Exclusive: Get To Know Mayaeni

We caught up with Roc Nation artist Mayaeni about her latest music video and upcoming album.

Mayaeni is many things, she’s soul, she’s rock, she’s funk and she’s multi-talented. Last week Mayaeni dropped her “Break Me” Mayaeni music video which she shot and edited herself. The song, “Break Me” comes off her last EP Elocution and portrays raw human emotion and the slow process of allowing yourself to be vulnerable which is the main reason why Mayaeni shot the video herself. Check out what more Mayaeni had to say in our exclusive interview below.

I know you grew up in a musical family, what was that like?

My father is a guitar player and that was his job growing up so I grew up around that. Just kind of always had music in my house. My mom is really involved in her community and she was always having people over with music.

Did you know from a young age that you wanted to go into music?

Yeah as a kid I tried everything out when I was younger like ice skating and gymnastics and ballet acting and music was the only thing that I never switched from. I really liked writing songs.

Who taught you how to play guitar? Was it your dad or were you self-taught?

Yeah my father taught me initially and years of picking up from other musicians.

When did you know you want to pursue music as a career?

It’s just something I’ve always done. It’s who I am really. It’s like an extension like a third arm almost. There wasn’t an exact time, it just kind of came naturally and was something I’ve always done.

Were your parents supportive of you following in their footsteps?

Yeah my dad was supportive because he did the whole artist music thing so he was the one who really understood it. From the beginning of my career he helped manage me.

When did you sign to roc nation?

About 4 year ago.

What was that experience like? Who brought you on etc.?

I wrote a song that an EDM dj, Sander Van Doorn remixed and underground in the EDM community it was heard a lot so Jay Brown at Roc hear my voice and really liked my voice and went looking for me and had a meeting was signed pretty much on the spot. Roc is a cool team to have and really artist friendly.

What’s been your favorite project to work on?

I don’t know if touring could be considered a project but I feel like my live show this past year was the most exciting. Breaking down my performance to just using a loop pedal has been cool and creative. It’s opened me up to be able to travel more and do a lot more when you can’t afford to bring the band. I thinhk my live shows and the solo live performance.

Can you talk about the inspiration behind the “Break me” video?

The song is really vulnerable and I’m kind of a shy person when I’m not on stage so I do get shy when other people film me. Because it was really vulnerable I wanted film it myself so I filmed it at home. Over the course of 7 days I filmed a lot of randomness. I didn’t really have a plan and that’s what I love about creating stuff, it just seems to come together somehow. I just kept trying and something materialized.

Was this your first time directing and shooting?

I’ve done it before as a side thing as well for probably over a decade. So I know how to work like Photoshop and Adobe Premiere and all those programs. The “Million n’1” I did that, even way back I’ve been doing videos and stuff for friends and other artists.

What’s your favorite genre of music to create?

I like soul, classic stuff. I’m writing my album right now and like half way finished with it. And its becoming like this soul classic vibe. I’ve done a lot of co-writing in the past which is why it’s gone across a few different sounds whereas this project is mainly me so I’m excited for people to hear what that sounds like.

Who are some artists you looked up to growing up?

Chuck Barry, Hendrix and Janis Joplin, Sam Cooke, the whole Motown thing, I really loved what they did in terms of music.

What’re you currently listening to?

There have been a lot of great albums this year. Solange’s album of course and Childish Gambino. I’m actually doing a cover of California at one of my shows. Hosier.

When are planning to drop you’re album?

Hopefully next year. I think I’m making good progress. I’m just focused on writing right now and rough demos and then when everything’s done I’ll get into further production.