Yardbarker

Mya Singleton

Music Writer

Mya Singleton is a freelance music journalist and social strategist based in the Bay Area, with experience covering R&B and hip-hop. Her reporting has appeared in several publications including Yardbarker, The Sports Fan Journal, AXS, and Hollywood Unlocked. With a career spanning over ten years, she’s covered concerts across the West Coast and interviewed some of the entertainment industry’s leading figures including Anderson .Paak, Nonstop Da Hitman, Laurieann Gibson, and Floyd Mayweather. You can find her talking about all things music and sports on Twitter at @MyaMelody7.  

EXPERTISE:

R&B, Hip-Hop

Hip-hop hooray! The best right-hand men and women in hip hop

Whether it's a hype man, producer, DJ or dancer, this person has a significant presence on records and on stage. If artists need an ad-lib or a song introduction, they know the right person to call. To show our appreciation, here are 20 individuals who held one of the coolest positions in hip-hop. 

Celebrating the top songs of the 2019 Grammy Lifetime Achievement recipients

Joining the ranks this year are Black Sabbath, George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, Dionne Warwick, Donny Hathaway, Sam & Dave, Julio Iglesias and Billy Eckstine. To celebrate these artists and their musical contributions to the world, here's a playlist of some of their best tunes.

Hip-hop lives: Ranking the Best Rap Album winners at the Grammys

A trip down memory lane would show how the Grammys and hip-hop haven't always had the best relationship. From rappers boycotting the show in protest of

20 top artists who helped shape the Motown sound

R&B, soul and funk started seeing crossover success in the 1960s, thanks to the label Motown Records. After becoming a noted songwriter, Berry Gordy knew there was more money in the music business with ownership and decided to start the Motown label.

The 10 best pop albums of 2018

The former Nickelodeon star is all grown up, and while her previous album “Dangerous Woman” was more of her coming-out party, “Sweetener” shows how much Grande has upped her game.

20 musicians who weren't afraid to get political in 2018

Politics and music have gone hand-in-hand for decades. Whether it was songs like John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance" or Public Enemy's "Fight the Power," or artists choosing to endorse political candidates, musicians have often used their platform to help encourage a better world.

The 10 best R&B jams of 2018

For years, people have said that R&B is dead. However, this mindset came about once hip-hop took over and when R&B singers were no longer focusing on solely love songs. But in recent years, the genre has simply changed in sound, whether it's fused with trap, alternative indie, or funk, R&B has no peak.

The 10 best hip-hop releases of 2018

In 2018, hip-hop embraced everything from vulnerability to mental health, and proved how even the biggest stars can find strength in rapping about their lowest points.

‘Doggystyle’ turns 25: Snoop Dogg secures his place in hip-hop with a G-Funk sound

Many critics have labeled the ‘90s as the golden era of hip-hop, and in many ways, that’s thanks to the earlier years of the decade. Artists like Eric B.

The 25 most important hip hop albums from the '90s

Hip-hop might have been birthed in the ‘80s; however it wasn't until the ‘90s when the genre started to take off. It was an era of legends like Nas, the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, and more who earned their stripes as some of the best in the game.

'Shaq Diesel' at 25: Shaquille O'Neal remains undefeated on the charts

Hall of Famer, four-time champion, 15-time All Star and one of the greatest centers in league history. Oh yeah, and a platinum-selling DJ. 

The debut of a diva: Amy Winehouse's 'Frank' 15 years later

"My greatest fear is dying without anyone knowing of any contribution I've ever made to creative music,” is what Amy Winehouse stated in an interview shortly after releasing her first album.

Celebrating Usher's 40th birthday with his top 20 songs

Singer, dancer, actor, philanthropist — Usher is a man of many talents. 

Happy anniversary: 25 top songs of the So So Def era

If there is any artist or music mogul known for familiarizing the world with the Atlanta music scene, it would be Jermaine Dupri. He was only a teenager when he started producing for artists and discovered his first act, Kris Kross.

The best all-time performances at the BET Hip Hop Awards

As hip-hop began growing more in the 1990s and 2000s, TV network BET saw fit to launch its own Hip Hop Awards. The award show was first implemented in 2006, celebrating artists, producers, video directors and music veterans.

Predicting the winners of the 2018 American Music Awards

It's that time of year again when fans can vote for their favorite musicians for the annual American Music Awards. Any artist with a massive fan base would presumably be a top winner at the show, since each award is determined by voting fans instead of a voting member academy.

American Music Awards winners for Artist of the Year, ranked

In honor of the prestigious award, let's take a look back at some of the past Artist of the Year winners. Where will your favorites rank? 

Predicting the 2018 BET Hip Hop Awards winners

In 2017, hip-hop surpassed rock as the most consumed music genre in America, and rappers have continued to break records throughout the year. From rap

A 50th birthday celebration for the Fresh Prince: Will Smith's 15 best songs

As one of the most celebrated talents in Hollywood, Will Smith is in a league of his own. A man of many hats, including actor, comedian and, more recently, a social media maven.

Artists who deserve the MTV Video Vanguard Award

Long before the world of YouTube and streaming services, music lovers were glued to their televisions to watch music videos from their favorite artists on MTV.

Dance Again: What sets Jennifer Lopez apart as an MTV Video Vanguard

A staple on “The Late Late Show with James Corden” is the “Carpool Karaoke” segment, in which the host invites artists to belt out popular songs as he drives them to a destination.

10 music videos that earned Jennifer Lopez the MTV Video Vanguard Award

From her roots as a Fly Girl dancer on "In Living Color," to her breakout acting role in "Selena," to her songs with artists like Marc Anthony and will.i.am., Jennifer Lopez gives new meaning to an artist who can truly do it all.

A salute to the 'Queen': Nicki Minaj's 15 best songs

It's been over a decade since Nicki Minaj made waves in the underground rap scene with mixtapes such as "Playtime Is Over" and "Beam Me Up Scotty." In 2009, Lil Wayne took Nicki under his wing and signed her to his Young Money Entertainment imprint.

20 great hip-hop albums from female rappers

Hip-hop first emerged onto the music scene in the 1970s; however, it wasn't until the '80s when more female rappers moved to the forefront. With pioneers such as Lady B, Roxanne Shante and MC Sha-Rock, women have consistently changed the hip-hop game with their lyricism, style and the notion to push boundaries.

'Please allow me to introduce myself, I’m a man of wealth and taste' - Mick Jagger turns 75

“Please allow me to introduce myself, I’m a man of wealth and taste.”  - Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones’ 1968 track, “Sympathy for the Devil” What does it mean to be a true rock star?  Mind-blowing stage presence, creative songwriting, infectious energy, killer style and an inspirational spirit.