Fear of Flying is the second studio album by American singer Mýa. It was released on April 25, 2000, by University Music Entertainment and Interscope Records. Recording sessions were assembled from late 1999 to early 2000. This time around Harrison made the conscious decision to collaborate with a wider range of producers and songwriters on the album. Among those Harrison chose to work with were Rodney Jerkins, Swizz Beatz, Wyclef Jean, Knobody, Robin Thicke, Tricky Stewart, and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to embrace a more mature sound. In her own words, Harrison described Fear of Flying as a metaphor for the ups and downs of life. A reoccurring theme on the album included handling things like an adult and knowing you must have faith to make anything happen.[1] Mýa described the album as "a reflection of being in love for the very first time, experiencing success and the fears of fame."[2]
Fear of Flying debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200, selling 72,000 copies in its first week. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA). The album's lead single, "The Best of Me" (featuring Jadakiss), peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single, "Case of the Ex", reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, while charting within the top 20 in numerous countries. The third and final single, "Free", reached number 42 on Billboard Hot 100 and saw modest success elsewhere, reaching the top 40 in a few countries. Fear of Flying was re-released on November 7, 2000, including "Free" and "Again & Again".[3] To promote the album, Mýa embarked on the Fear of Flying Tour.
Background
Following the success of her self-titled debut studio album, Mýa quickly re-entered the recording studio to begin work on her second album. Her debut album spawned three top 10 singles and garnered attention for her vocal performances on Pras' "Ghetto Supastar" and Blackstreet's "Take Me There". During her two years away, Mýa managed to tour with several artists, both on the Smokin' Grooves tour as well as with Lilith Fair. Originally scheduled to drop at the end of February 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. Mýa 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, she enlisted such production mega-talent as Wyclef and Swizz Beatz of Ruff Ryders for the album, which was due on April 25.[4][5]
Title and artwork
The album's title came from a song Mýa recorded by the same name—not from Erica Jong's 1973 novel. During an interview with Billboard, Mýa discussed the album's title, saying, "I wasn't aware of the book, but someone later brought it to my attention." "I've just started reading it and have noticed a lot of similarities. Fear of Flying is a metaphor for the ups and downs of life. It's about handling things like an adult, knowing you must have faith to make anything happen."[1] Photographer and director David LaChapelle shot the images for the album's packaging.[6][7]
Conception
In response to the album's material, Mýa said that many of the album's songs are about female empowerment. Mýa, who did some writing on her 1998 eponymous debut album, was heavily involved in the production of Fear of Flying. "I wanted to get that hands-on experience. 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", featuring Jadakiss, is an uptempo tune with "a lot meanings", explained Mýa. "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", explained Mýa. "It's telling young females to hold off on being physical, especially with people you know aren't going to treat you right." "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", explained Mýa. "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." "I want to bring people of all races and ages together", she said. "I want to create memories for them. If I can be a part of that, I'm happy."[1]
Singles
The first single from the album was "The Best of Me", which peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 14 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
The second single "Case of the Ex" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The single became an instant success stateside and a breakthrough success internationally. "Case of the Ex" became Mýa's second solo top 10 entry. It entered the top five in Australia and United Kingdom, the top 10 in Netherlands, the top 20 in Ireland, Canada, and New Zealand, and the top 40 in Germany, France, and Belgium.
"Free", the third and final single, peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 52 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was a moderate success internationally, reaching the top 20 in the United Kingdom and the top five in Australia. It also appeared on the soundtrack to the 2000 film Bait, starring Jamie Foxx.
Reception
Critical
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [8] |
| Billboard | Favorable[9] |
| Entertainment Weekly | C[10] |
| People | Favorable[11] |
| Q | [12] |
| Rolling Stone | [13] |
| The Source | (favorable)[12] |
| Uncut | [12] |
| Vibe | Favorable[12] |
Media reception for Fear of Flying was generally mixed. 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", also commenting, "Without the energy of collaborators in the mix, many of her solo tracks wander into predictability. The album relies too heavily on tepid ballads such as the title track and 'Man of My Life'. Yet songs like 'Can't Believe', "For the First Time', and 'Lie Detector' show an emotional depth that lacked in her debut."[8] 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."[10] 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"[13] while 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".[12]
Uncut called the album "A crafted, coffee-rich affair blending soul and swing...it's a grower which oozes class." However, though Q magazine gave the album 3 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Mýa demonstrates enough sass to suggest a sunny future",[12] 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...a grand tour through the ever-changing moods of female adolescence".[12]
Commercial performance
Fear of Flying debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 album chart and 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 the Billboard 200 album chart for 52 consecutive weeks. Fear of Flying has sold 1.2 million copies in the United States alone, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[14] 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 number 81 in the United Kingdom, number 39 in New Zealand, number 102 in France, number 33 in Switzerland, number 52 in Germany, number 39 in Canada and number 28 in Australia. Internationally, the album was successful as well: Fear of Flying was certified gold by the CRIA and ARIA in 2001.
In its second week, the album dropped 10 spots to number 25, selling 42,784 copies.[15] In its third week, the album dropped 15 spots to number 40, selling 33,907 copies.[16] In its fifth week, the album dropped to number 58 and fell out of Billboard's top 50. 13 weeks after its release, the album sat at number 109 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of 500,000 copies to retailers on June 8, 2000.[17] In its 14th week, the album moved up 16 spots to number 93. It moved up six 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 nine spots from numbers 74 to 65. On the Billboard 200, 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. It spent a total of 25 non-consecutive weeks on the chart and was later certified gold by the 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 81 on the UK Albums Chart. It failed to move up on the French Albums Chart, spending a total of five consecutive weeks below the chart and 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 nine consecutive weeks on the chart and was later certified gold by the Canadian Recording Industry Association.
Nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | MOBO | Best Album | Nominated |
| Soul Train Music Awards | Best R&B/Soul Album - Female | Nominated |
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Turn It Up (Intro)" (featuring Swizz Beatz) | 1:22 | ||
| 2. | "Case of the Ex" | Christopher "Tricky" Stewart | 3:56 | |
| 3. | "Ride & Shake" | Dent | 4:00 | |
| 4. | "That's Why I Wanna Fight" |
| 4:35 | |
| 5. | "Pussycats" | 4:21 | ||
| 6. | "The Best of Me" (featuring Jadakiss) |
| 4:12 | |
| 7. | "Lie Detector" (featuring Beenie Man) |
|
| 4:21 |
| 8. | "How You Gonna Tell Me" |
|
| 3:35 |
| 9. | "Grandma Says (Skit)" (featuring Chris Thomas and Nonchalant) | Carl "Chucky" Thompson | 0:48 | |
| 10. | "Takin' Me Over" (featuring Left Eye) |
|
| 3:55 |
| 11. | "Now or Never" |
|
| 3:50 |
| 12. | "Fear of Flying" |
| Jerome "Knobody" Foster | 4:24 |
| 13. | "Flying (Interlude)" | Harrison |
| 0:52 |
| 14. | "Can't Believe" |
| Soulshock and Karlin | 4:16 |
| 15. | "No Tears on My Pillow" |
|
| |
| 16. | "For the First Time" |
|
| 4:20 |
| 17. | "Man in My Life" | Rod Temperton |
| 4:32 |
| 18. | "Get Over (Outro)" | Harrison |
| 2:27 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Turn It Up (Intro)" | 1:22 | ||
| 2. | "Case of the Ex" |
| Stewart | 3:56 |
| 3. | "Free" | 5:21 | ||
| 4. | "Pussycats" |
|
| 4:21 |
| 5. | "Again & Again" |
|
| 3:29 |
| 6. | "How You Gonna Tell Me" |
|
| 3:35 |
| 7. | "Grandma Says (Skit)" (featuring Chris Thomas and Nonchalant) | C. Thompson | 0:48 | |
| 8. | "Takin' Me Over" (featuring Left Eye) |
|
| 3:55 |
| 9. | "The Best of Me" (featuring Jadakiss) |
| 4:12 | |
| 10. | "Lie Detector" (featuring Beenie Man) |
|
| 4:25 |
| 11. | "Fear of Flying" |
| Foster | 4:24 |
| 12. | "Fear of Flying (Interlude)" | Harrison |
| 0:52 |
| 13. | "Now or Never" |
|
| 3:50 |
| 14. | "Man in My Life" | Temperton | 4:32 | |
| 15. | "Can't Believe" |
| Soulshock and Karlin | 4:16 |
| 16. | "That's Why I Wanna Fight" |
|
| 4:35 |
| 17. | "Ride & Shake" |
| Dent | 4:00 |
| 18. | "Get Over (Outro)" | Harrison |
| 2:27 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18. | "Whatever Chick" |
|
| 4:18 |
| 19. | "Case of the Ex" (Sovereign Remix) |
| 5:42 | |
| 20. | "Get Over (Outro)" | Harrison |
| 2:27 |
Notes
Personnel
Musicians
- Robert Aaron – horn
- Beenie Man – vocals
- Michael Cain – keyboards
- Joe Davi – acoustic guitar
- Rick Davies – horn
- Traci Hale – backing vocals
- Norman Hedman – percussion
- Sean Hurley – bass guitar
- Jadakiss – vocals
- Elijah Joy – voice-over
- Jordan Knight – vocals
- Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes – vocals
- Maiesha Rashad – voice-over
- Marlon Williams – guitar
Production
- Mýa – vocals (lead and background), production, executive production
- Jerry Duplessis – production
- A. Islam Haqq – production, executive production
- Wyclef Jean – production
- Rodney Jerkins – production
- Kandi Burruss – production
- Pro-Jay – programming, production
- Chris "Tricky" Stewart – keyboards, programming, production
- Swizz Beatz – production
- Robin Thicke – programming, production
- Anthony Dent – programming, production
- Brandon Abeln – engineering
- Ralph Cacciurri – engineering
- Keith Cohen – engineering
- Kevin Crouse – engineering
- Chris Frame – engineering
- Brad Gilderman – engineering
- Jason Groucott – engineering, mix engineering
- Tal Herzberg – engineering
- Adam Holmstead – engineering
- Ricco Lumpkins – engineering
- Michael Sherman – engineering
- Brian "B Luv" Thomas – engineering
- Darrel Thorpe – engineering
- Richard Travali – engineering, mix engineering
- Dylan Vaughan – mix engineering
- Kieran Wagner – engineering
- Doug Woulson – engineering
- Kevin "KD" Davis – mixing, mix engineering
- Glen Marchese – mixing
- Manny Marroquin – mixing
- Tony Maserati – mixing
- Chris Athens – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[31] | Gold | 35,000^ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[32] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[33] | Platinum | 1,200,000[14] |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Edition(s) | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | April 25, 2000 | Standard[34] |
| |
| Japan | April 28, 2000 | CD | Universal | |
| Germany | June 19, 2000 | Standard[35] | ||
| United Kingdom | July 24, 2000 | Standard[36] | Polydor | |
| United States | November 7, 2000 | Reissue[37] |
| |
| United Kingdom | February 21, 2001 | Reissue[38] | Polydor | |
| Germany | May 8, 2001 | Reissue[39] | Universal | |
| Australia | August 21, 2001 | Standard |
References
- ^ a b c Hall, Rashaun (March 18, 2000). "Mya Shares Her 'Fear Of Flying'". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 12. p. 28. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
- ^ "Mya: More Than A Songstress". W.A.N.T.S. Lifestyle. Archived from the original on 2010-02-18. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Fear of Flying [Bonus Tracks]". AllMusic. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
- ^ "Mya Working On New LP With Wyclef, Swizz Beatz, She'kspere, More". MTV. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
- ^ "mya: learning to fly". MTV. Archived from the original on 2012-11-07. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Mya Battles Her Record Label Over Her New Album". Entertainment Weekly. 2016-11-20.
- ^ "LaChapelle Studio - Portraits - Mya". LaChapelle Studio. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
- ^ a b Azpiri, Jon (2000-04-25). "Fear of Flying - Mya". AllMusic. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
- ^ link
- ^ a b Tyrangiel, Josh (2000-05-01). "Fear of Flying Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
- ^ link
- ^ a b c d e f g "Mya Fear Of Flying CD". CD Universe. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
- ^ a b Harvey, Ernest (2000-05-11). "Mya: Fear Of Flying : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2007-11-17. Retrieved 2013-07-17.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "MISSING MYA". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
- ^ "HITS Daily Double: Previous Album Sales Chart". HitsDailyDouble. Archived from the original on 2013-01-25. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "HITS Daily Double: Previous Album Sales Chart". HitsDailyDouble. Archived from the original on 2000-11-17. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Mya Shoots Video For 'Best Of Me' Remix". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2011-04-21.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Australiancharts.com – Mýa – Fear of Flying". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 7252". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – Mýa – Fear of Flying". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Mýa – Fear of Flying" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Mýa – Fear of Flying". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Mýa – Fear of Flying". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
- ^ "Mya Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
- ^ "Mya Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
- ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Mya – Fear of Flying". Music Canada. January 15, 2001.
- ^ "American album certifications – Mýa – Fear of Flying". Recording Industry Association of America. March 28, 2001.
- ^ "Amazon.com: Fear of Flying: Mya: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
- ^ "MYA - FEAR OF FLYING - CD - musicline.de". Musicline.de. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
- ^ "Fear of Flying: Mya: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
- ^ "Amazon.com: Fear of Flying (New Version): Mya: Music: Reviews, Prices & more". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
- ^ "Fear of Flying: Mya: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
- ^ "MYA - FEAR OF FLYING - CD - musicline.de". Musicline.de. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
