K.I.S.S. (Mýa album)
Encyclopedia
K.I.S.S. is the sixth studio album
by American recording artist Mýa. It is her second studio album to be released by Manhattan Recordings
in Japan on April 20, 2011. Originally, scheduled for release April 6, 2011, however the album's release was delayed for two weeks due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
disaster, which triggered the Fukushima I nuclear accidents, and temporarily immobilized packaging of the CD album.
Production on K.I.S.S. was primarily handled by Jeff Miyahara
and Daisuke Imai with additional production from Chuck Harmony
, Young Yonny
, and Carvin & Ivan. Guest features included Marques Houston
, Iyaz
, and Sean Paul
. K.I.S.S. has spawned two singles thus far, "Fabulous Life" and "Runnin' Back" featuring international recording artist Iyaz
.
K.I.S.S. debuted at number sixty-one on the Japan Billboard Top Albums Chart
on May 2, 2011 with first week sales of 1,543 copies.
(a division of Lexington Corp). It is the follow-up album to the moderately successful Sugar & Spice
(2008). Sugar & Spice was preceded by its first and final single "Paradise". During her downtime she competed in the 9th season of Dancing with the Stars
and started an independent label titled Planet 9. She released her first mixtape (compilation) Beauty & the Streets Vol. 1 on her own label through J. Prince's Young Empire Music Group
.
While participating on Dancing with the Stars, Harrison began recording her next studio album; an album that would eventually become K.I.S.S.
, Mýa said K.I.S.S. stands for "Keep It Sexy and Simple." She named it that because it's sealed with a kiss as gift from me to my fans. It's about keeping it simple by keeping negative energy and unnecessary things to a minimum. Being simple is sexy to me.
. With additional contribution from Japanese musicians Jeff Miyahara
and Daisuke Imai and longtime collaborators Chuck Harmony
and Carvin & Ivan; while Lil' Eddie, Autumn Rowe
, and Shawn Stockman
, a member of Boyz II Men
each wrote or co-wrote track(s). In interview with AOL
, Mýa described the album as a "classic Mýa album" which always includes a variety of sounds and tempos, club bangers, soulful R&B, pop ballads and substance. When asked if she experimented with anything new on the album as far as sounds, she replied there are two j pop-inspired songs on the album, Fabulous Life and Alive
which both charted at #1 in Japan already. Further saying, "This is a new fun sound for me ... and I'm ready to have some FUN!".
"Runnin' Back", the album's second single is a flavored beat number with sweet mellow vocals. Another track, titled "Before U Say Goodbye" is described super catchy with a feeling of floating.
Harrison, who recorded many of the songs during her stint on Dancing with the Stars
, combined all different styles on the album. She wanted classic Mýa songs, dance, collaborations, urban, pop, slow jam ballads. Mýa says the album's title track "K.I.S.S." is a useful tune for this album because it explains the album. The album's last track "Evolve" begins with a cool feeling; it is about experiencing weakness or vulnerability. "Mess Up My Hair" was produced by Young Yonny
. Mýa and Young Yonny met while recording 2009's Beauty & The Streets Vol.1
and continue to work together on other projects as well. Marques Houston
is featured on "Love Me Some You" a slow jam love ballad. Harrison asked Marques Houston to record the song with her because she liked the tone of his voice; Harrison said the song was perfect for him. "Problem + Solution" was written by Afro-pop artist Tiwa Savage and Boyz II Men
member Shawn Stockman
. K.I.S.S. overall concept is simplicity.
and at number seventy-two on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart
with first-week sales of 1,543. In its second week, the album dropped 25 spots to number 97 on the Oricon Albums Chart and 16 spots to number 77 on Japan's Top Billboard Albums Chart, selling 1,422 copies. In its third week, the album dropped 21 spots to number 118 on the Oricon Albums Chart and 17 spots to number 94 on Japan's Top Billboard Albums Chart, selling 1,008 copies. In its fourth week, the album dropped 35 spots to number 153 on the Oricon Albums Chart, selling 625 copies. In its fifth week, the album dropped another 35 spots to number 188 on the Oricon Albums Chart, selling 485 copies. In its sixth week, the album dropped 82 spots to number 270 on the Oricon Album Chart, selling 419 copies.
Visuals and imagery
Instruments
Technical and production
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American recording artist Mýa. It is her second studio album to be released by Manhattan Recordings
Manhattan Records
Manhattan Records is a United States record label, owned by EMI and operates as a subsidiary of The Blue Note Label Group.-Company history:Manhattan Records was formed in 1984 by Bruce Lundvall, and was later renamed EMI Manhattan Records after absorbing EMI America Records imprint...
in Japan on April 20, 2011. Originally, scheduled for release April 6, 2011, however the album's release was delayed for two weeks due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
disaster, which triggered the Fukushima I nuclear accidents, and temporarily immobilized packaging of the CD album.
Production on K.I.S.S. was primarily handled by Jeff Miyahara
Jeff Miyahara
Jeff Miyahara is a Japanese-Korean record producer and song-writer raised in Los Angeles, today based in Tokyo, Japan.Since moving to Japan in 1999 to begin his career in the music industry, he has worked with many Japanese artists such as Spontania, JUJU, Miliyah Kato, Namie Amuro as well as...
and Daisuke Imai with additional production from Chuck Harmony
Chuck Harmony
Charles T. Harmon better known as Chuck Harmony is an American music producer, musician and songwriter, based in Los Angeles, California, USA.-Early life:Harmon was born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois...
, Young Yonny
Young Yonny
Young Yonny is a Hip-Hop producer from Cleveland, Ohio-Music career:Young Yonny has been producing music since 2005 for major Hip-Hop and R&B artists such as Lil Mo, Trina, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Trey Songz and many more. His first major placement was with Lil Wayne, on his multi platinum album:...
, and Carvin & Ivan. Guest features included Marques Houston
Marques Houston
Marques Barrett Houston is an American R&B singer, songwriter, rapper, and actor. A member of the R&B singing group Immature/IMx until 2002, he went solo in 2003. He is also the cousin of J-Boog, former member of the R&B/Hip-Hop group B2K....
, Iyaz
Iyaz
Keidran Jones , better known by his stage name Iyaz, is a singer signed with the record label Beluga Heights Records from the British Virgin Islands. His debut single "Replay", was released in 2009 and reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, number-one in the UK, Australia and the top ten...
, and Sean Paul
Sean Paul
Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques , who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican pop rap and reggae singer.-1973–1996: Early life:...
. K.I.S.S. has spawned two singles thus far, "Fabulous Life" and "Runnin' Back" featuring international recording artist Iyaz
Iyaz
Keidran Jones , better known by his stage name Iyaz, is a singer signed with the record label Beluga Heights Records from the British Virgin Islands. His debut single "Replay", was released in 2009 and reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, number-one in the UK, Australia and the top ten...
.
K.I.S.S. debuted at number sixty-one on the Japan Billboard Top Albums Chart
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
on May 2, 2011 with first week sales of 1,543 copies.
Background
K.I.S.S. is Harrison's second studio album to be released in Japan on Manhattan RecordingsManhattan Records
Manhattan Records is a United States record label, owned by EMI and operates as a subsidiary of The Blue Note Label Group.-Company history:Manhattan Records was formed in 1984 by Bruce Lundvall, and was later renamed EMI Manhattan Records after absorbing EMI America Records imprint...
(a division of Lexington Corp). It is the follow-up album to the moderately successful Sugar & Spice
Sugar & Spice (Mýa album)
-The Perfect Edition:-Chart:-Release history:-External links:* — official site...
(2008). Sugar & Spice was preceded by its first and final single "Paradise". During her downtime she competed in the 9th season of Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 9)
Dancing with the Stars returned for a ninth season on September 21, 2009, on a three-night premiere. Executive producer Conrad Green confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that the 9th season would start off with 16 celebrities, with 3 double-eliminations halfway through the season...
and started an independent label titled Planet 9. She released her first mixtape (compilation) Beauty & the Streets Vol. 1 on her own label through J. Prince's Young Empire Music Group
Rap-A-Lot Records
Rap-a-Lot Records is a Houston hip hop record label. Rap-a-Lot was created in 1986. Sublabels include Smoke-a-Lot Records. The label was founded by James Prince in the mid-1980s and, with its most famous act the Geto Boys, put the South on the hip hop map. Since then, it has maintained its success...
.
While participating on Dancing with the Stars, Harrison began recording her next studio album; an album that would eventually become K.I.S.S.
Album Title
In interview with AOLAOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
, Mýa said K.I.S.S. stands for "Keep It Sexy and Simple." She named it that because it's sealed with a kiss as gift from me to my fans. It's about keeping it simple by keeping negative energy and unnecessary things to a minimum. Being simple is sexy to me.
Conception & Production
Primary production on K.I.S.S. was handled by hip-hop producer Young YonnyYoung Yonny
Young Yonny is a Hip-Hop producer from Cleveland, Ohio-Music career:Young Yonny has been producing music since 2005 for major Hip-Hop and R&B artists such as Lil Mo, Trina, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Trey Songz and many more. His first major placement was with Lil Wayne, on his multi platinum album:...
. With additional contribution from Japanese musicians Jeff Miyahara
Jeff Miyahara
Jeff Miyahara is a Japanese-Korean record producer and song-writer raised in Los Angeles, today based in Tokyo, Japan.Since moving to Japan in 1999 to begin his career in the music industry, he has worked with many Japanese artists such as Spontania, JUJU, Miliyah Kato, Namie Amuro as well as...
and Daisuke Imai and longtime collaborators Chuck Harmony
Chuck Harmony
Charles T. Harmon better known as Chuck Harmony is an American music producer, musician and songwriter, based in Los Angeles, California, USA.-Early life:Harmon was born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois...
and Carvin & Ivan; while Lil' Eddie, Autumn Rowe
Autumn Rowe
Autumn Rowe is a New York based singer/songwriter who was born and raised in the Bronx. She honed her skills as part of the New York City Housing Authority Choir which also featured future hit songwriters, Claude Kelly and Lil Eddie, with whom Autumn established early friendships.Her formative...
, and Shawn Stockman
Shawn Stockman
Shawn Patrick Stockman is an American R&B singer, best known as a member of the vocal group Boyz II Men. He is also a judge on the television show The Sing-Off, alongside Sara Bareilles and Ben Folds....
, a member of Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
each wrote or co-wrote track(s). In interview with AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
, Mýa described the album as a "classic Mýa album" which always includes a variety of sounds and tempos, club bangers, soulful R&B, pop ballads and substance. When asked if she experimented with anything new on the album as far as sounds, she replied there are two j pop-inspired songs on the album, Fabulous Life and Alive
Alive (Mýa song)
"Alive" is a pop song by American singer-songwriter Mýa. The track was produced by DJ Komori and UTA for Manhattan Records compilation album Exclusive 2000-2010 DECADE BEST...
which both charted at #1 in Japan already. Further saying, "This is a new fun sound for me ... and I'm ready to have some FUN!".
"Runnin' Back", the album's second single is a flavored beat number with sweet mellow vocals. Another track, titled "Before U Say Goodbye" is described super catchy with a feeling of floating.
Harrison, who recorded many of the songs during her stint on Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 9)
Dancing with the Stars returned for a ninth season on September 21, 2009, on a three-night premiere. Executive producer Conrad Green confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that the 9th season would start off with 16 celebrities, with 3 double-eliminations halfway through the season...
, combined all different styles on the album. She wanted classic Mýa songs, dance, collaborations, urban, pop, slow jam ballads. Mýa says the album's title track "K.I.S.S." is a useful tune for this album because it explains the album. The album's last track "Evolve" begins with a cool feeling; it is about experiencing weakness or vulnerability. "Mess Up My Hair" was produced by Young Yonny
Young Yonny
Young Yonny is a Hip-Hop producer from Cleveland, Ohio-Music career:Young Yonny has been producing music since 2005 for major Hip-Hop and R&B artists such as Lil Mo, Trina, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Trey Songz and many more. His first major placement was with Lil Wayne, on his multi platinum album:...
. Mýa and Young Yonny met while recording 2009's Beauty & The Streets Vol.1
Beauty & The Streets Vol.1
Beauty & the Streets Vol. 1 is the first of two mixtapes by American singer-songwriter Mýa, released September 29, 2009 on her own independent label, Planet 9 and J. Prince's Young Empire Music Group...
and continue to work together on other projects as well. Marques Houston
Marques Houston
Marques Barrett Houston is an American R&B singer, songwriter, rapper, and actor. A member of the R&B singing group Immature/IMx until 2002, he went solo in 2003. He is also the cousin of J-Boog, former member of the R&B/Hip-Hop group B2K....
is featured on "Love Me Some You" a slow jam love ballad. Harrison asked Marques Houston to record the song with her because she liked the tone of his voice; Harrison said the song was perfect for him. "Problem + Solution" was written by Afro-pop artist Tiwa Savage and Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
member Shawn Stockman
Shawn Stockman
Shawn Patrick Stockman is an American R&B singer, best known as a member of the vocal group Boyz II Men. He is also a judge on the television show The Sing-Off, alongside Sara Bareilles and Ben Folds....
. K.I.S.S. overall concept is simplicity.
Commercial performance
K.I.S.S. debuted at number sixty-one on Japan's Top Billboard Albums ChartBillboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
and at number seventy-two on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
with first-week sales of 1,543. In its second week, the album dropped 25 spots to number 97 on the Oricon Albums Chart and 16 spots to number 77 on Japan's Top Billboard Albums Chart, selling 1,422 copies. In its third week, the album dropped 21 spots to number 118 on the Oricon Albums Chart and 17 spots to number 94 on Japan's Top Billboard Albums Chart, selling 1,008 copies. In its fourth week, the album dropped 35 spots to number 153 on the Oricon Albums Chart, selling 625 copies. In its fifth week, the album dropped another 35 spots to number 188 on the Oricon Albums Chart, selling 485 copies. In its sixth week, the album dropped 82 spots to number 270 on the Oricon Album Chart, selling 419 copies.
Tracklisting
Personnel
Managerial- A&R – Rambo Harrison, Kensuke Hara, Kazuya Sasamura
- Artist coordination – Jake McKim
- Business management – Theresa Harrison
- Executive producerExecutive producerAn executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
– Mýa Harrison - MarketingMarketingMarketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
– Takahiro Ikeda, Haruka Ikgeami, Mike Killmon - ManagementManagementManagement in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
– Sherman Harrison, Mike Killmon, Carol Rosenthal, Crystal Bozeman, Troy Ramsey, Teron Beal, Tatiana Noboa
Visuals and imagery
- Art directionArt directorThe art director is a person who supervise the creative process of a design.The term 'art director' is a blanket title for a variety of similar job functions in advertising, publishing, film and television, the Internet, and video games....
& designDesignDesign as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
– Motoki Mizoguchi - Clothing designFashion designFashion design is the art of the application of design and aesthetics or natural beauty to clothing and accessories. Fashion design is influenced by cultural and social latitudes, and has varied over time and place. Fashion designers work in a number of ways in designing clothing and accessories....
– André Adkins, Leon Frager - Hair stylistCosmetologyCosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty including hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, and electrology....
– Yusef - Make-upCosmeticsCosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and...
– Lisa Hayes - PhotographyPhotographyPhotography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
– Marc Baptiste - StylistWardrobe stylistA wardrobe stylist is the job title of someone who selects the clothing for published editorial features, print or television advertising campaigns, music videos, concert performances, and any public appearances made by celebrities, models or other public figures...
– Leon Frager
Instruments
- DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
– Alex Selph - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Daniel Groover - KeyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
– Alex Selph - PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
- Julian Brazer - Strings – Jonathan Perkins
Technical and production
- Backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
– Caramel M. Faith, Lindsay Fields, Krystle Oliver, Atozzio Town - EngineeringAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
– PJ Bianco, Mýa Harrison, Loren Hill, Mike Johnson, Jared Newcomb, Rich Shelton, Young Yonny - MasteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
– Tucky@parasight - MixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
– Ivan Barias, Brandon Bishop, Ben Chang, D.O.I., Carvin Haggins, John Ho, Satoshi Hosoi, Mike Johnson, Mike Mo, Frankie Mumbles, Nemhara, Young Yonny - RecordingSound recording and reproductionSound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
– Jeff Miyahara
Chart
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Billboard Top Albums Chart Billboard charts The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine... |
61 | 5,502 |
| Japan Oricon Albums Chart Oricon , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc... |
72 | |
| Japan Oricon International Albums Chart Oricon , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc... |
17 | |
| Japan Top Independent Albums & Singles Chart Billboard charts The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine... |
8 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
April 13, 2011 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
Manhattan Recordings Manhattan Records Manhattan Records is a United States record label, owned by EMI and operates as a subsidiary of The Blue Note Label Group.-Company history:Manhattan Records was formed in 1984 by Bruce Lundvall, and was later renamed EMI Manhattan Records after absorbing EMI America Records imprint... |
| April 20, 2011 | CD Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... |
||