From The Vault is back this week with one of our favorite R&B starlets.
Today’s pick comes courtesy of the talented Mya with her 2003 effort ‘Fallen.’
Issued as the second single from the performer’s third album ‘Moodring’, the song sampled Hip-Hop classic ‘Runnin’’ by The Pharcyde, which itself was built around a sample of Bossa Nova jam ‘Saudade Vem Correndo’ by Luiz Bonfà.
Following the home run that was ‘Lady Marmelade’, ‘Moodring’ in many ways was designed to take Mya to the next level. The album’s first single – the Missy Elliott-produced ‘My Love Is Like Wo’ – was a Top 20 hit but for some incomprehensible reason ‘Fallen’ failed to make an impact on the Billboard Hot 100/ Indeed, it peaked right outside of the Top 50 at #51.
The video for the tune finds the songstress in besotted mode, following a guy she’s crushing over around New York City. From the newsstand in the morning to his bathtub in the evening. Directed by Darren Grant, aspects of the clip would be borrowed in Rihanna’s ‘What’s My Name?’ visual years later – a video that followed the then-red-haired beauty from sunrise to sunset around the Big Apple.
Sadly, ‘Fallen’ remains Mya’s last single to chart on the Hot 100.
Until this day, we’re perplexed at what prevented the entertainer from being one of the biggest names in music (commercially speaking). From the talent to the songs and the look, she had it all in earnest. Some say politics others ponder the product. For us, it will forever remain a mystery.
Thankfully, she has been able to experience success in different ways since then. Indeed, she embarked on an independent journey and released several successful albums for the Japanese market. She even snagged a GRAMMY nomination for her critically-acclaimed seventh LP ‘Smoove Jones’. As is increasingly becoming the case in the contemporary climate, success is relative and Mya has emerged as a textbook example of how.
She – alongside the Tinashes and Dawn Richards of the world – stands as a true testament that in the music industry there are many ways to win if you are ready to explore them.
We salute you, Ms. Harrison!
Loved this song. Thanks for adding in some extra details about the history. I remember this made an impact on TRL and for some reason I thought that was a good indicator of billboard smh.
She was on soundtracks and was always on TV when this album came out. Everyone was talking about it. I was sure it was her biggest selling project until I looked at the numbers last year.
My favorite independent work from her is “Damage”.
Mya is slept on period! She’s constantly releasing quality material & if it was giving to the girls of today they would smash!
Video was shot in Toronto.
Nice throwback, TGJ! Would be a nice example for Normani and Halle Bailey to study in terms of shaping musical/image direction…
LOVE it! Early 2000’s R&B/Hip-Hop is a whole vibe for me. The Early 2000’s stay in rotation!!!
Sad b****, stay living in the past wit yo 55 year old ass! Bye! 👋🏽
You make my job so easy since you make yourself look so fuggin’ stupid.
There’s NOTHING for me to add, lol
There’s NOTHING for me to add,…B*TCH!
*Fixed*
Why not FIX yo ashy 55 year old face, dusty? Maybe THEN you won’t feel the need to be so envious of the Queen 💯🤳🏽💋
If you want me to envy you, first you need beauty & brains dear.
For the record…True Tea doesn’t envy “mediocre”.
Purchase a mirror before you speak to me about ugly. Perhaps ur broke a$$ can’t afford one, I guess that rotten p**** can’t pay the bills.
Chile!!!
“Dear.” See, you talking like a old wannabe-white woman, hunnie. Know thyself! 💯🤳🏽💋
I say WTF I want, how I wan’t & to who I wan’t & you will deal B*TCH!
The 1st or 2nd single should’ve been things come and go with Sean Paul.
literally one of my favorites… ever very much TOP 5 for me. all time.
Yasss Mya. We love her!
I love Mya, her last album so was underrated.
This song is one of my favorites from her
Song and album flipped hard. NEXT!
*flopped
Classic album and song. In the end, she won because her 9 to 5 pays more than yours lol. You’re still trying to find the right wash for that gaping hole of yours. You lose again Q**** 😆
It truly is a mystery why she did not continue to excel. I thought her sing Ridin’ would have charted thought which was after this. She definitely has bops
love this song! but it was a risky single choice even for that time, but I appreciate the label allowing Mya to showcase a different side of her. Moodring was a nice record but it was too long, she could’ve chopped some stuff off.