Meet Maya Rosalia

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maya Rosalia. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Maya , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

To be quite honest, I’m not entirely sure where it all comes from, I feel like it’s something I was born with. But around the age of nine, I really began diving into the music industry, looking up to artists who I admired deeply. I was fascinated by young female performers like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Selena Gomez. What amazed me about these artists was their ability to do it all sing, dance, perform, create. Taylor Swift, in particular, inspired me when I saw her writing and performing her own songs at such a young age. Watching them, I realized that I could pursue something similar not necessarily to be like them, but to join them in what they were doing, to chase that level of creativity and craft in my own way.

From that point, I became deeply interested in the business side of music. I researched managers, touring, and the inner workings of the industry. I would gather my friends to sing, perform covers, form little bands, and even write original songs. I think I was drawn to leadership, bringing people together to create music, and always encouraged others to believe in their abilities, too. We would talk about our favorite artists and music videos, and I would tell them, “We can do that too.”

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Maya Rosalia: a singer, songwriter, and music producer. I’ve been writing music since I was about nine years old, i would often invite my friends to co-write with me and dream up performances together. Collaboration has always been an important part of my journey, especially as I’ve had the chance to work with others in the industry who continually challenge me and push me beyond my comfort zone.

Last year was a critical moment for me: I released my single You Never Cared, a song that had been in the works for a few years, alongside my debut music video. Since then, I’ve continued to collaborate with fellow artists and producers, and I’m currently working on a new single that carries forward the same cinematic tone as You Never Cared. The upcoming video takes on a more whimsical, imaginative direction something that feels both fresh and true to my artistic spirit.

My sound has always been eclectic, shaped by a wide range of influences from classical and opera to pop, country, hip-hop, dance-pop, and even musical theatre. I love combing together these worlds, and I aim to incorporate all of those influences in the future.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I’ve found that being myself has always been the most effective way to connect with others. People often describe me as charismatic, but what really helps me build meaningful connections is sharing my genuine excitement and passion especially for music. When people see how deeply I care about what I do, they often want to collaborate, not just because of my skills, but because of my energy and dedication.

I’ve always been a hard worker with high standards for myself, which pushes me to grow, though it can also be a challenge at times. Still, my love for music keeps me grounded and authentic. I don’t try to put on a façade I’d rather be real, even when that means being vulnerable. I believe authenticity makes music relatable, and that honesty has been one of my greatest strengths and one of the best things fellow songwriters can do.

I’m also endlessly curious. I love learning, whether from professors, collaborators, or even celebrities I’ve met who’ve served as role models. I stay confident in my abilities, but I never assume I know everything, there’s always something valuable to gain from others. That open mindedness has shaped me into a better artist and collaborator and is some thing I think that is essential to have in this business.

Having eclectic taste in music has also been a huge advantage. While I have my own natural preferences, I’m always open to exploring new sounds and genres. At the end of the day, I think it’s that blend of passion, authenticity, curiosity, and openness that allows someone to be a great artist.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I think it’s essential to lean into your strengths, especially at a young age. For me, that has always meant songwriting, lyricism, and vocal training. But at the same time, there’s so much to master in music, music theory, instruments, and of course, production. Production in particular has been an area where I’ve felt like a beginner, constantly learning and stretching myself.

I only really began producing about a year ago, and it wasn’t something I originally envisioned for myself. I always thought I would focus solely on writing and performing. But my curiosity (and a few difficult experiences with unreliable producers) pushed me to explore that side of music. I wouldn’t say it came naturally to me at all, but the process of taking classes, studying with engineers, and simply practicing has opened up my creative horizons in ways I never expected. Even though production wasn’t my strength, it’s made me more well-rounded, more respected in the industry, and more capable of bringing my full vision to life.That’s why I think it’s important to not only rely on your strengths but also to push yourself into areas where you’re not immediately comfortable. Sticking to what you know can only take you so far. Exploring new skills keeps you growing.

Outside of music, mental health and psychology have been another passion of mine. While it may not seem directly connected to the industry, I’ve found it invaluable as both a songwriter and a person. Reading psychology books and diving into research has helped me better understand myself, cope with the challenges of this career, and bring more depth and empathy to my music. So yes, I absolutely believe in building on your strengths, but I also believe that embracing new challenges and cultivating outside interests keeps you well-rounded and grounded.

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Image Credits

Gina Main Photography

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