May-a
{{Short description|Australian musician}}
{{Redirect-distinguish|All Girls Aren't the Same|All Girls Are the Same}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = May-a
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| landscape =
| alt =
| birth_name = Maya Cumming
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|2001|08|24}}
| genre =
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar}}
| years_active = 2019–present
| origin = Sydney
| label = Atlantic Records Sony Music Australia{{cite web |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/may-a-signs-with-sony-music/ |title=MAY-A signs with Sony Music, drops new single "Apricots" |work=The Music Network
|date=7 October 2020 |access-date=2 March 2021 |author=Challenor, Jake}}
| website = {{URL|www.may-amusic.com/}}
}}
Maya Cumming (born 2001), known professionally as May-a (stylised in all caps), is an Australian singer-songwriter from Sydney.{{Cite web|last=Fuamoli|first=Sose|date=2020-10-07|title=First Spin: MAY-A's newie sees the artist emerge as a proper pop whiz|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/first-spin-may-a-apricots/12739796|access-date=2021-07-04|publisher=Triple J|language=en}}
On 2 February 2022, Cumming was featured on the single "Say Nothing", a collaboration with Australian electronic musician and producer Flume.
Early life
May-a grew up in Sydney, but moved to Byron in 2010. She moved back to Sydney age 13.{{cite web |last1=Raza-Sheikh |first1=Zoya |title=Meet MAY-A: the YouTuber turned indie-pop star making unapologetically queer bangers |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/amplify/meet-may-a-the-youtuber-turned-indie-pop-star-making-unapologetically-queer-bangers/ |website=GAY TIMES |access-date=23 February 2022 |date=28 July 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Newstead |first1=Al |title=First Play: Future stars Budjerah & MAY-A join forces on suave collab 'Talk' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/future-stars-budjerah-may-a-suave-collab-song-talk-ultimate-duet/13555138 |website=triple j |access-date=23 February 2022 |date=23 September 2021}} While living in Byron Bay she competed in songwriting competitions, and performed street busking around the ages of 11 to 14.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/program-unearthed/maya-unearthed-feature-artist-green-all-girls-arent-the-same/12350744|title=Maya Unearthed Feature Artist Green All Girls Arent The Same|date=15 June 2020|website=triple j}}{{cite web|url=https://americansongwriter.com/apricots-may-a-song-interview/|title=Apricots May-a Song Interview|date=7 October 2020 }} She started out posting videos on YouTube under the username Heyit'smaya.{{cite web |last1=Cahill |first1=Mikey |title=MAY-A: Singer-songwriter parlaying YouTube success into heart-on-sleeve indie pop confessionals |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/features/music-interviews/may-a-byron-bay-singer-songwriter-youtube-apricots-interview-2021-2943742 |website=NME |access-date=23 February 2022 |date=19 May 2021}}
Prior to discovering her attraction to women, May-a stated she was in a "super awkward" relationship with a boy that inspired her song "Apricots".{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Kristin |title=MAY-A Tells Her Queer Coming-of-Age Story in "Apricots" Video |url=https://www.onestowatch.com/blog/may-a-tells-her-queer-coming-of-age-story-in |website=Ones to Watch |access-date=14 September 2021 |date=20 October 2020}}
Career
May-a released her debut single "Fools Paradise" in September 2019. This was followed by "All Girls Aren't the Same", which is a twist of Juice WRLD's "All Girls Are the Same" and is a song about how women should know their worth, everyone is an individual with different quirks."
On 1 May 2020, May-a released her third single, "Green" saying "'Green' is an outlook on the way that validation fuels the way we live, especially in green teens. Young, impressionable and desperate to be accepted by people they don't even like." adding "I wrote it when I was 15 and bored by the hierarchy of high school. It paints a picture of the things that teenagers think are important until they realise they aren't."
In August 2020, May-a toured with Wafia and signed with Sony Music Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/making-waves-radio-plays-tiktok-youtube-maya-mia-headon-tyne/12573498|title=Making Waves Radio Plays Tiktok Youtube Maya Mia Headon Tyne|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=19 August 2020 }}{{cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/reviews/wafia-170-russell-guido-farnell/FoYCCAsKDQw/28-01-20/|title=Wafia 170 Russell Guido Farnell}}{{cite web|url=https://theindustryobserver.thebrag.com/sony-music-signs-hotly-tipped-youngster-may-a/|title=Sony Music Signs Hotly Tipped Youngser May-a|last=Brandle|first=Lars|website=The Industry Observer|date= 7 October 2020}}
Her debut EP, Don't Kiss Ur Friends, was released on 6 August 2021. The EP debuted at number 31 on the ARIA Charts.{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/news/billie-eilish-holds-aria-charts-1-album-for-second-week-with-happier-than-ever|title=Billie Eilish holds ARIA Charts #1 album for second week with Happier Than Ever|website=ARIA Charts|date=13 August 2021|access-date=14 August 2021}}
In January 2023, May-a released "Sweat You Out My System".{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/may-a-enters-new-era-with-2023-single-sweat-you-out-my-system/101851994|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|title=MAY-A enters new era with 'Sweat You Out My System'|date=13 January 2023|access-date=14 January 2023}}
May-a topped Triple J Hottest 100, 2022 with a feature on Australian musician Flume's song "Say Nothing". The song was also featured in the 2022 Netflix show Heartbreak High.
In June 2023, May-a released "Lola" and announced her second EP Analysis Paralysis.{{cite web|url=https://readdork.com/news/may-a-ep-analysis/|title=MAY-A Has Announced NE EP for September. Check out new single 'LOLA' now.|website=Read Dork|date=30 June 2023| access-date=2 July 2023}}
Discography
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of EPs, with release date and label shown ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| EP details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:2.75em;font-size:85%;"| AUS Peaks in Australia:
|
|---|
| scope="row"| Don't Kiss Ur Friends
|
| 31 |
| scope="row"| Analysis Paralysis
| | 70 |
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
==As featured artist==
Awards and nominations
=AIR Awards=
The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2023
| "Say Nothing" (with Flume)
| Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single
| {{nom}}
|{{cite web|url= https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/nominees-announced-for-the-australian-independent-music-awards-2023/|title= Nominees Announced for the Australian Independent Music Awards 2023 |website=Music Feeds|date=31 May 2023|access-date=31 May 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/air-awards-2023-winners/|title=King Stingray and Genesis Owusu Win Big at 2023 AIR Awards |website=Music Feeds|date= 4 August 2023|access-date=5 August 2023}}
{{end}}
=APRA Awards=
The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". They commenced in 1982.{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |title=APRA History |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) |access-date=25 April 2022 }}
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 2023
| rowspan="2"| "Say Nothing" (Flume featuring May-a)
| Song of the Year
| {{won}}
| rowspan="2"|{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/2023-apra-song-of-the-year-nominees-announced/101888132 |title=These 20 songs are up for 2023 APRA Song Of The Year |website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=25 January 2023 |access-date=28 January 2023 }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about-us/news-and-events/nominees-revealed-for-the-2023-apra-music-awards|title=Nominees revealed for the 2023 APRA Music Awards|website=APRA Awards|date=30 March 2023|access-date=31 March 2023}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about/supporting-the-industry/awards/apra-music-awards-2023 |title=APRA AMCOS: 2023 APRA Music Awards |publisher=APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) |date= |access-date=28 April 2023 }}
|-
| Most Performed Dance/ Electronic Work of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 2024
| rowspan="1"| May-a (Maya Cumming)
| Emerging Songwriter of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1"| "Sweat You Out My System" by May-a (Maya Cumming p.k.a. May-a, Robby De Sá)
| Most Performed Alternative Work
| {{nom}}
{{end}}
=ARIA Music Awards=
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual ceremony presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.
{{Awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2021|| Don't Kiss Ur Friends || Breakthrough Artist || {{nom}}
| rowspan="1"|{{cite web |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ |title=ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge |work=The Music Network |date=20 October 2021 |access-date=24 October 2021 |author=Kelly, Vivienne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020000045/https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ |archive-date=20 October 2021 |url-status=live}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2022
| rowspan="3"| "Say Nothing" (Flume featuring May-a)
| {{nom}}
|-
| {{nom}}
|-
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2023
| Murli Dhir for May-a – "Lola"
| Best Video
| {{nominated}}
|{{cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/nominees-announced-for-2023-aria-awards/|title= Nominees Announced for 2023 ARIA Awards|website=Music Feeds|date=21 September 2023|access-date=24 September 2023}}
|-
{{end}}
=J Awards=
The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2022
| "Say Nothing" by Flume featuring Maya (directed by Michael Hili)
| Australian Video of the Year
| {{nom}}
|{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/heres-all-the-j-awards-2022-nominees/101597078|title=Here's all the J Awards 2022 nominees!|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=1 November 2022|access-date=3 November 2022 }}
{{end}}
=Rolling Stone Australia Awards=
The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.{{cite web |url=http://www.theaureview.com/news/rolling-stone-magazine-australia-announces-3rd-annual-awards-event |title=Rolling Stone Magazine Australia announces 3rd annual awards event |work=The AU Review |date=5 December 2011 |access-date=5 March 2021 |author=Barnes, Amelia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808174029/http://www.theaureview.com/news/rolling-stone-magazine-australia-announces-3rd-annual-awards-event |archive-date=8 August 2016 |url-status=dead}}
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2022
| May-a
| Best New Artist
| {{won}}
|-
{{end}}
=Vanda and Young Global Songwriting competition=
The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition is an annual competition that "acknowledges great songwriting whilst supporting and raising money for Nordoff-Robbins" and is coordinated by Albert Music and APRA AMCOS. It commenced in 2009.{{cite web|url=https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about/supporting-the-industry/competitions/vanda-young-global-songwriting-competition#_89667|title=About the Vanda Young Global Song Writing Competition|website= APRA AMCOS|access-date=12 March 2021}}
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2021
| "Time I Love to Waste"
| Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition
| style="background:tan;"| 3rd
|-
{{end}}