Maeta Is Quickly Blossoming Into R&B's Latest Powerhouse
In the world of contemporary R&B, few rising artists have made as big of an impact as Maeta. With her powerful vocals and relatable lyrics, the young singer has quickly gained a reputation as a rising star to watch. Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Maeta's musical journey began at a young age. As she got older, Maeta's passion for music only grew, and she eventually started writing her own songs. After uploading her music to SoundCloud, Maeta caught the attention of industry insiders and signed a deal with Roc Nation. Since then, Maeta has continued to make waves in the R&B scene with her honest and introspective lyrics and her soulful voice. In this article, we'll take a closer look at Maeta's rise to fame and explore some of her most popular songs.
Maeta's upcoming project, S(EX), showcases her evolution as an artist and her willingness to explore new sonic territories. Due to release in the coming weeks, the EP features six tracks that touch on themes of love, heartbreak, and sexual empowerment. One of the standout tracks on the EP is "You Lie," a collaboration with R&B superstar Kehlani that showcases both artists' vocal abilities and chemistry.
In addition to Kehlani, Maeta also collaborated with legendary producer Pharrell Williams on the track "Loving Her." The song features Pharrell's signature production style, with a catchy beat and funky bassline that complement Maeta's smooth vocals.
We sit down with Maeta to discuss her upcoming releases and artistic perspective. As she continues to make music and collaborate with other artists, it's clear that Maeta has a bright future ahead of her in the world of R&B.
Words by Marvin Merela
Creative Direction: Derrick Odafi
Producer Jonni
Photographer Guled Hassan
Art Director Annie Alvin
Movement Director Maycei-Anne St-Louis
Gaffer Myles Wilkinson
Gaffer's Assistant Ian Blackburn
MUA Summar Hunjan
Hairstylist Anoushka Danielle
Talk to us about your new single S(EX)?
Well my new single sex was written by Kehlani and Ant Clemons.
It's about my sex life with my ex. Me and him love each other but just can’t be together.
How was it collaborating with Kehlani for the song?
I actually just got sent the song - I didn't know she wrote it, it was her vocals. I thought it was a song she didn't keep so I got it but she actually wrote it.
She liked it and she approved my version, so yeah it was pretty good.
Congratulations on being with Roc Nation also - can you explain your process of getting signed? And how collaboratively you’ve felt supported?
So I got signed right before 2019. Omar, who is the president now, who is my AnR, literally saw me doing covers on Instagram and he liked what he saw, so he flew to Indiana, like a week before Thanksgiving and got dinner with me and I was signed literally like 3 weeks later. So then I flew to LA for a few months, and just never went back home, and now it's been almost like 4 years.
They’ve helped me so much! Just guidance and putting me in sessions.I love working on music with Omar because he kind of just gets me and I love the sound that we’re creating together but I love having Roc Nation as a family so it's great.
Top, Yáng Yáng
Skirt, Yáng Yáng
Shoes, Topshop
The single debuted at New York fashion week, major congratulations! Would you describe yourself as somebody interested in fashion and if so, are there any designers you are looking out for?
Yes, I'm still figuring out my style, I know what I like, but I’m still figuring out how to put it together on my own without the help of a stylist.
But I love it, I love the colors and the shapes and all that stuff.
Massive congrats on collaborating with Pharrell on your new project also - how was that experience and is there anything you can share with regards to the capacity of the work?
Well my A&R Omar who signed me was in a meeting with him and played him some of my songs, and he said I was special or something and he wanted to work with me, so I ended up flying to Miami and went to his studio and we worked for like 2 days, and it was amazing. I loved working with him so much, there was no pressure, he was very positive and just exciting and warm to be around, and he wants to work on my album.
So more sessions with Pharell coming soon!
Dress, PosterGirl
Skirt, Lydia Green
Boots: Artist’s own
I ended up flying to Miami and went to his [Pharrell's] studio, and we worked for like 2 days, and it was amazing. I loved working with him so much
In keeping with your new project S(EX) - are there any surprising themes you’re thinking of addressing? Something we wouldn’t expect given the title?
Yes, my next single ASMR, it's very expected given the title but I’ve never talked like that on a song. But I do love the song, and I'm very excited and nervous for people to hear it.
How also would you describe the differences between this cycle and the one you experienced while creating Habits and Do Not Disturb?
I think I just know what I want now, I'm still young but I was very young and into the music business then, and kinda just throwing out music trying to just to gain fans. Now I feel like I have established a core fanbase, and I think I'm just comfortable and more bold with my music, and things are just running a lot more smoothly than they have in the past
Now I feel like I have established a core fanbase, and I think I'm just comfortable and more bold with my music
What is your favorite song you’ve ever made and why?
Its called Sexual Love its featuring James Fauntleroy, it's the intro to my project, and I just really really love the song, I feel like if I heard somebody else put that song out, I'd be like I want that song for myself so I'm just so glad and lucky that I have it.
Who were your musical influences when growing up?
Growing up my family listened to a lot of soft rock like John Mayer, kinda like folky things, which is like the Indiana nostalgia I feel when I listen to those things. Going into middle school and high school all my friends played RnB, so like Jazmine Sullivan, Keyshia Cole, Beyonce and Brandy.
I was in love with Keri Hilson for a long time - I got into RnB when I was like 12/13 and then I just stuck with RnB.
Lastly, What are you looking forward to most in 2023? Music and non music ?
I have so much music coming - I have my EP, my Kaytranada project that’s coming soon, Christmas project at the end of the year and then my album, so I have a lot of work to do but I’m just really excited.
I'm trying to take a trip to Rio - I’ve been wanting to go to Rio forever and I want to go for like a week or 2 and just be a tropical girl and get a tan.
