R&B artiste Mya is one of speakers at the Island Music Conference (IMC) taking place at the Coutleigh Auditorium in New Kingston.

Mya was a very successful R&B artiste and has collaborated with some of the best in the business.

She was signed to Interscope Records and came out with her debut album in 1998 which sold 2 million copies, going platinum in the process.

Mya is an undoubted talent who even today should be up there with the likes of Beyonce and Mariah Carey.

Now 45, Mya is a proven singer, songwriter, dancer, producer and actress. Her career has been derailed by the machinations of the industry and its unscrupulous cast of characters.

She has said she likes Jamaican and Caribbean culture and has worked in that musical oeuvre, with the likes of Bounty Killer and Beenie Man.

She remains beautiful, elegant, articulate, intelligent and principled. This is a lady of grace whom many young artistes today can benefit from her experience.

In an earlier interview about the industry Mya revealed: “ There are those in power who sometimes abuse it and definitely plot on their prey. You will be black-balled, you will be talked about, you will be rumoured about. You have to stand strong. There are things I will not do to sell my soul.”

She refused to succumb to the vultures and demons of the entertainment industry. For many that has proved the way to a lucrative career.

Mya is a woman of standards and for being so, she was ill-treated by the industry. Her’s is a cautionary tale but she remains unbowed.

Successive record companies including Universal Motown failed to adequately represent and promote her and she had to go the independent route.

You root for her because talent, tenacity and graciousness should always prevail. For Valentine’s Day she put out a single entitled ‘Anytime‘. It’s rather good.

Mýa Marie Harrison is a “triple threat” as they say. She excels as a singer, actress, dancer. She has a won a Screen Actor’s Guild Award and a Grammy. She has starred in the movies ‘Chicago‘ and ‘Shall We Dance?‘.

“There are horrible things that happen whether it be in the industry or not…mentally, emotionally, sexually, financially. You have to assess your standards. You have to know who you are and be solid,” she once reflected.

Today you see so many who make it big with no real talent and ability. That must be all the more galling for Mya. One gets the impression there is still plenty in the tank and it just takes someone who appreciates talent and experience to get great performances out of her.

She must stick to her guns and not compromise herself. Others must take a leaf out of her book.

“You mustn’t be desperate. You have to be willing to say, I’m good, f…you, and walk away,” she declared.