Listen Live

If you do great work and you invest your time and provide people with something of quality you don’t have to worry about anything because the work comes. I’ve been able to travel to more places in the world because I go above and beyond and I’m always booked. And it’s never changed. I’ve been more places than when I was on a major label.

It’s very demanding and it’s almost impossible to have a personal relationship because of the extra things I have to do. I’m talking about being a travel agent, being a lawyer, being an agent,  being whatever you have to be – the choreographer, the producer, the graphic artist because that’s what it takes. I’m OK with that as long as it produces quality for the bigger picture to provide for my family, kick my feet up at some point and do great work.

YOU WENT TO THE GRAMMYS LAST YEAR AS AN INDIE ARTIST. WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE?

I saw a lot of familiar faces. I was in the same category Best Traditional R&B Album with one of my favorite bands, Mint Condition. That moment was so surreal for me because I love their music. I’m still very much in  love with their composition and their artistry so to be in the same category with them was…surreal. There was a song that Mint Condition inspired on that same album, Smoove Jones.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL OTHER ARTISTS ABOUT THE VALUE OF OWNERSHIP?

It’s OK to share ownership. If 50% is invested by an artist and 50% is invested by a label, there should be a 50-50 split. If 100% is invested by an artist, the artist should get 100%. Shared ownership is always welcome but when it’s unfair – when an artist is getting 10 cents per album but has invested so much more but doesn’t have control over their budget, then business, I believe should be revisited to compensate accordingly.

There is a lot that major labels do from being a machine to major radio budgets to break an artist, to create the brand, and I understand that. We don’t live in a world of longevity – it’s sign and drop. In an earlier era, there was artist development and a lot of attention and a lot of nurturing. We don’t live in that day and age anymore. You do have to do a lot on your own.

The internet can be your friend. A label is not necessarily the be-all, end-all but if you are a priority, major labels can be beautiful when the budget is there. Ownership is wonderful if that’s what you are willing to work for. Ownership is 90% business and 10% artistry. Are you willing to do that or do you have a team that’s going to run 90% business so you can do more? I’m not going to preach something most artists aren’t willing to do.

YOU HAVE THE LONGEST WIKIPEDIA PAGE WITH THE SHORTEST PERSONAL LIFE ENTRY. HOW HAVE YOU MAINTAINED YOUR PRIVACY OVER THE YEARS?

I don’t have a personal life. That’s why. I had one, briefly. I’m definitely accused often and placed in people’s bedrooms that I’ve never met. That’s just a part of  being a human being and being a woman that’s never had a man on her arm or claimed a man or had a man claim her.

It’s very important for me to get to know someone out of the public eye and literally I’ve been working for 20 years. I have not had a break. I tried to have a relationship in my 20-year journey but he was jealous of my computer so that didn’t work out. (Laughs) There will be a time and a place and I’m not worried about that aspect of my life. I’m surrounded by love and I’m very happy as a single woman.

SO WHAT WOULD A MAN NEED TO DO TO BE WITH YOU?

I don’t think they would have to do anything but be themselves. And if the universe lines us up because we’re on the same frequency with the same goals or different goals that are at least of the same vibration – I believe that it will take proactivity as far as communication and time invested to make something work, but in the right timing when I’ve filled my own void and that person has filled their own void or is in the process of it at least.

I believe people encounter each other. When an individual that is already complete with themselves aligns with another individual that is complete with themselves, so that we don’t become each other’s necessities, but only accessories to build, we’d only add to each other’s lives. So they wouldn’t have to do anything. Nor would I.

PHOTOS: Courtesy/Mya Harrison

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Mya Talks 20 Years In The Music Business And What She’s Learned Along The Way  was originally published on blackamericaweb.com

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