Fear of Flying

Fear of Flying is the second studio album by Mya. The album was released on April 25, 2000 on Interscope Records.

The recording sessions for the album took place during late 1999 to early 2000.

Mya worked with a wide range of producers and songwriters on the album which included Rodney Jerkins, Swizz Beatz, Wyclef Jean, Knobody, Robin Thicke, Tricky Stewart, and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to embrace a more mature sound.

The album spawned three singles including; the Swizz Beatz-produced street savvy anthem "The Best of Me" (featuring rapper Jadakiss) and worldwide pop sensational hits "Case of the Ex" and "Free."

The former was an instant success worldwide, it reached the top twenty in over eight countries including United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The latter became an international hit, reaching the top twenty in two countries the United Kingdom and Australia.

The album debuted at number fifteen on Billboard 200 chart on May 13, 2000 with first-week sales of 72,000 copies.

Upon its release, the album seem be suffering from the dreaded sophomore slump.

The first single from the album "The Best of Me" under-performed on the charts, not even making it into the pop Top 40.

The follow-up single "Case of the Ex" fared better.

Interscope Records issued a commercial single for the song which helped propel it to number two and in turn, it solidified the album as a hit.

On November 7, 2000, the label re-released "Fear of Flying" with two previous unreleased tracks.

The album earned a platinum certification by Recording Industry Association of America on March 28, 2001 and two gold certification by Australian Recording Industry Association and Canadian Recording Industry Association.

Album Background
Following the success of Mya's self-titled debut album, she quickly re-entered the recording studio to begin work on her sophomore album.

Her self-titled debut studio album spawned three Top 10 hits and garnered attention for her vocal performances on Pras hit "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" and Blackstreet's "Take Me There."

During her two years away, Mya managed to tour with some of the biggest names in the business, both on the "Smokin' Grooves" tour as well as with "Lilith Fair."

The album was originally scheduled to drop at the end of February of 2000.

"Fear of Flying" featured a number of guest vocalists on the project, including TLC's Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Jordan Knight and Beenie Man.

Mya recorded with several different producers for this album, including She'kspere, Knobody, Tricky Stewart and Robin Thicke.

To help sign, seal and deliver that promise, Mya enlisted such production mega-talent as Wyclef & Swizz Beatz of Ruff Ryders for the album which was due on April 25th.

Album Conception
Mya said that many of the album's songs are about female empowerment. She was heavily involved in the production of "Fear of Flying."

According to Mya:

"I wanted to get that hands-on experience, explaining further: I was involved in every single process, from writing and recording to producing, mixing, and mastering."

The album's first single "The Best of Me" is an uptempo tune with "a lot meanings" according to Mya.

She said:

"It's talking about not letting the heat of the moment get to you, whether you're in a relationship or not. The physical can be really overwhelming and manipulative at times."

The dance-oriented "Pussycats" is a nursery rhyme-influenced song produced by Wyclef Jean and Jerry Duplessis.

"It may sound sexual, but it's not," says Mýa. "It's telling young females to hold off on being physical, especially with people you know aren't going to treat you right.''"

According to Mya:

"I'm learning that the decisions being made ultimately affect me, so I make most of them with the insight and help of other people. I still have to focus on what feels good to me and what's going to work in the long run, instead of selling 20 million records or being controversial."

She said:

"I want to bring people of all races and ages together. I want to create memories for them. If I can be a part of that, I'm happy."

Album Content
Introduced by the words of Mya telling her listeners to "Turn It Up," the album opens with second single "Case of the Ex."

One of many uptempo recordings on the album, the lyrics were inspired by Tricky Stewart's writing partner Traci Hale and produced by Tricky Stewart.

The song itself tells the story of an ex lover who will not go away.

The single reached the top ten United States, Australia, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands and the top forty elsewhere in countries like Germany, New Zealand, Ireland, France and Belgium.

The song remains Mya's biggest success to date.

"Free", the third and final single from the album was a disco-funk dance track helmed by legendary producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

The song was originally featured on the soundtrack to Jamie Foxx's movie "Bait" before being added to the re-release album version of "Fear of Flying."

On the charts however, the track underperformed in the United States, but it became a success internationally reaching the top twenty and five in United Kingdom and Australia.

The fourth track "Pussycats" is a nursery rhyme-influenced song produced by Wyclef Jean and Jerry Duplessis.

"Again & Again" is the album's fifth track. The song was produced by Swedish duo Bag & Arnthor with additional production from Damon Elliott and Mýa herself. It incorporates elements of rock music.

"How You Gonna Tell Me" (produced by She'ksphere) is the album's sixth track.

Written by Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Kandi Burruss and Mýa; the song itself tells the story of how people do not practice what they preach.

"Grandma Says" is the album's seventh track and first skit of one.

The skit is produced by Chucky Thompson and features comedian Chris Thomas as Mýa's grandma.

The eight track "Takin Me Over" was produced by R&B soul singer Robin Thicke and features Lisa "Left Eye" Lope of TLC.

"The Best of Me" the album's leading single was produced by Swizz Beatz.

The song itself tells the story of about not letting the heat of the moment get to you, whether you are in a relationship or not.

The single underperformed, reaching number fifty in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Lie Detector" (another Wyclef Jean and Jerry Duplessis-produced track) and the tenth song on the album incorporates elements of reggae music.

"Fear of Flying" (the album's first ballad and eleventh track) was produced by Jerome "Knobody" Foster and written by Teron Beal and Derrick Thompson.

The song itself tells the story of a relationship being compared to likes of a person's fear to fly unaware of the possible outcomes.

"Fear of Flying" is the album's twelfth track and an interlude.

The interlude is produced by Chucky Thompson and features Mya reciting poetry.

"Now or Never" is a mid-tempo track produced by soul singer Robin Thicke and incorporates elements of 1970s soul music.

"Man In My Life", the album's second ballad and fourteenth track.

The song is a remake of Michael Jackson's song "Lady In My Life" from his 1982's biggest-selling album "Thriller."

"Can't Believe" is the album's third ballad and fifteenth track. The track was produced by Soulshock & Karlin and written by Anthem.

"That's Why I Wanna Fight" (produced by Rodney Jerkins) is the album's sixteenth track.

Written by Rodney Jerkins, Lashawn Daniels & Fred Jerkins, the song was considered a single at one point by Mýa's record label Interscope.

"Ride & Shake" is a bouncy uptempo song and the album's seventeenth track. The song was produced by Anthony Dent and written by Tamara Savage.

"Get Over" is an outro and the album's final track. It was produced by Chucky Thompson and features Mya singing and saying her thank yous.

Tracklisting
Original Album Version
 * 1) Turn It Up (Intro) (1:22) (written by Mya Harrison; produced by Swizz Beatz)
 * 2) Case of the Ex (3:56) (written by Tricky Stewart, Traci Hale & Tab; produced by Tricky Stewart)
 * 3) Ride & Shake (4:00) (written by Anthony Dent & Tamara Savage; produced by Anthony Dent)
 * 4) That's Why I Wanna Fight (4:35) (written by Fred Jerkins II, LaShawn Daniels and Rodney Jerkins; produced by Rodney Jerkins)
 * 5) Pussycats (4:21) (written by Mya Harrison, Jerry Duplessis, Jimmy Cozier and Wyclef Jean; produced by Jerry Duplessis & Wyclef Jean)
 * 6) The Best of Me (feat. Jadakiss) (4:12) (written by Mya Harrison, Jimmy Cozier, Kasseem Dean, Jason Phillips, Mashonda Tifrere and Teron Beal; produced by Swizz Beats.
 * 7) Lie Detector (feat. Beenie Man) (4:21) (written by Mya Harrison, Jerry Duplessis, Wyclef Jean & Moses Davis; produced by Jerry Duplessis & Wyclef Jean)
 * 8) How You Gonna Tell Me (3:35) (written by Mya Harrison, Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs and Kandi Burruss; produced by She'kspere & Kandi Burruss)
 * 9) Grandma Says (Skit) (featuring Chris Thomas & Nonchalant) (0:48) (written by Mya Harrison; produced by Chucky Thompson & Mya Harrison)
 * 10) Takin' Me Over (feat. Left Eye) (3:55) (written by Mya Harrison, James Gass, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez, Robert Daniels & Robin Thicke; produced by Robin Thicke)
 * 11) Now or Never (3:50) (written by B.B. Keyes, James Gass, Robert Daniels & Robin Thicke; produced by Robin Thicke)
 * 12) Fear of Flying (written by D. Thompson, Jerome "Knobody" Foster, Jimmy Davis and Beal; produced by Jerome "Knobody" Foster)
 * 13) Flying (Interlude) (0:52) (written by Mya Harrison; produced by Chucky Thompson & Mya Harrison)
 * 14) Can't Believe (4:16) (written by C. Higgens, Carsten Schack & K. Karlin; produced by Soulshock & Karlin)
 * 15) No Tears On My Pillow (written by Mya Harrison & Robin Thicke; produced by Robin Thicke)
 * 16) For the First Time (4:20) (written by Mya Harrison & Darryl Pearson; produced by Darryl Pearson)
 * 17) Man in My Life (4:32) (written by Rod Temperton; produced by The Mercenaries & Poke & Tone)
 * 18) Get Over (Outro) (2:27) (written by Mya Harrison; produced by Chucky Thompson & Mya Harrison)

Re-Released Version Tracks
 * 1) Free (5:21) (written by Alex Richbourg, James Harris, Mya Harrison, Terry Lewis and Tony Tolbert; produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Big Jim Wright)
 * 2) Again & Again (3:29) (written by Mya Harrison, A. Bagge, A. Tennant, C. Ogalde, L. Bagge and W. Hector; produced by BAG & Arnthor, Mya Harrison and Damon Elliott)

Commercial Performance
"Fear of Flying" debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 album chart and Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart at number seven with first-week sales of 72,000 units sold.

The album was certified platinum by the RIAA on March 28, 2001 and remained on Billboard 200 album chart for 52 consecutive weeks.

The album has sold 1.2 million copies in the United States alone, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The album was the 144th best-selling album of 2000 and the following year the 178th best-selling in the United States.

Outside the United States, the album debuted or peaked at #98 in the United Kingdom, #39 in New Zealand, #102 in France, #33 in Switzerland, #52 in Germany, #39 in Canada and #28 in Australia.

Internationally, the album was successful as well. It was certified gold by the CRIA and ARIA in 2001.

The album debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 album chart, with first-week sales of 72,000 copies.

In its second week, the album dropped 10 spots to number 25, selling 42,784 copies.

In its third week, the album dropped 15 spots to number 40, selling 33,907 copies.

In its fifth week, the album dropped to number 58 and fell out of Billboard's Top 50.

After 13 weeks of its release, the album sat at number 109 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of 500,000 copies to retailers on June 8, 2000.

In its 14th week, the album moved up 16 spots to number 93. It moved up 6 spots to number 87 in its 15th consecutive week.

In its 29th week the album leaped from numbers 82 to 68, moving 14 spots.

In its 36th week, the album moved up 9 spots from numbers 74 to 65. On the Billboard 200 album chart, the album spent a total of 52 consecutive weeks.

Internationally, the album reached seven countries.

In Switzerland, the album debuted at number 84, before peaking at number 33 and spent a total of 16 consecutive weeks on the Swiss Albums Chart.

It debuted at number 54 on the Australian Albums Chart and reached number 28 in its 20th non-consecutive week.

The album spent a total of 25 non-consecutive weeks on the chart and later certified gold by Australian Recording Industry Association.

It debuted at number 39 in New Zealand and dropped out the next week.

In Germany, the album debuted at number 52 and spent a total of 16 consecutive weeks on the German Albums Chart.

It debuted and peaked at number 98 on the United Kingdom album chart.

The album failed to move up on France's Top 100 album chart, spending a total of 5 consecutive weeks below the chart; peaking at number 102.

It debuted at number 51 on the Canadian Albums Chart and rose 12 spots to number 39 in its second week.

It spent a total of 9 consecutive weeks on the chart and later certified gold by Canadian Recording Industry Association.

Critical Reception
Upon its initial release, "Fear of Flying" received mixed to average reviews from music critics.

Jon Azpiri of Allmusic said "Mya's sophomore effort proves that she is a promising young talent, but still has yet to develop the chops necessary to rank among the best of R&B divas."

He commented without the energy of collaborators in the mix, many of her solo tracks wander into predictability & relieving too heavily on tepid ballads such as the title track and "Man In My Life" though songs like "Can't Believe", "For the First Time" and "Lie Detector" show emotional depth that lacked in her debut.

Josh Tyrangiel of Entertainment Weekly gave the album a C, saying, "Mýa can sing well enough; now she needs to find something to sing about."

Rolling Stone magazine writer Ernest Hardy gave the album 2 stars out of 5 and wrote:

"The signature quiver in Mýa's voice does give her some sonic identity, but otherwise this could be the music of Destiny's Child, Aaliyah or any of the countless interchangeable hip-hop/R&B divas."

The Source gave the album a positive review, saying:

"Reaching out to hip-hop heads....Mýa proves she can hold her own in this competitive game of young female musicians. She's well on her way [to] the class of elite divas."

Uncut called the album "a crafted, coffee-rich affair blending soul and swing. It's a grower which oozes class."

However, Q magazine gave the album 3 stars out of 5 and wrote "Mya demonstrates enough sass to suggest a sunny future."

Vibe stated:

"The starlet has decided to show off her range...as if she and her top-notch producers attempted to wipe out the competition by transforming Mýa into each of her rivals in turn complimenting further saying, a grand tour through the ever-changing moods of female adolescence."

Personnel
Musicians Production
 * Robert Aaron - Horn
 * Joe Davi - Guitar (Acoustic)
 * Rick Davies - Horn
 * Norman Hedman - Percussion
 * Sean Hurley - Guitar (Bass)
 * Marlon Williams - Guitar
 * Traci Hale - Background Vocals
 * Elijah Joy - Voice-over
 * Michael Cain - Keyboards
 * Maiesha Rashad - Voice-over
 * Mya - Lead and Background Vocals, Producer & Executive Producer
 * Jerry Duplessis - Producer
 * A. Islam Haqq - Producer & Executive Producer
 * Wyclef Jean - Producer
 * Rodney Jerkins - Producer
 * Kandi Burruss - Producer
 * Pro-Jay - Programming & Producer
 * Christopher "Tricky" Stewart - Keyboards, Programming & Producer
 * Swizz Beatz - Producer
 * Robin Thicke - Programming & Producer
 * Anthony Dent - Programming & Producer
 * Jordan Knight - Performer
 * Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes - Performer
 * Beenie Man - Performer
 * Jadakiss - Performer
 * Brandon Abeln - Engineer
 * Ralph Cacciurri - Engineer
 * Keith Cohen - Engineer
 * Kevin Crouse - Engineer
 * Chris Frame - Engineer
 * Brad Gilderman - Engineer
 * Jason Groucott - Engineer & Mixing Engineer
 * Tal Herzberg - Engineer
 * Adam Holmstead - Engineer
 * Ricco Lumpkins - Engineer
 * Michael Sherman - Engineer
 * Brian "B Luv" Thomas - Engineer
 * Darrel Thorpe - Engineer
 * Richard Travali - Engineer & Mixing Engineer
 * Dylan Vaughan - Mixing Engineer
 * Kieran Wagner - Engineer
 * Doug Woulson - Engineer
 * Kevin "KD" Davis - Mixing & Mixing Engineer
 * Glen Marchese - Mixing
 * Manny Marroquin - Mixing
 * Tony Maserati - Mixing
 * Chris Athens - Mastering