In 2007, after her split with Motown Universal, Mýa was finally free from creative restraints. Her lawyers gave her advice to either go through a lengthy legal process and sue or go independent. So, she decided to embark on a journey as an independent artist (via The Culture).
People often misguidedly ask when she's going to sing again but Mýa told Grazia that she takes it positively and doesn't get annoyed: "I've been independent and independent is a different world and a lot harder. It's a lot more fulfilling in some ways but you're less visible and less audible to the masses."
The arduous process of starting her label, Planet 9, kept Mýa extremely busy. She executive produced, self-engineered, self-funded, and released seven different compilations. "Planet 9 is where I create my own rules, and my own time which doesn't necessarily have to revolve around earthly days and months," she said (via Herald Sun). The learning curve slowed her star power, but now she's more familiar with the process. "I know it like the back of my hand but it's taken 10 years for that to happen," the singer said (via Vibe). Solo Mýa also has a unique relationship with fans, hiring them for various aspects of her work. One even created graphics for her "Smoove Jones" album cover, telling Vibe that watching them succeed brings her joy.
