Up Next: Interview with Maya J

After the release of her new project ‘Trouble,’ Playlist Envy caught up with Pop-R&B Artist, Songwriter, and Actress Maya J to talk about what inspires her, the meaning of the new track/video, her clothing brand, and her success as an independent artist.

Check out the exclusive interview below:

PE: What inspired you to start music?

MJ: My heart is a music box, and I’d say overall that both nature and nurture inspired me to come down this path.

PE: If you weren’t doing music what other career do you see yourself doing?

MJ: Well,  I’m an artistic human, so I honestly can’t see myself with any other career outside of the music, songwriting and acting realm. I’ve been an actor and trained in acting for a long time, so that’s my only other  ‘work baby’ besides music.

PE: What do fans of yours have to look forward to in the near future, are there any surprises to come?

MJ: More sparkliness! Some more behind-the-scenes content is coming to my  Youtube Channel, and I’m starting to work on some of my new music that  I’ve written this year. I want fans to remember to always check my official website (www.Thisismayajenkins.com)  and social media for updates on music, acting & photos. Also, fun thing to share –  my clothing and merch brand “Stay Sparkly” based on my long-time entertainment brand logo and catchphrase is having some cool updates soon, you can keep tabs on that at StaySparklybyMayaJ.com.

PE: When you’re working, what inspires you or what do you draw inspiration from?

MJ: Whatever  I feel about situations that have happened to me or that I’ve observed,  usually I pour into the music. My emotions are always what inspires me.

PE: Is there any advice you would like to give your younger self for coming into the music industry or something to help the songwriting/producing process?

MJ: I  would tell my younger self that everything will fall into place, and everything that is supposed to happen will happen. All of this is very tedious, especially production, the stress of trying to meet a deadline,  or operating the politics of the job…. it can all be overwhelming. I would remind little me not to worry so much, and that as long as I am myself and kind, everything else is out of my hands.

PE: What’s the meaning of your track ‘Trouble’?

MJ: So, the song ‘Trouble’  is about a person who has fallen in love with another person, who they would do anything for. I think that’s romantic, don’t you? But this person always gets their person into a bit of trouble. According to the song, it’s unrequited love, love that has never been consummated or brought to fruition. He craves her, and she just wants to fall into his lap — kind of like the gift he desires. And no matter how much she tries to ignore it, he keeps pulling her back in somehow, and she is caught in his booby trap, which is his charm, charisma, and cunning…  and his subtweets. The trouble she gets into for him, I’m laughing hysterically when I think about it. So the listeners can insert their own trouble because we’ve all probably had this one relationship where they love someone, but there is always a  lot of trouble involved.

In regards to the video, Trouble the video strays a little bit away from the love that’s repped in the song (except for the performance portion). There is still the love story, but there is a bit of the “Trouble aspect” in the narrative portion. Since the song is only 3 minutes long, I had to choose what kind of Trouble I would portray in the video. I felt like this would have a wide appeal because in our popular culture we have people who take a lot of interest in you, with a lot of it being through social media. The person following me in the video can be representative of someone following any of us through social media, and even in real life. Even though some of them won’t even actually follow you, they just stalk you and copy your words, style, and looks. Anyway,  in the video, I notice the person following me has me under surveillance, which is illustrated in the video by the TV screens. After  I discover my images on their TV screens, I shut it down, and the screens get turned off. In the next scene, that other person is now inside the screens. On one hand, I’m saying “I see you, and now I’m watching you” and in another sense, I’ve obviously kind of  “Black-Mirrored” them, and now I have them trapped in the screens. Then it ends with me being strong and triumphant, illustrated with a power walk. At the end of the day, the lover in the song might be the reason that this person began following and became obsessed.

Check out the official video below

PE: Where did you shoot the video for this song?

MJ: We shot the music video in downtown Los Angeles, at a few different locations. There were only 2 of those specific locations that ended up in the final cut of the music video though. Being on the rooftop location reminded me of how beautiful my city is! You can see all about the video shoot on the Behind-the-Scenes that will be on my YouTube channel, Maya J Music.

PE: What are your plans for the rest of the year?

MJ: You know, I just realized that there are only 4 months left in the year,  time is just flying by like lightning. Right now off the top of my head,  some of my plans include finishing up some songs that I started writing recently, having a really great holiday season with my family, and prioritizing the health and happiness of my mind and body. I’ll of course continue to try my hardest at carving out opportunities, as well as taking great opportunities that come to me.

PE: Are you looking to stay independent?

MJ: In a perfect world, I would love to sign with a major label. I want more artist and songwriter collaborations, and I’d especially be thrilled to create with bigger resources in hand to make more music, get albums out, and get more videos made. I would also love to sign a publishing deal so that I can lend songs to major artists on a regular basis. I definitely want labels and execs to know that if they want to talk, I’m here. I’m always open and interested in talking business and music with label reps, and I totally welcome it! I guess this is me raising my hand. 😉

I created my indie label and company Glitter Rain  Entertainment to always be the home for Maya J art if it doesn’t land in a major label setting. Whatever happens, I will continue to be an artist, and I’ll continue to write and release as much music as I can.

FOLLOW MAYA J

Stream & download Maya J’s song ‘Trouble’ everywhere now:

Follow & Stream Maya J on Spotify

All Maya J Jenkins Socials / Official Sites (Maya J’s only social media):

Instagram: @mayajenkinsforever 

Official Website: http://www.thisismayajenkins.com

Twitter: @everythingmayaj 

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MayaJenkinsOfficial