GLOBAL POP SENSATION AVA MAX’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ALBUM TO COME OUT THIS YEAR
LAST year, Ava Max officially sealed her pop superstar status with the blockbuster success of the certified hit, “Sweet but Psycho.” The song spent three weeks in the Top 10 of Billboard’s “Hot 100,” peaking at No. 3 on USA Pop Radio. She continues her reign as “Princess of Pop” in 2020 as she unveils her first new song, “Kings & Queens.”
“Kings and Queens is about queens taking back the throne. It is also about having confidence in your own skin and loving who you are, enough to stand up to people who try to put you down,” Max said in an exclusive video interview with Music Geek, arranged by Vicky Malong of Warner Music Philippines.
The empowering new anthem is the first new song to be released from Max’s hugely anticipated debut album, due to arrive later this year.
“My fans can expect my debut album to be unapologetically tough and super fun, energetic songs. I would say a little bit of light and dark. It is a good mixture of both. Super fun and super dramatic,” she described.
Max became one of 2019’s most honored performers, including “Best New Artist” nominations at both the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards and the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards. The latter was highlighted by her first-ever win for “Best Push Artist” and showstopping live performances of both “Torn” and “Sweet But Psycho.”
Here’s the rest of Music Geek’s exclusive interview with the global pop sensation.
Whathasbeenthehighlight ofyourcareersofar?
Oh, that’s a tough one. I’ve had a lot of highlights in the past two years but I would have to say performing at Wembley Stadium at Capitol Jingle Ball.
Your songs have earned millions How does that make you feel?
It’s pretty crazy to know that just three years ago, I didn’t have much of anything on Spotify. I remember looking at my Spotify [then] and going like, “You know, I wish I just had like even 5 million or 1 million streams on one song.” So, seeing most of my songs having 50 to over a hundred million streams and “Sweet But Psycho” having 900 million streams, I can’t really put it into words. I just can tell you that I’m super grateful and I’m really happy people like my music.
With Sweet but Psycho turning out to be a phenomenal single for you, do you feel you have to out do the single every time you drop a new song?
I don’t think I look at it like that. I look at it as like, “OK, people really related to this song so I just hope they relate and get excited about other songs.” I think personally for me, when I make music, I want to get excited about it and if I get excited about it and I feel that you guys are going to get excited about it, that’s how I know it’s a good song.
What is music to you? Music to me is life. Without music, I feel life would be boring.
Who are your musical influences?
My musical influences have to be a lot of people in my family. My uncles growing up and music around the house. My mom singing around the house. My musical influences as an artist — I grew up listening to Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, really big vocalists.
What has fame taught you? Fame has taught me that we are all unique and different in our own way and I just want people to see that fame should never change anyone. Fame is not something you should want also because privacy is an important thing. If I could take out fame and just make music, I would.
How do you keep yourself grounded?
I keep myself grounded by staying close to my family and friends and spending time working out. I love to work out and taking care of my mental health.
How has the Covid-19 pandemic It definitely has impacted me and my family in a really big way. We are definitely fearful and very uncertain of the future. There’s really nothing to say but keep our hopes up. So we’re just trying to stay positive but it definitely has affected me in a really interesting way and definitely becoming more patient.
Your message to your Filipino fans?
I love all my Filipino Avatars! I wish I can see you soon. Hopefully sometime later this year or early next year. I love you so much and stay safe! Mwah!
Follow the author on Instagram: markbonifacio25.