The production on Mya was primarily handled by Swing Mob member Darryl Pearson with additional contributions from Daryl Simmons, Alex "Cat" Cantrall, Joey Priolo, and Nokio the N-Tity.

Mya peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over 1.4 million copies in the United States.

As a child, Mya was an accomplished, gifted dancer who had trained with Savion Glover, Gregory Hines, and the Dance Theater of Harlem.

Using her photographic memory, she had studied documentary footage of such masters as Gregory Hines, the Nicholas Brothers, Buster Brown, Honi Coles, and Sammy Davis Jr. Mya ended up doing a number of residencies with Glover, who gave her a solo spot in a Kennedy Center performance when she was 14.

Eventually, Mya developed enough courage to sing for some dance class pals, who encouraged her to break the silence at home.

[1][2][3] Islam often referred to Mya as "his Diana Ross", commenting that "she has a vocal ability that can be heard in a room full of singers; her flow is tantamount to a rapper.

He explained that his label "were going after the Madonna/Janet Jackson spot, dance and pop", while also targeting the teenage cotillion of fellow teen R&B singers Brandy, Aaliyah, and Monica.

[4] Due to his rising connections within the industry, Islam was able to hire an elite team of collaborators, including Dru Hill, another University act, rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, and musicians such as Darryl Pearson, Diane Warren and Babyface.

[2] The singer co-wrote many of the songs on the album, including "If You Died I Wouldn't Cry Cause You Never Loved Me Anyway", where she puts a voice to the gut-wrenching pain some woman feel at the end of a relationship.

[2] An R&B album, Mya comprises 12 tracks and encompasses smooth R&B ballads, strong hip hop raps and funky danceable tunes.

Glistened with an acoustic guitar and a slow programmed drumbeat, the ballad is in reminiscent of the earlier music of Janet Jackson.

It is a "seductive" psychedelic R&B slow jam, rhythm-driven duet in which Mya plays a dominant, confident sex object.

"[11] Having one of the longest names for a song, the "curiously ambivalent" "If You Died I Wouldn't Cry Caused You Never Loved Me Anyway," serves as the album's sixth track.

Produced by Nokio the N-Tity of Dru Hill, "If You Died I Wouldn't Cry Caused You Never Loved Me Anyway," is a tune about finding the strength in yourself to let go of a person who means you harm.

[6] Closing the album is the "soothing" ballad "My First Night with You," a "tender" beautifully arranged Babyface/Diane Warren penned tune about a non-sexual experience with a significant other.

In addition to video and television appearances, Mya was featured on Puff Daddy's concert tour which also included Dru Hill.

To continue to create an ongoing buzz for herself, she opened the boy group Boyz II Men tour from April 26 to July 26.

A remix version of "Movin' On", featuring additional vocals from rapper Silkk the Shocker", was released as the album's second single.

AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine called the album a "thoroughly promising debut" that compromises "a fine set of songs that manage to sound universal and strangely confessional", while describing it as "a smooth, sultry collection of well-crafted contemporary urban soul that is actually richer than the average urban record the late '90s.

"[13] In his review for The Washington Post, journalist Richard Harrington wrote that Mya made "a strong first impression with her own eponymous debut.

"[14] Paul Verna of Billboard found that Mya "scored on her debut album by addressing issues of concern to women without spewing cuss words."

[15] Ayana B. Byrd of Vibe expressed that on Mya, the "Washington, D.C. native always sings with a voice that is clear, strong, and assured", adding that the album combined "round-the-way girl sass with an artist's sensibility.

"[12] Jessica Simmons of The Michigan Daily described the album in one phrase:"OK, but nothing special" and noted aside from a few select songs like "Baby It's Yours" and "If You Were Mines," — "the rest are easily forgettable."

"[16] Portsmouth Daily Times associated writer Nekesa Moody opined the singer "shines on her self-titled debut despite being bogged down occasionally with some run-of-the-mill material.

[32] Anita M. Samuels of Billboard commented, "The vocalist/dancer was introduced to R&B audiences via Sisqo of Dru Hill with the single, "It's All About Me," making her a viable competitor with artists such as Aaliyah.

Additionally, MTV heavily went into rotation on two film-related songs on which Mya was the featured vocalist, including Pras's "Ghetto Supastar" from Bulworth and Blackstreet's "Take Me There" from The Rugrats Movie.

[3] Sharing her opinion on Harrison's success, author Stacy-Deanne expressed, "With strong R&B vocals and super hip-hop tracks, Mya was labeled the new "Ghetto Princess" – she was the new "it" girl.

Directed and choreographed by Brian Friedman, it features the singer dancing solo in heels with a mixture of desire and self-assurance.