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

20 essential R&B Christmas songs

From sultry takes on classic tunes to original bops, these artists know how to capture the joy, love, and nostalgia of the holidays.

20 essential hip-hop Christmas songs

Since it's the most wonderful time of the year, here's a list of some of the best rap songs to add to your holiday playlist. 

20 of the best Latin and pop collaborations

As more Latin artists have become mainstream, their music and popularity have not only broadened their cultural impact but have also allowed them to collaborate with artists across different genres. Let's take a look back at some of the best songs between the hottest acts in Latin and pop music. 

Behind the pen: 20 of the best songwriters in R&B history

What makes a great song? Naturally, a song needs compelling production and sweet melodies, but the most important (and sometimes most underrated) factor is the lyrics.

25 iconic R&B songs about infidelity

From Usher to Mary J. Blige, here's a list of some of the best R&B songs about cheating. 

20 songs about being alone and lonely

It's human nature for people to desire a connection with others, but there are times when people feel lonely or feel like they are on their own. Luckily for those of us feeling the latter way, artists have made many great songs about loneliness. Here are the best.

The best West Coast rap songs of the ‘90s

From Dr. Dre to E-40, here's a list of some of the best '90s rap songs that show how much California knows how to party. 

20 rappers who can also play an instrument

The best rappers in the game not only have a unique lyrical prowess and a knack for storytelling, but they also have an appreciation for musicianship. While some rappers can also produce music, other rappers are fans of adding instrumentation to their albums, and especially their live performances.

20 significant moments in Black music history

There is no music history without recognizing Black music history. It's no secret that Black artists have fought for appreciation of their art and inclusive spaces within the entertainment world, but the fight hasn't always been easy.

30 R&B songs that defined the 2010s

Let's take a look back at some of the best R&B songs to soundtrack our lives from 2010 to 2019. 

20 of the best graduation songs

A graduation is always a cause for celebration. From Vitamin C to Beyoncé, here's a list of songs that should be included on every graduation playlist.

25 of Beyonce’s best deep cuts

Beyoncé has been in the music industry for over 25 years dating back her Destiny's Child days. However, when she went solo back in 2003, her trajectory continued to skyrocket to superstardom.

24 of Rihanna’s best deep cuts

As fans eagerly wait for Rihanna's ninth studio album, which will be her first since 2016's Anti, let's take a look back at some of RiRi's best non-singles that deserve some more attention. 

Change the world: 20 songs that address social problems

Throughout music history, artists have used their music to inspire change and fight against injustices and inequality. From Public Enemy to John Mayer, here's a list of songs that encourage people to make the world a better place. 

30 hip-hop songs that defined the 2010s

Let's take a trip down memory lane and look back at some of the hottest hip-hop songs that were released from 2010 to 2019. 

The 35 greatest R&B songs from the 1980s

One of the cool things about R&B is hearing how the sound seems to constantly change from the previous decade. The 1980s was no different. From Michael Jackson to The Gap Band, here's a list of some of the hottest R&B songs of the '80s. 

The 20 greatest hip-hop songs from movie soundtracks

The music heard in movies serves several purposes, such as invoking emotion between characters, creating continuity between scenes, highlighting key moments, and setting the overall tone. From Will Smith to Kendrick Lamar, here's a list of some of the most iconic hip-hop tracks heard on soundtracks. 

25 classic R&B songs from film soundtracks

A great soundtrack can stand the test of time; sometimes, it can be better than the actual film in which it coincides. From love ballads to dance tunes, here's a list of some of the best R&B songs that created memorable moments for moviegoers. 

Let's celebrate: 25 of the best birthday songs

Although people appreciate the wishes with the usual birthday song and its many variations, music artists have released tracks to equally commemorate one's birthday. To celebrate another year around the sun, here's a list of songs that can make anyone party like it's their birthday. 

Great early '00s hip-hop tracks that have largely been forgotten

Since hip-hop's inception, the genre has exponentially grown with every single decade, and the 2000s era was no different. Hip-hop saw even more commercial

The 35 best R&B songs from the 1970s

The 1970s was an interesting time in regard to how the masses chose to label music genres. During this decade, R&B was used as an all-encompassing term to group the styles of soul, funk, and disco.

Hip-hop gems from the 1990s that have been largely forgotten

The 1990s is often referred to as the golden age of hip-hop. During that era, rap music gained more attention from mainstream audiences, regional music such as East Coast vs.

The best sophomore efforts from R&B artists

Some artists have amassed massive success with these projects that followed their introductory albums. For R&B fans, here is a list of some of the best sophomore albums. 

20 classic BET shows we miss

Going back to 1980, BET has created programming that features all things entertainment including music, comedy, sports, and news. Let's take a look back at some of BET's best shows from over the years.  

20 iconic songs that were initially written for different artists

There can be myriad reasons for why songs end up for another artist. Whatever the reason, typically the artist who actually ends up with the song becomes the better choice anyway. Here is a list of songs that you probably had no idea were actually created with other artists in mind.