Mya

Mya Harrison had a dad who believed in her. When she was just 16 years old, he arranged an audition for her with the founder and president of University Records. Mya’s performance that day landed her a recording contract which led to her self-titled debut album two years later. Many other ventures followed including movie soundtracks and Tommy Hilfiger contracts. Now, at age 20, she brings her latest project entitled, "Fear of Flying."

On the album Mya primarily deals with relationships. On the hit single The Best of Me, we learn that a lustful young man seeks to seduce a young woman who, although tempted, refuses to give in to his promises (The feelin’s comin on so strong/I know that it’s wrong/I can’t let you get the best of me. On her official website, Mya says this song is about "setting standards for yourself, about following them through and not allowing the temptations of a heat of the moment situation to lure you into something that you may regret later in life." That’s wise advice indeed.

However, as we move on to later tracs, these standards are absent. On the song entitled Ride and Shake, we learn of a planned rendezvous in order to get back at her two timing man. The strong standards are also put aside on For the First Time and Now or Never. Any time a guy says, "Sex or else", just let him go.

Mya speaks regularly on teen issues, and encourages young women to maintain a high self-esteem. In fact, she serves on the advisory board of the Secret to Self Esteem Program which is dedicated to helping girls become strong women.

While Mya’s work in this regard must be admired, one would argue that a few songs on Fear of Flying appear to contradict her message of self esteem. If our message to the world (or our fans) are to have any kind of real impact, we must be true in words, song and lifestyle.