Fear of Flying (album)

Fear of Flying
Studio album by
Mya
ReleasedApril 25, 2000 (2000-04-25)
RecordedSeptember 1999 – March 2000
Studio
GenreHip hop soul[1]
Length63:44
Label
Producer
Mya chronology
Mya
(1998) 		Fear of Flying
(2000) 		Moodring
(2003)
Singles from Fear of Flying
  1. "The Best of Me"
    Released: March 22, 2000[2]
  2. "Case of the Ex"
    Released: July 11, 2000[3]
  3. "Free"
    Released: November 21, 2000[4]

Fear of Flying is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Mya, released on April 25, 2000, by University Music Entertainment and Interscope Records. Following the success of her debut album Mya (1998), Interscope promptly allocated the singer studio time and assembled recording sessions beginning as early as September 1999 which concluded in March 2000. For this record, Mya made the conscious decision to become involved more creatively, opting to pen her own lyrics after securing a publishing deal to launch her own publishing company as well as collaborate with a wider range of established producers and songwriters on the album. Looking to embrace a more mature sound, Harrison consulted and collaborated with a bevy of producers which included Rodney Jerkins, Swizz Beatz, Wyclef Jean, Knobody, Robin Thicke, Tricky Stewart, and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

A hip hop soul album, Mya described Fear of Flying as a metaphor for the ups and downs of life, a theme present throughout the album which includes handling things like an adult and knowing you must have faith to make anything happen.[5] Lyrically, the album's material addressed the singer's romantic relationships which symbolized her relationship with family, friends and acquaintances.[6] Noting that Fear of Flying is "a reflection of being in love for the very first time, experiencing success and the fears of fame."[7]

Upon its release, the album received mixed reviews from music critics citing some of the album's "tepid material." Commercially well received, Fear of Flying debuted with a Top 20 placement at number 15 on the Billboard 200. Initially though, the album stalled on the charts until the release of the album's second single and in turn solidified Fear of Flying a hit garnering multiplatinum success.[8] To keep the album's momentum, nearly seven months after its original release, Fear of Flying was re–released with two new additional songs on November 7, 2000.[9]

In support of the album, three singles were released – "The Best of Me", "Case of the Ex", and "Free", which attained international chart success. Due to the album's success, Fear of Flying earned Soul Train Awards and MOBO nominations.

Considered her most expressive effort to date, Fear of Flying helped established Mya as a household name in mainstream media and redefine a golden age for R&B. In April 2020, to commemorate the album's twentieth anniversary, Universal Music Group released an expanded edition featuring over 10 rare remixes and bonus tracks.[10]


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  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference time was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Crossover Nation" (PDF). American Radio History. March 20, 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  3. ^ "AddVance Notice" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1358. July 7, 2000. p. 54. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  4. ^ "Urban" (PDF). World Radio History. November 17, 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  5. ^ Hall, Rashaun (March 18, 2000). "Mya Shares Her 'Fear Of Flying'". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 12. p. 28. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ Mishra, Kunal (June 14, 2000). "Mya fails to show growth on new CD". The Daily Cougar. Vol. 65, no. 151. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  7. ^ "Mya: More Than A Songstress". W.A.N.T.S. Lifestyle. Archived from the original on February 18, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
  8. ^ "Honey – Page 36". Google Books. February 2002. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  9. ^ "Fear of Flying [Bonus Tracks]". AllMusic. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  10. ^ Stavropoules, Laura (April 24, 2020). "Mýa's 'Fear Of Flying' Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Expanded Digital Reissue". UDiscoverMusic. Retrieved February 13, 2021.