Maya Azucena
Encyclopedia
Maya Azucena is an American singer-songwriter and cultural ambassador from Brooklyn, NY. She attended the LaGuardia School of Performing Arts. She independently released her debut CD "Maya Who?!" at shows and from her website.
on his 2007 record Mind Control
. Her performance helped the album win the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.
Maya has developed a successful musical relationship with Croatian singer Gibonni
. She sang on his 2006 album Unca Fibre, which garnered two Croatian Grammy Awards (aka 'Porin'). Aside from appearing on his records, Maya has joined him in extensive touring and television appearances throughout Europe.
Maya sang with Peruvian American rapper Immortal Technique
on the track 'Crimes Of The Heart' from the 2008 album The Third World.
In response to the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, Maya sang with emcee Cormega
on his tribute song I Made A Difference. The song also featured Redman
, The Revelations
, and various other artists.
She sings on the new Fitz & The Tantrums
album Pickin' Up the Pieces
. Maya's Vocals are most prominently featured on the tracks Breakin' The Chains Of Love and Winds Of Change. The album has received critical acclaim and has reached #2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.
Maya sang on the 2002 Norman Brown
album Just Chillin'
. The album won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album.
, Paul Rusesabagina
, George Clooney
, Elie Wiesel
and numerous other performers, activists, and celebrities.
Maya recently performed as a part of Marcus Miller's Concert for Japanese Tsunami Relief. She sang alongside bassist Marcus Miller
, keyboardist Robert Glasper
, and rapper Q-Tip
.
She wrote two songs for the IFC documentary Lockdown USA, which examines the 1972 Rockefeller Drug Laws. USA
She provided music for Emmy-Winning UN documentarian Lisa Russel's latest film Not Yet Rain, regarding the advancement of Women's health laws and reproductive rights in Ethiopia.
Maya performed two years in a row at the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure in NYC Central Park. The race is a massive fundraiser for breast cancer research.
Maya produced Hope Night, a concert event devoted to domestic abuse awareness. The event brought together several nonprofit organizations and speakers, including Governor ’’David Paterson’’.
In 2008 Maya and her band did a 5-week US State Department-sponsored tour of Burma, China, Philippines and Sri-Lanka as part of The Rhythm Road/American Music Abroad Program, performing concerts and workshops while appearing national press in an effort to create cultural exchange.
Since then, in 2009, Maya did a similar tour for cultural exchange in Honduras and El Salvador, and will be returning to Honduras for another program.
In response to tours of this nature, Maya was invited to the White House to celebrate the Global Cultural Initiative.
Azucena is currently in the final stages of completing her newest CD titled “Cry Love”.
Solo Work
- Maya's first release was her 2003 album Maya Who?!. The album was independently released and was followed by American and European tours. CD BABY said of the album, "Deep and soul-bearing, she sings like she's been everywhere and seen it all. This soul/R&B/hip hop album is a fantastic launching point for a young woman with a bright and long career ahead of her." The album featured guest artist Neal Evans of SouliveSouliveSoulive is a funk/jazz trio that originated in Woodstock, New York, and is known for its solos and catchy, upbeat songs. The band consists of Eric Krasno , Alan Evans , Neal Evans...
. Maya Who?! reached number 15 on CMJ's 2003 New Music Report. - Her 2007 single, Make it Happen, combined various styles into a track that peaked at #3 on Billboard's Hot Club Dance Chart. The track was released on a CD by Kult Records that featured several remixes.
- Maya's second major release was her 2007 album, Junkyard Jewel on Purpose Music Group Records. The album is an all acoustic performance of vocals, guitar, percussion. The album also featured cello and violin on certain tracks. The song "Set You Free" was used in a Ford Motors Podcast. The song "Down, Down" was used in an episode of HBO'S The WireThe WIREthe WIRE is the student-run College radio station at the University of Oklahoma, broadcasting in a freeform format. The WIRE serves the University of Oklahoma and surrounding communities, and is staffed by student DJs. The WIRE broadcasts at 1710 kHz AM in Norman, Oklahoma...
. The album was nominated for Best Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year at the SoulTracks Reader's Choice Awards. - In 2008, Taste This, a mix CD made by AMORE was released into circulation. The CD featured Rich Medina, Stephen MarleyStephen Marley (musician)Stephen Robert Nesta "Raggamuffin" Marley is a Jamaican American musician and the son of reggae legend Bob Marley and his wife Rita Marley. He is a five-time Grammy award winner as an artist, producer, and member of Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers.-Life and career:Marley was born in Wilmington,...
, BuckshotBuckshot (rapper)Buckshot is an underground rapper, famous as the leader of Hip Hop supergroup Boot Camp Clik, and the group Black Moon. He has released one solo album, two with producer 9th Wonder, four albums with Black Moon and four albums with the Boot Camp Clik.- Biography :Born and raised in Brooklyn...
and many others. - In 2009, she released a Video for her song Get it Together. The song was inspired by the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
. The video was directed by Seth Kushner.
Collaborations
Maya sang a duet with Stephen MarleyStephen Marley (musician)
Stephen Robert Nesta "Raggamuffin" Marley is a Jamaican American musician and the son of reggae legend Bob Marley and his wife Rita Marley. He is a five-time Grammy award winner as an artist, producer, and member of Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers.-Life and career:Marley was born in Wilmington,...
on his 2007 record Mind Control
Mind Control (Stephen Marley album)
Mind Control is the debut album of Stephen Marley, released on 20 March, 2007. The album won a Grammy in 2008 for Best Reggae Album.- Track listing :# "Mind Control"# "Hey Baby" # "Officer Jimmy"...
. Her performance helped the album win the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.
Maya has developed a successful musical relationship with Croatian singer Gibonni
Zlatan Stipišic Gibonni
Zlatan Stipišić Gibonni is a Croatian singer, musician and composer from Split.Born in a family with a strong musical tradition , Zlatan Stipišić, who later embraced the nickname Gibonni, began his career in 1980s with the heavy metal band Osmi putnik.Gibonni started his solo career in 1990s with...
. She sang on his 2006 album Unca Fibre, which garnered two Croatian Grammy Awards (aka 'Porin'). Aside from appearing on his records, Maya has joined him in extensive touring and television appearances throughout Europe.
Maya sang with Peruvian American rapper Immortal Technique
Immortal Technique
Felipe Andres Coronel , better known by the stage name Immortal Technique, is an American rapper of Afro-Peruvian descent as well as an urban activist. He was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Harlem, New York. Most of his lyrics focus on controversial issues in global politics...
on the track 'Crimes Of The Heart' from the 2008 album The Third World.
In response to the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, Maya sang with emcee Cormega
Cormega
Cory Mckay , better known as Cormega, is an American emcee best known for his vivid and poignant narratives about inner-city life.- Early life :...
on his tribute song I Made A Difference. The song also featured Redman
Redman
Reginald "Reggie" Noble , better known by his stage name Redman, is an American MC, rapper, DJ, record producer and actor. He came to fame in the early 1990s as an artist on the Def Jam label. He is also well known for his collaborations with Method Man, including their starring roles in films and...
, The Revelations
The Revelations
The Revelations are a British based girl group formed in 2005.The members are of British, Swedish and Portuguese extraction, consisting of Swedish blonde Annika Magnberg , Portuguese brunette Sarah Vitorino , and redhead Louise Masters...
, and various other artists.
She sings on the new Fitz & The Tantrums
Fitz & the Tantrums
Fitz and The Tantrums are an American soul/indie pop band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2008. Their debut studio album, Pickin' Up the Pieces, released in August 2010, has received critical acclaim and reached #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. They were heralded as a "band to watch"...
album Pickin' Up the Pieces
Pickin' Up the Pieces (album)
Pickin' Up the Pieces is the debut studio album by American soul group Fitz and The Tantrums. Produced by Chris Seefried and vocalist Michael Fitzpatrick, the album was first released on August 24, 2010 in the United States on independent label Dangerbird Records. After the success of their...
. Maya's Vocals are most prominently featured on the tracks Breakin' The Chains Of Love and Winds Of Change. The album has received critical acclaim and has reached #2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.
Maya sang on the 2002 Norman Brown
Norman Brown (guitarist)
Norman Brown is a smooth jazz guitarist & singer, often compared to his contemporary George Benson.-Overview:...
album Just Chillin'
Just Chillin'
Just Chillin' is an album by American guitarist and singer Norman Brown, released in 2002 through Warner Bros. Records. In 2003, the album won Brown the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album.-Reception:-Track listing:...
. The album won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album.
Acknowledgements
- Her song “Make It Happen” made it to #3 on the Billboard Dance chart.
- She was named Best Alternative Artist by AllHipHop.com
- She won three awards including Best Female Vocal in the international competition for ABC Radio Network Fame Games Effigy Awards
- Nominated for Best Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year at the Reader's Choice Soul Tracks Awards
- The Network Journal's 13th Annual List of outstanding business, leadership, and community Service recognized Maya in the Top 40 Under Forty Achievement award.
Activism & Human Rights
Maya has devoted a significant amount of her career to human rights participation. In 2006, Maya sang at the ‘’ Save Darfur: Rally to Stop Genocide" on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in solidarity with Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, Paul Rusesabagina
Paul Rusesabagina
Paul Rusesabagina is a Rwandan humanitarian who has been internationally honored for saving 1,268 refugees during the Rwandan Genocide. He was the assistant manager of the Sabena Hôtel des Mille Collines before he became the manager of the Hôtel des Diplomates, both in Kigali, Rwanda...
, George Clooney
George Clooney
George Timothy Clooney is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. For his work as an actor, he has received two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award...
, Elie Wiesel
Elie Wiesel
Sir Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel KBE; born September 30, 1928) is a Hungarian-born Jewish-American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel Laureate, and Holocaust survivor. He is the author of 57 books, including Night, a work based on his experiences as a prisoner in the Auschwitz, Buna, and...
and numerous other performers, activists, and celebrities.
Maya recently performed as a part of Marcus Miller's Concert for Japanese Tsunami Relief. She sang alongside bassist Marcus Miller
Marcus Miller
Marcus Miller is an American jazz composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Miller is best known as a bassist, working with trumpeter Miles Davis, singer Luther Vandross, and saxophonist David Sanborn, as well as maintaining a prolific solo career...
, keyboardist Robert Glasper
Robert Glasper
Robert Glasper in Houston, Texas is an American jazz pianist and record producer.-Career:Glasper’s earliest musical influence was his mother, Kim Yvette Glasper, who sang jazz and blues professionally. She would bring him with her to club dates rather than leave her son with babysitters...
, and rapper Q-Tip
Q-Tip (rapper)
Kamaal Ibn John Fareed , better known by his stage name Q-Tip, is an American hip hop artist, producer, singer, and actor from St. Albans, Queens, New York, part of the critically acclaimed group A Tribe Called Quest...
.
She wrote two songs for the IFC documentary Lockdown USA, which examines the 1972 Rockefeller Drug Laws. USA
She provided music for Emmy-Winning UN documentarian Lisa Russel's latest film Not Yet Rain, regarding the advancement of Women's health laws and reproductive rights in Ethiopia.
Maya performed two years in a row at the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure in NYC Central Park. The race is a massive fundraiser for breast cancer research.
Maya produced Hope Night, a concert event devoted to domestic abuse awareness. The event brought together several nonprofit organizations and speakers, including Governor ’’David Paterson’’.
In 2008 Maya and her band did a 5-week US State Department-sponsored tour of Burma, China, Philippines and Sri-Lanka as part of The Rhythm Road/American Music Abroad Program, performing concerts and workshops while appearing national press in an effort to create cultural exchange.
Since then, in 2009, Maya did a similar tour for cultural exchange in Honduras and El Salvador, and will be returning to Honduras for another program.
In response to tours of this nature, Maya was invited to the White House to celebrate the Global Cultural Initiative.
Azucena is currently in the final stages of completing her newest CD titled “Cry Love”.
Albums
- Maya Who?!, 2003
- What You Don't Already Have, 2005
- The Rooftop: A LIVE SHOT, 2006
- Make It Happen (Gotta get up), 2007
- Junkyard Jewel, 2007
- Taste This, 2008