From Detroit to London, Sierra Leone to New York to LA, Mayaeni has traveled far and wide,|absorbing the many cultures she’s experienced, bringing a depth to her music and lyrics that far|belies her 24 years. The daughter of a West African mother and a Jewish father—a former|guitar player who played with Sylvester, Carl Carlton and Jimmy Ruffin — Mayaeni has had no|shortage of influences to draw from in her rich cultural background.|She started recording demos for other artists and working with hip hop based producers. After|cutting a few demos with one of her idols, Billy Lawrence, she released her first self-titled indie|album with producer Shaun Fisher (Mandy Moore). The album was well received and resulted in|shows in New York and Detroit as well as a tour of Japan. While in Japan, Glad News Clothing,|a popular label in Japan, New York and Los Angeles, signed her to an endorsement contract,|unheard of for an independent artist.
It was not long before Mayaeni caught the ear of multi-platinum producer/songwriter Toby Gad|(Fergie’s Big Girls Don’t Cry, Beyonce’s If I Were A Boy). They co-wrote 5 songs together in|early 2008.
In the fall of 2008, Mayaeni signed a development deal with mega producer/songwriter Linda|Perry’s Custard Records. She penned songs with numerous well-known writers/producers|including Boots Ottestad, Sam Bisbee, Martin “Doc McKinney” and Linda Perry. Upon expiration|of the development deal with Custard, Mayaeni returned to New York, where she incorporated|her experiences of the last few years in her new songs, resulting in a unique and fresh sound,|with an immediacy and honesty too often missing in today’s music. Artist website: http://www.mayaeni.com. |
