Diandra Interviews Maya B: Being Original To Paint Your Sound
I really like Maya B. In a world that seeks artists to sing about humanity, but can forget they are human, Maya B makes her heart unforgettable. Her goal is to create bangers that span genres, but feel centered in messages of self-love and self-respect. For her, appreciating yourself comes in elaborating that your dignity lies in your originality, of which our interview highlights how her music is found in this truth.
Diandra: From “Dollar To A Diamond” to “Selenas,” your music discusses knowing your worth is more than the situations that make you feel less. How has being an artist taught you your worth?
Maya B: I don’t think being an artist taught me my worth. I think being an artist taught me the impact I could have if I share those situations that make me feel less. I found my worth by spending an infinite amount of time by myself and even then the feeling that I’m “worth it” comes and goes. To be 100.
Maya B – SelenasDiandra: Bouncing off that question, what are the qualities you most love about yourself and your sound?
Maya B:I love my independence. I love my spontaneity. I love my obsession with drums. I love my blend of urban & indie. I think I love and am most appreciative for my ability to song-write though.
Diandra: As a rising artist, what have been the highs and lows of coming up in this industry?
Maya B: Luckily, my journey has been filled with more highs than lows. A low would be the financial strain going after a dream causes. Highs would be signing a deal, getting flown out of the country to make music, and being able to make music and art every day.
Diandra: As a painter, if you could describe your music according to famous portraits or fellow painters, which ones would they be and why?
Maya B: Oh I love this question. Mark Rothko because he paints feelings. I sing feelings.
Diandra: Have you ever wanted to write a song off a painting or make a painting off a song? Which ones?
Maya B: I do. I wrote this song (not out yet) but the art is out. You can find it as a series on my Instagram. It’s about boobs. The song is about this girl I met at party who did not wanna hold a conversation but flashed this guy her boobs for $250 (haha). Anyways, yeah my art and music are very intertwined.
Diandra: You define your music as emotional. What are the emotions you feel your music most reflects within you?
Maya B:All of them. Especially with this new EP on the way. I’m excited for people to see more sides of me.
Diandra: When in a childhood, girl group, you said you would compete with your older sister to get the lead. What does she, your other sisters, and your mom say about your career now?
Maya B: They’re all proud I think haha. My sister (who was lead) is a creative director/editor and we work pretty close with each other. So, I think it’s a dream scenario.
Dollar To A DiamondDiandra: What is your favorite music memory with them?
Maya B: My favorite music memory with my sisters would have to be singing ‘Baby, I Love You’ by Aretha Franklin for my Dad at his birthday party.
Diandra: With your EP on the way, you have said self-fulfillment, humility, and originality are so important to you. How do you feel your music will speak to each?
Maya B: Yeah, those thing are very important to me and I hope to use my voice to speak out originality and genre bending. These days people’s eyes are opening, “pop music” is less pop and more of what the people like. Trap is on KISSFM! I hope to be the artist to push the boundaries even more by supplying the world with bangers that mean something.
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