the Maya that the world knows, did you ever see him again? Yes. So he actually visited Washington, D.C. where I'm from, and visited a tap school that I was a part of. We got to perform with him. I think I was about 13. And then years later, I performed again as a tap dancer soloist, and he joined me on stage years after that when I was 16 at the Smithsonian Institution, and I was just freestyling on stage, and he was in the wings. And, you know, I studied a lot of his steps. So I was pulling those steps out, and he came on stage and we started trading bars. In tap dance, we call that challenge. I knew it. That was a big moment for me. I was star-struck then, too. Oh my gosh. Tapping is such a beautiful. I watch a lot of time, the Chloe and Mom. Yes. That's my sister. Oh my gosh. Incredible. Like, I watch them. And like, it's so, you're like, I'll try to think I can do it, but the way that you guys can hear rhythm and how you just move those feet, the sides, the back, the front of your music. Well, you're musical, so you can do it. I'ma have to learn. Okay. And then last one. What's a mantra you live by and why, one day at a time? I love this one. Yes. Now that I'm older, that is just something that I must live by. Yeah. We can be in a rush every day to try to meet this expectation that we either place over ourselves or the society sometimes has over our heads. Yes. And you can stretch yourself out, lose out on health and sleep and life and family. So I just take one thing at a time and not try to rush into getting the goal accomplished. Because it doesn't take a day or it just can't happen overnight, pacing. And that's what I was just actually saying to you a little bit, two moments ago before we had got to, before we even got started, interviews, like, sometimes I've felt very like, I've always been so forward moving and, you know, I would say that I have a large capacity. I can take on a lot of things and because I can, I feel like I should, but I've been as I've gotten older as well, started thinking, well, you know, just because I can, it doesn't mean that I should. It doesn't mean that I won't eventually, but like the pacing in one day at a time and just like being present, which I know we say it all the time, but it's really like, just like allowing yourself to like exist in the moment is so underrated, you know what I mean? But it really, when you do, time actually slows down in a way or way. Well, I look at you and you started so young and you grew up in this business, which often, I would say has a lot of people around us that also operate behind the scenes for what they specialize in. And a lot of that is about, oh, we got to get it while we can, or we feel like, or they feel like we're going to miss out on something. And it's not necessarily like that. What's for you will always be for you. Even when you say no, when you have to say no for your health or just family and shut down time, it will always still be there for you, even though that was an opportunity you said no to. I think that can keep us on the hamster wheel for so long, yeah, it's okay to take care of you. And it's also another mantra of mine these days, yeah, I really forgot to do that. I really received that. I want to get even more into that, but I want to go to the start from the beginning with you because you also started very young. Not as young as you when I first saw you, by the way, just as this young girl with so much light and vibrance, vibrancy, I was like, that is a superstar. That is a superstar. I just saw it. I knew it there. Where was this? Was this in a killer? A killer to be. A killer to be. The articulation, the energy, the voice, the tone, just all of it, you just embodied that girl. Well, girl, I knew I was a ghetto superstar because of you going up and where I'm from and Robert's Illinois, that video, I was ghetto superstar. I watched it all. And it was like a song, the song I would sing, you know what I mean? Because it's also the melody that we know. So white family functions, they would be able to get on something stuff that is much so that is just like it for me, it's so full circle. Like I love being able to get the opportunity to show and be able to meet and have real discussions with the people that I've looked up to. too for so many years. And you always have had, even though you're very beautiful, very sexy, you've always had such a wholesomeness, the puree that I think also the youth have always looked up to. You know what I mean? So as a young person watching the people on television and stuff, you were somebody that had all the things, but it was, you had such a grace about you. We've always had such a grace. And so, yeah, for me as a kid, seeing that and, you know, seeing you do that and all your dancing and everything was always really, really inspiring. So that means it means a lot to me when you say that for sure. So you're from Washington DC. Yes, ma'am. And Maryland. Okay. Now, what was it like growing up? You were here, you know, you mentioned going to musicals, being in dance. How did growing up there shape your love for the arts? Well, there's so much culture in DC, so much talent. Yeah. And we also have a huge music scene, whether it's jazz, whether it's R&B and soul, and our staple sound, go-go music. And go-go is not just music, but it's an experience when you go to the go-go. You know, it used to happen a lot in parks, outdoors, and still happens, but it's mostly indoors nowadays. But that's a staple sound for us and a very influential from me, but watching my dad as my very first influence and introduction to music was the thing for me, whether it was in the studio, and recording, and rehearsals like in our living room. Yeah. Yeah. Full garage, neighbors complaining, all that. That was my influence. I saw him perform. He had me in the nightclub like I was 12, 13. He's like, I had a death dance. If you want to sing something, go ahead. You know, so I was around all these wonderful guys and musicians that were like uncles. And my living room was lit. You know, it was joy. I would just dance and sing when they would come over. And they'd be over every week, because my dad is a gigger. He's on the road. He just had a show. Oh my gosh. I love this show. And we go out. Yeah. In his music, what is his style in vibe? He does everything. Right. Not 40, but R&B soul funk is the foundation of my living room. And my dad's music. He's a songwriter, recording artist as well. And I watched him actually press vinyl, produce his music and run his label independently. My mom would actually be the businesswoman behind the scenes, the accountant, the bookkeeper. And she's been doing that for me since 1997. Oh my gosh. We love to the day. I'm mom and I know the coins. Yeah. I'm sharing true. She didn't know about it. But she figured it out. Mrs. Theresa. I love plays no games. Yeah. So for you, it seems like music was a natural progression. And was there any point that you thought maybe you wouldn't be an artist or you always knew like, I'm going to be, I'm going to be a singer. I'm going to be a dancer. Yeah. The wild thing is my plans were to go to theater after college. Yeah. And I wanted to do Broadway. Yeah. I mean, it encompasses everything. Yes. Yeah. And that was the goal. And it just so happened. The recording career happened first, you know. Yeah. So how did that happen? I mean, so you're going to school, you're dancing in school. You're always doing, you know, what your dad did gigs, having fun at home, when did the professionalism aspect enter the story line? Well, let's start recording demos when I was about 14 in a basement studio, one of his musician friends, Stan. What up Stan? I love it. Real old school equipment, Cassio, keyboards and all that. And I just started getting acclimated to the studio just by myself as a 14-year-old. And then a year later, my parents invested $1,500 for a professional demo to be written in an original song of my own, you know. And that, I really, really enjoyed the process of having my own song, which is doing covers. I was covering a lot of Isley Brothers songs, a shotgun when I first started. But that was so great. I started sharing it with my friends. And so I now had a Maya demo, right? Oh my god. There's this independent label, University Music Entertainment, UME, founded by Hock Islam in Washington, D.C. at the time they had the Girl Gospel Group Pure Soul signed, as well as Drew Hill. Drew, yep, 1997, Drew Hill hit, they're from Baltimore. And Hock Islam at the time was looking for a female, young female artist that he could develop. And he was sort of like our mini Motown based in D.C. You know. And he signed me independently and started investing. Tell me about the call last year of high school. This culture because I'm thinking Drew Hill. You know what I'm saying? We're in D.C. We have this guy, you know, this is way year away. 96 when he came to my house to audition me, sing live. And he had already heard the demo in his office when my dad, you know, took my bio and demo tape over there. But he came to my house after school and asked me to sing live. Acapella, I sang, "Who's loving you?" Oh my gosh, Jeff, if I'm involved, who I just saw a couple of nights ago. And Monica, before you walk out my life, sang those Acapella, he was like, "We have a deal." And so I started taking voice lessons in D.C. with Kim Baker. And then went to college after I graduated University of Maryland College Park. We'll study speech communications and dance. And I had to make a decision because I was back and forth between Philly every week recording more demos for this potential album as a part of his investment. On the train, back and forth at D.C. And those demos were shopped to major labels. Some said, "No, Interscope said yes, but Interscope was not an R&B pop label. It was a rep and rock label." They were like, "Okay, we like this. We'll give it a try." And I was the test dummy. And I was not technically signed for that whole first album that came out until it worked. So on my second album, I officially signed to Interscope, but I was signed to Hawkeslan. So he developed all of us, invested in all of us, and had success. What do you remember about those early days with some of those people that weren't you on the label with? What was it like recording in the studios? What was that process? And I'm curious how much is different now? It was so wonderful because I felt like I was surrounded by a family. It was a very nice family environment with older women that I could look up to and brothers my age slightly older through Drew Hill. Everyone was a vocalist and a performer. Everyone was a musician and a songwriter. So I was surrounded by talent that I could learn from like that. And I was actually in the studio with Drew Hill. Recording my first album, they're all songwriters, producers, and musicians. Everyone plays an instrument and they're from the church too. So you get the harmonies and they study Joe to see one of my favorites. It was all around us and we were all out here for Lady of Seoul one year and 97 in Drew Hill had just popped on the scene would tell me, yeah, tell me what you want. Yeah, the excitement. And I hadn't just yet. I came out a year later, but I got to watch their success from the sidelines while I was in development. I'm recording and learning. Yeah, those are really, really great. Was there anything that was overwhelming during that time about the industry coming in? I mean, that you were, you know, that was new to you. Ha, ha, ha. You know, baby, this is geeky pola, yeah. This episode is brought to you by the brand new drinks over at McDonald's. 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The snacks are packed, somebody already has the playlist ready and you already know the music is about to be popping, okay? And the kids have been asking, are we there yet? Since before we left the driveway. As someone who travels by car frequently with our child, I know what we'll make or break that trip is what you pull up to at the end of it, because after me and Leo have been in that car for six hours, baby, we are not trying to arrive at just anything. We want to walk into a home. And that's exactly why I like booking stays on Airbnb. When you get to a place that actually feels like somewhere you can live, the whole energy shifts. Now we have a space to spread out, a kitchen where I can throw something together if I want to, a porch where I can sit, breathe and come back to myself after that drive. That's the reset you need. The trip doesn't end when you arrive. It's just getting started. And when you book with Airbnb, that's when the trip really begins. I was a teenager during that time and everything is new. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I really wasn't one to speak much. I'm an observer, and I'm probably still not that girl, and let's ask. So I was on the sidelines just observing how things work, how to conduct an interview, do radio drops, you know, the liners when you go to radio stations. All of the things, what a fitting was, Because I didn't really have much experience with that outside of, oh, dance competitions and recitals, but my mom would make all those outfits. So it wasn't a whole bunch of strangers and all the energy and all the opinions and all of the critics and all of the things. If social media were around back then, I'm not exactly sure if I had the capacity or bandwidth to handle something like that, that is a lot. For someone that's just learning themselves as a young woman and transitioning into a woman who had fresh out of high school, you know, in a very insulated environment where you don't have freedom. And so you're learning in front of the world while everybody's watching you. So thank God that social media was not out of that. I think it's cool that you said that though because I think a lot of people feel that way now and I feel that way as a grown woman. I watch everything I do because there's the world. The globe is connected to you and anything you say or do is amplified. What can also be taken the wrong way? Sound bites can be made captions and it can be very misleading and dangerous when you go outside and it can be caught outside for something that's in this construed. So it's a dangerous place out there but the world is full of love at the same time. I have to remind myself, but yeah, that could be overwhelming for any young person. Yeah. I always say that because you know, people often are like, you know, you grew up in front of the TV, blah, blah. It's like, but now everybody does. Yeah. The TV is the phone screen. So it's like, you know, you had a page when you was 12 or 13, good luck with whatever you say. Because they don't bring it back up and find you. And the thing about that time, I was a student, fresh out of high school, but I'm still a student because this business is ever changing, technology is ever changing. I got to get my 16 year old niece to teach me how to use certain parts of a phone like certain apps. What is going on? I cannot keep up. No, seriously. Seriously. From the younger generation now, it's straight out, but it teaches me everything every day. Yeah. And kids is bad. Now, your first Grammy nomination was 1998 with Ghetto Superstar and your first win was with Lady Marmalade. You know, I didn't even know that. I didn't know that Ghetto Superstar was so much. I feel like I'm just beginning, but I did not know Ghetto Superstar was nominated. Was that his album or the actual single? Yeah. Was the single. Yeah. I did not know how were you approached for that record? Okay. So, Interscope, through Universal Music, they would often do a lot of soundtracks as the distributor and they brought that to my realm as this R&B/pop artist to sort of establish me. Back then, soundtracks, and probably now they had that coin. Yes. And they need more than that. Actually, he's missing. I wish it was back. But they would always have a major single that would launch or simultaneously release with the soundtrack to promote the movie, and that was a thing back then. So, we had several opportunities to jump on lead singles for soundtracks, from the Rugrats, to Bullworth, for Ghetto Superstar, so Lady Marmalade, I mean, there are others as well-free with the bait soundtrack with Jamie Foxx, and they were lead singles where music videos were funded. And it wasn't a risk because it wasn't coming from your budget as the artist, as their budget. And it was all great because you got to make these cool fun videos that were very cinematic or even cohesive, I would say, with the film, especially take it there. Well, that was great. What was going on? How was that? I love it. Take me there. I want to go there. Grab that video. That. Yeah. Moment. Like, it was again, like I'm saying, it was like R&B was pop, but it was pure, and it was also, it was some of the kids, the grown folks, we had the picnic, we all, eh, it had much to think about. Yes. Like it gave just so much joy. So much joy. What do you remember about shooting that video or just doing that song? Jamie King was the choreographer. I showed up from somewhere, I think, in Europe. I flew in from a promotional tour, flew in the night before the shoot, learned the choreography on the set. The next day we shot, and, like, that Xylophone was so fun, because I remember the movie, I think it's called Big. And he was dancing on the piano keys, and I always wanted to do that. Yeah, I felt like a big kid, but I wasn't alone, because Black Street was there. Teddy Riley produced the record, Icon Legends, Mace was a part of it, so you had R&B and hip hop. It was awesome. Oh my gosh. That is just so freaking cool. I mean, and then you also got to perform with Patty LeBelle, obviously, because it was that lady Marmelade, which was insane. I'm sure you love that. Or was this at the Grammys that you guys saw? It's a real, yes. Yes, yes. So what do you remember with that, with the performance and being on stage with her and working with her? Well, we first saw Patty. I think it was center staging in Burbank, baby. In rehearsal. Because we're going to rehearse, you know, Miss Patty got to come with it, and she walked in, and we were just silent, we were like, this is real. The queen has arrived, and she's going to sing with us. We were kind of frozen for a minute, and then rehearsal and the music starts, and we're still pinching ourselves, because we got to show up. And this is her song originally, so we got to do it correctly. No, seriously. Yeah. And I heard that this was with Pink and Christine Aguilar, they were on there too. I heard that it was fighting for the lead singing part. Do you remember any of that? I don't. Because we actually cut our lead separately, but we were all present when we cut our backgrounds. That's what I do now. We were all there. Missy was there. Rock Wilder was there. Ron Fair was there. Yeah. I mean, I hadn't seen any of that. I wasn't a witness to any drama, so I don't know what that is, or what it's about, but we did have a lot of fun. That is so cool. And Patty was, I mean, I never, I don't think I've ever met Patty LeBale, but she do be making them pies. I know that. And I do too. I think my pies. We do. Patty pies. Yes. Patty pies. Okay. Now, one of my absolute favorite songs of yours is Case of the X. I mean, it's just like, come on. It's the classic. You performed it, obviously, at the B&T Awards. Yes. 2025, actually, which was dope to see that again. When did you realize how big that song was? Did you realize it then at the time? Honestly, recently, when TikTok was born, because there were so many different people that I had broomsticks doing these nostalgic challenges. I didn't know it was really a thing, because I didn't have that opportunity with social media to see the effect. So folks from my generation started pulling their broomsticks out, some with their parents, and doing the choreography, and rolling around on their carpet, like it was sand. Oh, there it is. Oh, there was impact to me. That's kind of cool. No, for sure. I mean, when you wrote that song, how did that song come about? Was it for just to make believe story? Was it something that you're pulling from your life? The interesting thing was, I was in Atlanta working at Red Zone Studios with Shake Spear, and Candy. They wrote several songs for Destiny's Child and so many others. Shout out to Candy. I was on tour with her two years ago. At least a very tour with Escape and SWV, but yes, amazing songwriter, but we were in a studio there working on something else for my second album. And through the walls, we heard this beat coming from another realm. Tricky Stewart's room. Tricky! And we hijacked the beat because it belonged to a rapper. And Tracy Hale, Tab, and maybe another songwriter. They wrote that record while I was working on something else. Sure, sure. And that is how Case of the X was born. And I had not experienced that just yet. And my life and relationships, thank God. But later on, it did happen. Happens to the best of us. Yeah. That's the story of Case of the X. That's so far. I love that. I mean, you also were in SAG winning ensemble project Chicago. That was amazing. Because I think, don't get me from wrong. This is the first time we saw you do everything at once, acting, singing, and dancing. Briefly. Yeah. In the movie, Queen Latifah was in there. One of my favorites as well. Yes. We had to sell blocks, hango. Yeah. How was it doing that and kind of going back to those beginning days where you wanted, you know, where you said, you know, you love Dubrawe. Well, let's talk about it. The auditioning process. I was in New York and I got a call to show up at this dance studio to learn choreography, say a monologue, and maybe recite some lines. Sure. They gave me a scenario that was no script. First, actually, I did the choreography. I had to learn it in 10 minutes and perform it together. What you could do, right? And I did. That was easy. And then what I just had to say did that, easy breezy, no script, they gave me a scenario. I said, this is the scenario you're mad at your man, husband, he's on ice. Just, you know, improvise and what you would do and how you would handle it. But just know that the outcome is you have landed in jail at the end of the scene. And at the time, thankfully I was going through something with my boyfriend. Okay. I said, excuse me. Do you have a pen? Pull the pen, smoke like a cigarette. And I started improvising. They made us improvise and I got the part. Yeah. That's cool, right? Yeah. That's a very scary audition. I don't think I've never done an audition where I just improv, I mean, I've done work sessions and stuff like that. That is a very unique way to, you know, get somebody to do that thing. Like that's very nerve-wracking very different. I hadn't been through that process at all at that time for auditions. No So I was happy about it. And then we filmed in Toronto. It was I loved really cold. It was in the middle of winter. I see Freezing frostbite two minutes outside your hands were gone, but the experience was so beautiful watching all of the actresses and learning the choreography, but Rob Marshall was involved in every single process from recording the soundtrack to the choreography, to the table reads, to wardrobe. He was a part of everything. And that is something of course I see for my future because I'm very detail-oriented as far as production, live show, etc. And I watched him and his meticulous detail-oriented nature. And I thought it was so fascinating. And he was just committed naturally. Nobody was making him do anything. He was just committed because he wanted to be there. And he was pleasant to work with. And really wanted it to just be great. I just met Rob Marshall not too long ago. And he was just, I would love to get the chance to work with someone like him because he's incredible. And his husband are incredible. So yeah, that's so cool that you guys got to work with him seriously. Would you ever do Broadway now? Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. I have some albums I want to get out first. Yeah sure. Broadway is there. It does. It shows a week as well. And I'm totally committed. And I can't wait to do it. But I do have some other things I want to get out the way first. Yeah, I love that. Now you've told people before this. I thought this was interesting and maybe give more context around it. That you said you kind of get emotional when you hear your younger voice because of everything that you endured. What do you mean by that? In the industry or just kind of like a life or maybe both? You know, I look at myself as a young girl learning who she was during a time that of course you step out in public. And part of the world knows you globally as well as things begin to succeed. And hopefully they do. And then what that looks like internally for you. With so many opinions that I mentioned earlier, and how to navigate that process and hold on to you as you're learning you. And figuring that out that can be very tough if you don't have people around you that have your best interest. Versus just trying to profit off of what you are to them a product and a brand. And I understand that too because there's business, there's art. And they can intersect. And so learning how to define what success is for yourself. What beautiful is for yourself and create a space where you feel safe, where you feel seen. Yeah. Even if you have to create it in the mirror with you, I get emotional because I was just so young with no life experience. But then there was a part of me that was very kick ass as a child of the arts, strict teachers, they're instilling discipline. And so when I look back, it's not because I was going through anything in particular except for a divorce at the launch of my very first single. Whereas my parents were my managers and I couldn't have them around me anymore because it wasn't working out between them. And so now you're around strangers. There are worse things that are happening in the world but I'm very proud of myself for pushing through with resilience with faith and that foundation because I was alone. I didn't have a person that had my best interest at that time around me physically. And so I'm just around strangers. And so that's where I get emotional looking at that young girl in the fighter who did make it. Yes. I know exactly what you're saying. And it's always that with hindsight. When we look back on our lives and also think about all the amazing things that are happening at different points in time. And whether we could actually embody the spirit of experiencing them at that time, which I think sometimes doesn't necessarily make it sad. But it just has a, I don't know if it's a sobering feeling, but I relate to it where I look at different moments of my life as well. Where I'm just like, man, it was so much happening then. But I see it from such a different place that maybe I couldn't have seen it from then, which is very interesting. But you've had such a unique relationship. I think with the music industry, even just being so, I wouldn't say corporate, but dealing with the industry head on and then eventually going independent. How did you, what prompted those changes for you? Because I know for me working in the music industry, it can be very tough. And I think as time has changed, some doors have been a little bit more opened up that allow you to not have to go through the same gatekeepers or just the same systems and lean on the same things. But in the early 2000s and the late 90s, it was like, you're going to do it this way or then it becomes difficult. So for you, I'm wondering what was that journey like with the industry and how you had to shift gears if you felt that you did. Yeah. Well, I was with the major label system from 1998 through 2007. There was an album leak for my fourth album liberation that happened in 2007. And from there, you know, I had the choice to go to court just to get a little back in advance. That was owed to me because it technically came out or just go independent, whatever that was. I was not familiar with that meant. But I do know this. I was always an artist. Yeah, prior to getting a record deal. And the beautiful blessings that happen in times of uncertainty or devastation leads to some amazing things. And I did get an offer to do a one territory release in Japan through a label over there, even though that's not what I wanted because I had an album do that I'd already announced and done press for and oh, nothing, it was shelved. That's painful after you invest your own time, your money, your spirit and some of your experiences into that and you pour into it for a year and a half. And it doesn't come out. You feel like you've disappointed the world, your fans and the narrative is not clear. So I went independent and within less than a year, I put my very first independent project out in Japan, sugar and spice. And then the next year, I've dropped another independent mixtape for, you know, the fans states that with a lot of features on it and partner with rapper lot as well as young empire and planet and I my label to do that went back to Japan. I did another album over there, but then I turned it into a US Canada as well as world version. So there was like three versions of that. There was also a double disk for the first album that I did. And then it got very addictive because it became fun. I started learning other aspects of the business, contract drafting, engineering, publishing splits and really in a boutique way. Under the radar way, learning other hats to wear and understanding, first of all, all of the roles of the major label system. And I'm still learning to this day. In a way that I could still be productive versus destructive, swaddling my fingers, waiting for something to happen. I just moved forward. And I haven't stopped or looked back when people like prince call you and be like, ah, stay independent. And this is why. And then they start talking about their journey and the importance of like protecting your peace and not understanding what they mean initially, but then seeing it show up later. And it's been a beautiful fun rewarding, fulfilling journey in so many ways that I never even imagined. Yeah, what do you mean when you say that when it shows up later, like what would be those internal things that you can say that you feel comfortable saying that make the major system not something that works and aligns with you. Well, both work because I had a beautiful label system. You know, there are things that happen leaks. You know with the internet that was born, that's what happens. Yeah, it happens. And then the investment is tampered with and compromise. There's nothing bad that I have to say about the major label system because they birthed me and they're responsible for those hit records and investments. But there was a situation that did happen and I just didn't want to spend the energy in court fighting and fighting for something that I mean lawyers would probably absorb anyway. That's not true fee wise. So I just kept it moving, but what people like the icon prints say when they pull the next generation along for wisdom is where are you investing your money right now? Are you spending it on things? You don't need to worry about what type of house you want to live in right now. Let's talk about how you're going to invest in you. Okay, what does that look like? Who are your inspirations? What is your niche just from an artistic standpoint? Yes. And then how are you going to make it happen? Get sure together because you must tour, right? Yes. To do this. But there's all other ways of business. There are brands, there's brand partnerships, etc. And teams, independent teams that believe in you, but most of all spirit. Do you love this? Why are you doing this in the first place? What drives you? Is it fame or is it return of investment immediately because that's not going to happen? You know, just giving you real game and real knowledge on how this thing works and pulling you to the side to say, I believe in you. But let's take the back door or build the door if the door is closed over here and you don't need to chase because what does happen when you're not counting age or year? time and on everyone else's timeline, you begin to operate as that child or kid in high school where everything was just happy, go lucky and now you're making music from a pure place, whether it's for your therapy or for what matters the most, people. And now you're back in that pocket that made you fall in love with music in the first place in the purpose of it, which is to connect, to bring joy, not numbers, not sales, not algorithms, not all of the technicalities, which are beautiful, but there's also, there has to be, because I think time is powerful because I even remember working with Tricky Stewart and we were talking about you and he was like, everybody always wanted Maya, meaning musically, like as an artist you've always been and you've always had an energy about you where it's like, I'm going to lean in when I get ready. How do you, how does someone have that? Because so many people, you know, want that, you know, want to be what the major labels are putting into, you know, they want to be somebody that is a commercial artist, they want, and you have had all of that, both types of success, but how do you get to the point of being like, this is what's important, because this is what, you know, people are, that's like what people think that what's going to validate what they're doing, their time, their money, you know, how do you get there? You hit it on the right nail, you hit it on the nail validation. So we operate from that place and life regardless of the industry that we sign up for to survive, right? Or to fulfill a dream. And I think when devastation or tragedy strikes a family or an individual, life humbles you really quickly. And then you begin to see through a different lens versus everyone else's lens around you that are defining everything for you, that beauty, the success, it may just be numbers and technicalities versus does this feel right? Am I changing someone else's life? Are they impacted by my lyrics? Or is this just aesthetics right now and marketability? Because I'm a teenager, etc. So you begin to find yourself through devastation and being humble, because when everything is stripped from you, the home, you know, the family that you once had, whether it's the system, the major label system that, you know, surrounded you with a big hug and investment. And now it's just you, with the world looking at you, but also with expectations and judgment and criticism, you then begin in that very hard place. And sometimes it can get a little dark to redefine everything you thought you were if you got lost in the sauce. And what's important and what you want it to be. And some people are just not afforded that time. So I look at that moment as the greatest blessing for me to get re-centered and redefined so that I can move forward from that pure space. And that's success to me. Even though, oh, yeah, I've heard all of the things like, oh, you washed up now. You fell off and all these things that will happen. But that's not what I do this for. And it's not something that I ever understood. And that's not why I signed up in the first place. But you can start governing your life and navigating from that space because of all the noise around you that in a standard way is just the way to speak to you. So you start adopting those ideologies that are false anyways because it's based on man-made stuff, not God covers stuff. Yeah. And just the institution, you know, it's like it's like just because somebody didn't get an A in the class, it doesn't mean they're stupid. Like this, these concepts that are defined by structures and systems that again, A, may not even align with you, but absolutely don't validate what is true for you. Yes. And it can be a very dangerous place. You don't know yourself or you're not spiritually grounded or don't have that spiritual experience to start tapping in. And luckily I have had to do that. And I'm so grateful for it. Yeah. Because it can be lonely too. A lot of people don't understand that I find not lonely in a bad way, but just sometimes I find with the with the awareness, especially in our field, when you have that awareness where you're not going into the boxes. Because I feel the sex act same way. You know, in my career, a lot of people have been like, oh, you know, you're, you're supposed to be this type of person and this type of entertainer and this type of talent. And it's not like I'm against that. But that's never, I've always seen myself as an entrepreneur as a brand. I want to do many things. And there are many moments in my career that I can name where that devastation has happened where, you know, oh, I'm not the child actor anymore. I'm not on the hit show. You know, you're washed up or doing social media and people saying, why are you on social media doing this? Why are you coming up with these characters and doing all this stuff? Or you need to go back to the big screen and finding my voice, what was true to me and my craft and my art. And it's just interesting because, you know, I'm always trying to figure out how to express that truth to others that are finding themselves in this space, in this world where they're trying to define what is a value of them, what is true to them. And there's no, that anchoring is like an interpersonal journey. Yes. That no one can really give you the answer to. But it does include some isolation, some where people where people are not seeing things from the same vantage point you are. But you've got to be brave. You know, absolutely. And you also have to have the bravery to step away and take some time to figure out where you like to govern your life and career from. Yeah. And that can be scary as well, because of the opinions, etc. But one day at a time, like I said earlier, there's no rush. You must enjoy the journey. Yeah. I really, really love that. I want to talk a little bit more about Prince in just in terms of how y'all met. I mean, he's not somebody or anybody, you know, everybody get a chance to talk to us at least, you know what I'm saying. So what was that like meeting him and, you know, what did y'all, what did you get to know about it all? I met Prince before I was independent. I had attended one of his concerts and I believe it was New Jersey. But then there was an after party in New York. And he wanted to meet me. I'm like, oh my goodness. He knows my name. I just actually released my love. I was like, wow, tap dance. He loved tap dance. That video. And I think that's what it was. There was, you know, musicality and some really some heavy masterclass training behind that. That maybe he acknowledged, but he wanted to meet me. I'm like, if I ever meet Prince, I've got to be Prince. In order to have a conversation with his fans, you know, and I got to be cool. So I just had to put on this persona like I was just cool. And I was dying all over the place inside. Yes, I can only imagine trying to keep my composure, sweaty hands. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. And he had some heels on. It was like fabulous. He was like, would you rock this? I'm like, yes, please. I probably can't fit him. But because he looked like he was a size six. Six, yeah. But it was amazing. And I was just on this natural high all night thinking that I'd just met someone that I didn't even know. Yeah, would know my name or that I even exist by what? So many instances like that. I'm so grateful for. Did you guys talk any about ever how you guys grew up and just your background? Because I know you, you, I didn't really cover it much here. But when I was reading, I was hearing about your upbringing and just dealing with identity and, you know, your mother, I know your mother's a talent in your father's black. And just I'm curious if you guys ever shared anything about that. We didn't. It was more so about the independency when we actually had more in-depth conversations. Yeah. I'd gone independent. And so when you heard about that, he's like, okay, I got to make sure that she's well informed about some of the things that I do know in other ways of business models, etc. So those were more of the conversations or creative and sometimes spiritual even diet. Prince was vegan and there were different occurrences, even jam sessions. I got to participate in those. It was great. So he passed me a base and he said, play it. And I grew up playing violin, right? And so I had to figure it out. So music playing in the background, but it's Prince. Yeah. Like you cannot, you can't have too left feet or sweaty hands. Speaking of just quickly, I have to do a shout out of my love is like, well, because that that video girl, and I think, you know, we always knew you could dance and everything like that. But I remember watching that. It was a teenage. I don't know how old I was, but I remember watching that and being like, no, she's serious. Like, I could not believe the level of just talent in that video. What made you do that video that way? Was it because you wanted to just like everybody know real quick? Like, let me flex and y'all real fast. Honestly, I wanted dancers and all this other stuff in the video initially. But when they said, no, we just want a one woman show. Okay, what am I going to do? And it was more so about the outfit changes. I said, okay, I get that, but it can't just be about fashion. So let's come with the characters. Let's come with a little different, you know, aspect of dance. And maybe I should throw some tap in there because I haven't done that visually. I wanted to do it for my very first album on a song called We Go Make You Dance, but that was never a single. And so I said, maybe this is the perfect opportunity since it's going to be slightly theatrical. I can bring Broadway to my music. Yeah. Visuals. Fab you love so. Indeed. Speaking of my love is like, well, you married yourself in 2013. Which by the way, me too. I married myself in 2025. I feel. It was all accidental, but I love it here. I want to hear your story. I need everybody to hear me clearly. You do not need a milestone to enjoy yourself. I said what I said. Society has us out here waiting for promotions, engagements, and New Year's Eve to twist open something nice. Meanwhile, I'm over here with the chilled glass of Stellarosa black because I remember to water my plants three days in a row. That's growth, literally. And the flavor, sweet, smooth, rich, bold, deep berry, black berry, blueberry raspberry, all sitting together like a real housewives reunion where everybody kept their glass in their hand. This is wine for everyone 21 and up who understands that sometimes the celebration is the random Wednesday or the quiet night in or the I finished my laundry and put it all away in one day, victory lap. You are the occasion. So please act accordingly. Head to Stellarosa.com to find your favorite flavor, your next occasion, which is literally whenever you decide is already taken care of because baby, this is Stellarosa. And please, please, please drink responsibly. Let me walk you through my Tuesday. I woke up and immediately had to decide what to wear to a meeting, what to feed my son, whether I'm taking the call from my car or rescheduling, and it's not even 8 a.m. yet. By noon, I've made 100 decisions and I'm already over it. So the things in my life that don't require me to think, those are sacred. That's exactly what Fruit of the Loom women's underwear is for me. I open the drawer, I grab a pair, and I already know it's going to be comfortable and fit right. There's no guessing, no adjusting, no, let me try another pair moment. It just works. When your whole day is full of decisions that actually need your energy, having that kind of simplicity in your routine creates real peace of mind. And trust me, that feels really, really good. Fruit of the loom proves that symbol feels really good. Girl, I was just a music video. Thank you, because some, I just said, that was just a bit of, yeah, please hear my story. You know, it's so interesting, because a lot of times people pull these things from me on the internet, and they'll be just thinking, and they think I'm crazy, or I don't know, I find that sometimes people may even think like, is she hopeless in love? Is she bitter about love? But I'm not. I think I, I think I reach, I have a son, and I reached a point in my life for me where, when I was younger, I think I was spending a lot of time thinking there was a certain way that I should be to get the goal I wanted. And growing up with my parents being married, all my life, it was very much like, that's the thing, because that's what I saw, that's what I knew. It was beautiful. They've always loved each other. They've always had a great relationship. I've admired. And so I would think, okay, this is how I should be, and this is, if I do this, and I do X, Y, and Z, then this is the outcome I'll get. But you experience life, and you see that life is actually not a, like, a merit system, unfortunately. And this goes across the board. Like, unfortunately, being a good person doesn't mean you're going to get a great job. You know, having a nice attitude doesn't mean you're going to have the best friends. You know, being loving doesn't mean you're going to receive love. And so then my faith and my choice to live with integrity came less from thinking that I was going to get a reward from it. And more from just, that's who I am, and that's what aligns with me. And then it leaves me in this place of not not being open to love and things like that. But just not centering my life around the result of getting it in a certain way. And so when I say certain things, I find it to be interesting, the people's responses to it, whether I say, you know, I'm here for love, but we don't need to be in the same house, you know, or, you know, I would love to, you know, be interested in somebody. But also, I'm cool if it never happens. It's interesting. Almost, I don't want to say projections, but the responses that you can get as a woman to say that and really mean that, you know, and it's almost like because you don't feel like that's the ultimate goal you've somehow given up. But it's like, what, well, what if we were to say that, like, there are a bunch of outcomes, you know, there are a bunch of things. So, you know, I never know how serious, you know, you are when you're saying these things sometimes, but I love it because I feel the idea that people think I'll eventually change my mind, you know, or that, or that's just something needs to happen for me. It's like, but I am hopeful in love. I do feel these things, but also my life is going to be good regardless. I do. And it starts with self. And sometimes things that are foreign to people, they're not quite understood. And so also there's projection over their lives from generations, but also society, and we grow up in a world that has this timeline for us, that we must all conform to. And they've created the picture, which is so far removed from ancestral community, as well as lifestyle, from the food we eat to how we pray and commune together. Society now has placed this, I'd say, brainwash effect over all of us. And so we only know what we have been taught. And to unlearn anything, or look at something that's much different, or slightly different, is a shock to our system. And it's easy to criticize it and judge it and think something is wrong with that person. But we're all different on different timelines, and we have different journeys and experiences, and trauma to unpack it, etc. But it's speaking of your journey, thank you for that, because I didn't even know, but I understand you also get the comments. When your intentions are just pure honest, raw, real, from your experience, and then there's arguments in the comments. But I'll share mine. And so there was a music video, there's a wedding dress, and a music video, which we all understand. What that means, the white wedding dress, we've all been indoctrinated to believe that that is the happily ever after moment, where someone comes into our life and completes it. Right? And sometimes that's the goal. Yes. Because that's what we've been taught from the beginning of watching films, where we've given up a gift to receive a kiss from a guy, or be chosen, before we even choose ourselves. And so when I made that video, and that song called The Truth, I knew that I wanted to marry myself in the video as an example of self-love. And this had nothing to do with man, not liking man, or being upset, or trauma. It had, you know, why would I expect anyone to come into my life if I'm not right with in? So let's get you together. And then watch what happens, which is where I'm at in my life. When I have practiced self-love, which was the message, that's all. It was no deletion of anything, or anyone. It's a message of self-love. I choose me right now, because I haven't in the past, and I'm forwarding to others, narcissistic, by the way. And I didn't like me in those situations. And when I chose to marry myself spiritually, I didn't have a ceremony with a white wedding dress, but I did in a music video, because that's an aesthetic. It was still the message of love yourself, pour into you, and watch what you attract, or the blessings will come from that place. But please don't expect to live up to this fantasy, or even seek in another person or human being. Be everything that you seek, you know. And then beautiful things happen from that place. And so I am surrounded by love years and years later. All kinds of love. And it doesn't necessarily have to be tied to one person as society teaches us. And so that's just an inkling of my story when I started practicing self-love, because I was neglecting self prior to. I feel like these are such empowering themes and things to think about in the face of like just life and love and moving forward and expectations. And I find it to be so interesting, the resistance that can come from these types of things. I'm so curious what comments we going to be getting under this video, because it's like to me, that's like that feels actually more empowering than it's going to come someday. Or whatever that is, you know. And that's just individualistic to you and your experience in your story. It's not preaching this is the way you have to do it. No, because I really truly believe you don't have to have yourself together for love to be granted in your life. Sure. Sometimes I could be at the worst place in my life and someone does show up. Yeah, it doesn't necessarily have to be my husband, but they're beautiful people in this world. And sometimes we classify love and give that a ceiling and seek it in just one individual to make ourselves this so-called complete. Actually, we already are complete as we come into this world. Existing is good enough as you are. Nothing else, nothing more. Yeah. And we're always seeking in this world of society because we've been programmed to do such. And that's where I was when I was making a song. Yeah, I love that. That's where I am too. That's where I am. And to me, it's a beautiful [BLANK_AUDIO] to be happy in your own company. There's nothing weird about that. Hey, I'm down for other company, but just act right when you get here. (laughing) Know how to act. Clean up after yourself and go home. (laughing) - Amen. - So obviously, I'm very sad that I miss you on tour with Brandy and Monica. - Oh. - That makes me actually very devastated. 'Cause that was like, come on, big three. (laughing) It was everything. So how was the tour? - I mean, how you came onto it? I know sorry that when he long was not feeling well, we hate that, but I love that you were on the tour. How was that experience? I mean, you had to get ready fast, but you always stay ready, so. - Yes, I did get a call because, hey, things happen. We all are human and love to money long who killed the tour. Yes, well, everyone was just so beautiful, welcoming, warm, and I was just so excited to, first of all, see the ladies. - Yeah, myself, as a fan and a spectator, to be able to watch supporters that grew up with us, recite every word, every ad lib. - Yeah, yeah. - And see them receive their flowers because they as young teens that were recording at 11 years old, and popping on the scene at 15. Globally, setting the record and setting the stage and the bar for one name recording artists. There were females and young teenagers at that. I came a little later in '98, but I loved every moment of that and beautiful, timeless songs with composition. I'm talking about bridges, modulations, vamps, I mean. - That was awesome. - It was so beautiful to see the NM to perform together, Renny Amonaka, and Kelly Rowland as well. - Yeah, she's amazing. - She's just beautiful. And celebration of black music and black women that have been in this game for decades and still going and looking and sounding amazing. So I was blessed and privileged to be there, honored, of course. It was last minute. - Yeah, yeah. - I don't know if you want to know the backstory about that 'cause it's kind of funny. - Yeah. So, this was Maya's self-love time to take off from touring, 'cause I'm always on the road, you know? And I love to do what I do, no complaints. I'll go in down to Florida. My dad has a place down there to take some me time. I was gonna start training. Get my diet right, and I had this bottle of detox, right? - What was it? - A detox. Okay, as all natural ingredients. - I'm scared. - I'm trying to recalibrate my system. You know, I eat a lot of vegan food, but processed sometimes on the road. - Yeah, sure. - Going, going, going. So I'm like, we gotta get this together. You're going into your birthday month. And I knew you were very strong. We gotta start now. So I was planning on taking some time off to get into my flow. - Yeah. - So I had my alarm set for 1 p.m. to take this detox bottle. And you have to be stationary for 24 hours or more. Because you're gonna be on the toilet tonight. - Oh, no, this is very correct. (laughing) - I gotta call it 12.30. - Can you be in Chicago tonight? I'm like, to do it. The boy is mine. (laughing) - I said, huh? - Can I do it from the toilet? - I said, well, the dancers in LA, they're not gonna make it in time. I said, let me look at flights real quick. I went on Expedia. (laughing) Come on, Expedia, right? - There was a flight. And I'm not talking about Miami, Florida or Tampa, Florida. This is a whole different part of Florida where you only might get two flights. - There was one flight, nonstop that got me there. I said, all right, if you want me to do this, I don't have any outfits. I've already worn the outfit that I'm wearing in Chicago. I wore it at a birthday party. It was somebody that sent my album. (laughing) In Atlanta, I said, well, that's all I got. Let me see if I can make it work. And I packed my bags real quick. Got my Uber to the airport. The airport's so tiny there. And I made it. They were like, okay, you have a hotel room? I said, no, give me an office because I'm gonna be down to the wire to do my hair. My makeup, I gotta sew my pack on so that I can hear. And there was a-- - Yes! - And I hit the stage, no sound check, no rehearsal. I don't even know what the stage looks like. There's no sound on stage in Chicago. My in-ear is not working. - No! - There's a runway though. So I am making my way to the diamond point during my set because I can't hear anything. Like, oh my gosh, I'm gonna be off key. I'm gonna be on the showroom and sound crazy. They're gonna rip me to pieces. So I just kind of stayed all the way. - Jesus, they're gonna reap me to pieces. - In order for me to get a feed of music, I stayed in front of the front of house speakers that the audience was hearing 'cause nothing was working on stage. There were no floor monitors. I'm like, what? Oh my gosh, what did I sign up for? And it went over well. - Of course it did. Of course it did. And then they were like, oh, we'll see you in Kansas City tomorrow. Excuse me? I don't have any clothes. So I literally borrowed my road managers jacket. And I had happened to have like this leather cat suit that I didn't wear for another festival. In my carry on, stuck to another pair of leather pants. - I love all the leather pants. - It's crazy, right? 'Cause I'm vegan, right? - So that's what happened. And then here I am. And I, you know, go back on the tour for probably about eight more dates or something like that. In between, there was a break. And I didn't know if I was gonna get called again. So I just did the first two shows initially, just on a fly. - But that's the whole thing, really. And I didn't have to set, like that's really anything. - And I wasn't already. - You said it even early in this, but I made it happen. - With this whole touring, like you tour a lot. And then anybody that's a touring artist would know that that is really, really hard. You know, I've gone on tour and it's fun. It's cool 'cause I get to be with the fans, but like, it's a lot. The traveling and the getting everything ready. - I was literally editing my set and pro tools at the airport. - That's crazy. - Here y'all go. She's saying, here y'all go. - But came saw, conquered, and looked good on the stock. Well, let's talk about ASAP on the new album, Retrospect. Congratulations. - Thank you. - This is your 10th studio album. - It is. - Oh, how does that feel? - It feels great, you know, I'm just getting started. I'm also in my room with woman era now. - Yeah. - Thanks a little different. And I have a lot of places to pull from. Like has been lived. (laughs) - And. - This album is very intentional. - Yeah. - I'm taking it back to a time that I fell in love with music to my living room. When I was in, probably diapers, and my mom's high heel, die high, go go boots, dancing to vinyl collections of Rick James, you know, Shalimar, cool in the gang, Camille, Stevie Wonder, a lot of fun fans. - Camille. - Yeah, Prince, of course, vanity six. That time of joy, my mom is a roller skater. And so you're going to get all of that, but you're also going to get some introspection on some of the ballads in the mid-temples. So ASAP is one of those, retrospect, but also introspective ballads that, you know, express urgency of communication to either save a relationship or part ways, whatever y'all are going to do. This is necessary because I feel the changes in this dynamic. So ASAP is the very first single of this year. The remix dropped featuring 21 Savage. Oh, crazy. - Yeah, you know, two different worlds. - Yes, this one sings. - Makes me think about Old Arty Bass, isn't it? - And R&D and hip-hop, Kalaz. You know, that's something that's been very present in my career, so I'll take it back to that part of my life and career too, but in a different type of way, you know, two different generations, two different genres. And I love the male perspective on this record, 'cause we didn't get that before in the solo mix. - Yeah, so you get to, you know, get a little ball of best, best of both worlds. - Excuse me. - I love that. You said that this album feels like a bridge between the past and the future. And then what inspired the sound? I know you said a little bit of just like, when you grew up, all those old-school artists that you grew up listening to. But what about conversation-wise? - Conversational music. - Yeah. - Well, this specific era that I'm leaning into is like late '70s and to mid '80s, even late '80s. And that was a time that it was very expressive. The lyrics hit deep in the gut, it was very real, it was very raw, it was very honest, but the music composition, like those bridges that I mentioned earlier, the vamps, the ad-libs, and the lyrics, you know, even if it is a game of cat and mouse, there's intention in every lyric here. And what I would actually say, as Maya, the person, and the grown woman. So you're gonna hear the growth vocally, of course, but how I handle certain situations. And then how I handle pressure, how I handle those uncertain moments in a relationship as well, but also the joy. The joy of my living room, the joy of the cookouts that we used to have, the joy of the skating rink, the couple skate aspect that I witnessed when I saw couples on the floor, and how they interacted, and when people used to dance together, that's the type of sound. And it's hosted by D. Nice, by the way. - Oh, love D. Nice. - Shout out to D. Nice. - For the culture. - Yeah, and what a culture. - In the industry for three decades, started out as a teenager. You know, you're saying like Maya, the grown woman, what in just few words, you know, 'cause obviously that's different for everybody. What does that look like for you in evolution of who we, you know, first met you as? - For me personally, evolution is a blessing if you've gotten to. Take it day by day and see year after year and still just be here as a human being alive That's the greatest gift and then to watch yourself grow It giving yourself grace to be able to mess up because nothing is perfect. Nothing looks perfect nor is it supposed to That's a big learning lesson that I also have to pull from from my past While I move forward in my future that it's okay to be a little messy. It's okay to fall in your face It's okay to have these so-called failures that lead to your lessons that lead to your blessings that lead to your application and Ultimate success and settling or becoming seasoned and knowing what you want or not what you want and you also are allowed to change Change courses change paths change desires. You do not have a ceiling over you and it starts with your mind So the younger self teaches me a lot And I'm a fighter and I'm very very proud of myself for weathering the storms But that's less to do with the industry and more so my faith and foundation Yes retro speck it is out now it drops this spring. Yes, the spring is so excited and You know when we were talking earlier we mentioned now, you know listening to your voice back when you were younger I'm just curious because I didn't get a chance to ask this because you were like, you know How it made you feel sometimes to listen to your voice when you're younger. How do you feel about when you hear your voice when you're younger now? My singing voice. Yeah, is it different? You have a different in terms of retro specked. Is it you know different? How you hear yourself now? Oh, I love my voice as is now. Yeah, there's been a lot of growth But also the voice changes with maturity. Yeah, and I'm honestly a true alto And choir I was a second soprano But I was singing in the range of first soprano on my very first few albums. Yeah, you know Yeah, we're more so crafted for me. Yeah, especially on the debut album. Yeah And so I was singing in this very uncomfortable tongue because I'm really a true rich alto Yeah, and people didn't ever really hear much of that for me And so I'm leaning more into my alto Yeah, you're still gonna get the soprano because I do harmonies and backgrounds and all of that stuff, but The younger of Maya, you know, she was a baby. I look at myself when I was 16 as a 12 year old As far as like vocal maturity, okay, sure compared to now. Yeah, you know, I'm owning everything I'm in the studio producing and arranging and editing and all the things every mix session So I know exactly what I want to hear and also because I have my own studio It's the way I want it to be versus oh the clock the budget ran out. No We're gonna get this right to a level where I want to play it in my car over and over and over and over and it's Shareable to me. So that's a part of the independency that I really love as far as the Creative freedom and execution because sometimes you're not allowed to when you're working on someone else's budget That's not yours. No, it's a hundred percent. Yeah, I saw the younger Maya voice was a little crunchy to me It is no shade to my girl Too much on my girl shade to my younger self Because I like the way I sound now. I love how you sound now, too, but I also love You always eight, but it's so I agree with you when I listen to a lot of my I'm just I think every artist would all like this Yeah, I guess what we're kind of like what's best is what's today y'all get into it. Yeah, it really is though Okay, I know I got to get up out of here. I want to play a quick game. The game is really quick. I swear girl So I'm sorry that I just occupied all your time, but the meeting is a big greet. I don't know what you thought This is the meeting greeting. I got some stuff for you to sign Okay, it's not always big game with my guess. This is called vibe or super relative and a few iconic artists are in here So you tell me what first comes to mind is all fun. No shade all fun No rankings. So who has the moat, but also it's hard blame the producers not me So who has the most untouchable vocals when Houston or I carry patty lebell Why are you doing it? You can't even pick it really off of what you got to pick it up. Who makes you pay for me I can't do that. It's hard. I'm gonna be drugged through the mud when I I'm gonna be drugged through the mud online. I can not sweet me. I love everybody. No Okay, who made you believe and love the most baby face and neither baker. Mm-hmm. Look the bad draws. Oh The hand is killing me. My goodness. I'm gonna say Luther. Yeah, I'm gonna say Luther because that was my first Occurrence and experience. You know, I was introduced to Luther before I was baby face. Yeah, what was the other name? It was a need a baker. You know, we love a need. She's always I was listening to Luther first Through my dad because you know, he's the singer. So he would sing Luther before I heard him ever sing any any of the bakers So I'll say Luther. I love Luther. Everyone is great on the list. Yes Okay, who had the best era defining run? Mary J. Blige Brandy are Tony Braxton. That is I mean runs for days brandy. I think they mean like um, oh run, you know Oh, of course, I'm thinking about vocal eddies. The runs are brand And we're talking about runs vocal edlet runs brandy. This is how I said that again We're talking about the best career. Yeah, like and I guess really like What uh who had the best era defining run like the run that defined them and the era of the artist We know them who are today like I feel like Mary J. Blige had to I feel like she had one where it's like that I'm not gonna cry. I'm not gonna share no tears and the just fine era Then we had like obviously brandy Full moon air, you know, if Tony Braxton the short hair her put that on the mat, you know One thing I'm gonna say Is Mary J. Blige was at the beginning of the birth of hip hop And R&B fusion which is a template for us all today, and she was the first as far as I know In the 90s we're all of that excitement that we all felt and that culture and that divide but intersection where Things were just birth and not just music leave. I'm talking about fashion The hair the nails the makeup the presentation and I remember that being Just this very incredible moment for the culture that I don't think was duplicated because she set that bar and she created that space So I'm gonna go with Mary J. Blige I don't think I'd agree more. I feel that Lang that foundation in way about Mary J. Blige and honestly people ask me I thought about this just now People ask me, oh is there somebody life story that you want to do Mary J. Blige? Mm-hmm. I would like to marry life if they ever do Mary they ever do your life. I'm gonna be real love Look I'm tired of y'all. I don't know what she was saying, but I'm ready to act I'm ready for that wrong and those songs are so timeless Because she's still touring Today and those songs are just so dynamic, you know, live bands. You can just sing along, you know, and you feel it Let's get a crunk of fun. Come on, Dancery. Okay, last two. Who has the most emotional voice? This is hard. Shade, Alia, Erica Badoo Emotional, emotional is an interesting word to use for there Mm-hmm. I'm gonna say Erica Badoo has the most conscious voice where I'm learning Alia has a very soothing tone where I feel relaxed like I love his look like my nervous system is not over the pace, but I'm gonna say Shade surprisingly and people probably don't think of emotional When you're not hearing gospel music, right? Yeah, yeah, Shade has a lot of emotion in her lyrics And her tone. It is so hard to do and a lot of it is linear. Yes, but there's something very emotional with Her register and so I'm gonna say Shade. I don't know why for me. Hi was it was Shade? I was like trying to think about our voice in there, and that's what came out girl. I don't know why okay last thing Who feels the most time was this one's gonna upset you so just get ready Stevie Wonder Prince Maxwell The most timeless Um the most time I would say to Stevie Wonder for sure that was quick now why Stevie well, Stevie Wonder makes sense actually I think he recorded his very first album. He was like 11 years old and There's so much intention behind every lyric every instrument But he also sees through a different lens that none of us do and he speaks and creates his art from a very spiritual place and Also views the world from that place and we could learn a lot from him And when I listen back to all of the jams that I grew up listening to there's so much magic In his lyrics and you can hear the intentional aspect of that but also the global nature Yeah, and I've seen Stevie Wonder live in a whole different country bringing the world together all ages so many different races backgrounds And the impact of his music It's so great It will be here forever, you know, and it's not salacious. It's it's it's not riskate It's very meaningful and it will change your consciousness and your frequency. So Stevie Wonder. Yeah, I feel the same I mean, I feel this way about a lot of artists but when you were just saying that right now and then bringing up the frequency I often feel this way about earth and wind and fire All the time and these stuff is about to take you to the stratosphere. Oh, yeah, literally put you in a meditative you know what I mean like Okay, this is the last one for real. Who inspired the current current generate? This is really the last one. Who inspired the current generation the most? Janet Jackson, Beyonce, Alicia Keys. I'm gonna say Janet Jackson. - So current generation, please define that. - Current generation, you know, I guess we would consider what are the current generation of artists today? We would talk about summer walker, SZA, we would talk about Kailani, who else would, who else is out? Bryson Tiller, LMA, Bryson Tiller, LMA, SZA, Kailani, summer walker, Jeanet Ico, that's kind of the, if I'm thinking about current generation. And obviously it depends on who you're listening to. But if we're talking about R&B, I guess that's who I, you know what I mean? - That's a tough question because artists are so, artists are influenced by so many. - Yeah. - You know, an archive of artists, and I don't necessarily know style-wise who they're influenced by. - Yeah. - But I will say because Janet has been there way before we were even at thought, and laid a blueprint. She's an influence to everyone after her that has existed, that may be more possibly influential today because of their presence. And so I have to start with the blueprint, but I don't necessarily know, depending on the artists, and who they're studying. - But that's exactly what I'm using, is Janet Jackson. I would say Janet Jackson, for the exact same reason you said, because the influence has impacted over such a great amount of time, that sometimes if you don't even know when they are inspired by her, for instance, somebody will be saying, "Oh my gosh, I look up to Britney Spears like I'm so inspired by her." - And so if you're inspired by her, you're inspired by Janet. - You know, like that type of thing, which I think is really cool because it's like, that to me is like the greatest sign of influences that it is, the elements are hodgepodge then, and you might not always know where it's coming from, where, but it's like, if you see it, if you know it, you'll see it, you know? - Absolutely. - That's a tough question as an artist, you know? - Yeah, it is. - It is, all of them was. - Absolutely, but everyone on that list is very influential. - Yeah, for sure, I couldn't agree more. Well, I said this came to an end. I had a lot of fun and I learned a lot too. I don't love you so much. - I love you too. - I think we're first met at the 2024 essence. I think for the first time in person. - Yes, yes, yes. So I'm so glad that I have that picture in my cell phone. - Yeah. - Thank you so much for coming seriously, and being here and talking and just as well. - Absolutely. Thank you so much for having me, Kiki. - Kiki with Kiki. (laughs) (upbeat music) - Talking to Maya was so special. I mean, 10 albums deep and she's still showing us what growth, evolution, and self-love really look like. In an industry that can be tough, especially on black women, she's proof that you can do it your way and still win. Thanks for hanging with us. We'll see you next time on Baby. This is Kiki Palmer. ♪ Baby, this is Kiki ♪ ♪ Baby, this is Kiki Palmer, yeah ♪