Mya (album)

[[File:Missy Elliott 2006. jpg|thumbnail|upright|left|Rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott (pictured) appeared on the album. Due to his rising connections within the industry, Islam was able to hire an elite team of collaborators, including Dru Hill, another act, rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, and musicians such as Darryl Pearson, Diane Warren and Babyface. A coming of age record characterized as "sleek" and "funky" about relationships; its subjects ranges from self centeredness, hate, happiness, self acceptance, and love while exploring scenarios of being young, throwing parties, getting hurting for the first time, and hating someone for leaving because it hurts so much. It is followed by the "wildy contagious, funk fortified jeep jam" and album's second single "Movin' On," a song where Mya informs her man that she knows he is cheating and is "movin' on" to bigger and better things. Next up, the "cuddly" ballad and album's third track "Baby It's Yours." Glistened with an acoustic guitar and a slow programmed drumbeat, the ballad is in reminiscent of the earlier music of Janet Jackson. A signature song within her discography, the duet and their chemistry has been branded "undeniable." Having one of the longest names for a song, the "curiously ambivalent" "If You Died I Wouldn't Cry Caused You Never Loved Me Anyway," serves as the album's sixth track. Produced by Nokio the N Tity of Dru Hill, "If You Died I Wouldn't Cry Caused You Never Loved Me Anyway," is a tune about finding the strength in yourself to let go of a person who means you harm. Dru Hill provides background vocals as well. In his review for The Washington Post, journalist Richard Harrington wrote that Mya made "a strong first impression with her own eponymous debut." Paul Verna of Billboard found that Mya "scored on her debut album by addressing issues of concern to women without spewing cuss words." He compared the material to R&B band Destiny's Child and complimented Mya's songwriting skills, ranking "It's All About Me", "Whatcha Say", "Bye Bye", "My First Night With You", "Movin' On", and "We're Gonna Make Ya Dance" among the album's noteworthy tracks. Ayana B. Byrd of Vibe magazine expressed that on Mya, the " always sings with a voice that is clear, strong, and assured", adding that the album combined "round the way girl sass with an artist's sensibility." Jessica Simmons of The Michigan Daily described the album in one phrase:"OK, but nothing special" and noted aside from a few select songs like "Baby It's Yours" and "If You Were Mines," — "the rest are easily forgettable." She concluded her review with despite Mya having "a nice singing voice," the singer's debut offering "misses the mark." Portsmouth Daily Times associated writer Nekesa Moody opined the singer "shines on her self titled debut despite being bogged down occasionally with some run of the mill material."

Mya and its singles earned the singer numerous nominations. In 1998, she received her first award nomination for a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award in the Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist category. The following year, Mya continued to score multiple award nominations. Mya earned two Soul Train Music Awards nominations for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist and Best R&B/Soul Album – Female. At 1999 NAACP Image Awards, she received a nomination for Outstanding New Artist. Her single, "Movin' On" earned her a second nomination at the 1999 Soul Train Lady of Soul awards for Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year. For the 1999 Source Hip Hop Music Awards, she received a nomination for R&B Artist of the Year.

Mya debuted at number 77 on the Billboard 200 on May 9, 1998. A steady seller, by May 22, 1998, in its fourth week, Mya had sold 220,000 copies. The album eventually peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and at number 13 on Billboards Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart during the weeks of September 5 and July 14, 1998, respectively. By May 2003, Mya had sold over 1.4 million copies in the US. As of April 2023, Mya has sold 1.6 million units stateside. By May 18, 2001, worldwide sales for Mya stood at six million copies sold combined with sales from Fear of Flying (2000).

With the release and success of her debut album and its singles, Mya established herself a successful solo recording artist. Anita M. Samuels of Billboard commented, "The vocalist/dancer was introduced to R&B audiences via Sisqo of Dru Hill with the single, "It's All About Me," making her a viable competitor with artists such as Aaliyah." Complex magazine recognized "Movin' On" as one of the Best R&B Videos of the '90s. In a poll conducted by Billboard, "Movin' On" ranked 10th on its list of the 20 Best High School Music Videos. Actor and singer Rotimi sampled "Movin' On" for his five track Summer Bangerz EP. In honor its twentieth anniversary, Vibe ranked the album's tracks from worst to first and commented, "Mýa remains one of the definitive R&B albums of its era, is regarded as a certified classic and will always be remembered as the music world's introduction to its creator." In honor of her twenty fifth anniversary, Mya released "It's All About Me (25th Anniversary Remix)," a heel choreographed music video version. Directed and choreographed by Brian Friedman, it features the singer dancing solo in heels with a mixture of desire and self assurance.